"Music, for me, is akin to a fresh revelation," divulged the Grammy-adorned vocalist. "I'm embarking on a journey of rediscovery." Rihanna, keeping her devoted followers abreast with the progress of her eagerly anticipated ninth album, aptly titled R9, cautioned against any imminent expectations.
At the grand unveiling of her Fenty Hair line in Los Angeles on Monday, the Grammy-honored singer offered Entertainment Tonight an exclusive update on her musical endeavors, simultaneously dispelling whispers of her retirement. "Music, to me, is a fresh chapter in my life," Rihanna expressed, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. "I'm embarking on a new journey. The album has been a labor of love for so long that I momentarily set it aside, but now I'm poised to delve into the studio once again. Here I go — just a moment!"
The chanteuse behind the hit "Work" emphasized that she's not hurrying her creative endeavors, which involve both refining existing tracks and birthing new melodies. "Indeed, I'm starting afresh," she elaborated, her voice laced with determination. "But I don't want to disregard the songs I've already crafted. Hence, I intend to revisit them with fresh ears and a renewed perspective, to determine which ones resonate with me still."
Since the release of her 2016 opus 'Anti,' which garnered Grammy nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Recording Package, Rihanna has kept her fans eagerly waiting for a new studio album.
The Grammy-nominated artist behind the hit "Lift Me Up" also quashed rumors of her musical retirement, sparked by a sighting of her strolling in New York City with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, adorned in a tee that boldly read, "I'm Retired." Rihanna quipped, "The word 'retired' set tongues wagging, making people think, 'We'll never get a new album now.' But no one noticed the other line which read, 'This is as dressed up as I get.'"
In April, the Oscar-nominated singer tantalized ET, revealing that she already had tracks for a potential new album that were "exceptionally captivating." "I've got material that I believe has the potential to become hits," Rihanna confessed, her eyes sparkling with confidence. She added, with a grin, "Rocky and I are truly debating who should utilize which tracks because they're so exceptional."
