Rihanna assures fans 'R9' album is coming - 'Music is a new discovery'
The singer has confirmed that she has not retired and still has plans to release her highly anticipated ninth studio album...
Rihanna caused a stir this week when she was spotted out and about in New York City wearing a T-shirt that read, 'I'm Retired. This is as dressed up as I can get'.
Her fans were quick to speculate that there was a deeper meaning behind the casual tee.
Some believed it was her way of saying she is in no rush to get back into the studio to record her long-awaited album, which fans have dubbed 'R9'.
However, speaking to Entertainment Tonight (ET) at the launch party of Fenty Hair, Rihanna says that couldn't be further from the truth.
"People got triggered with that retired word. They were like ‘We’re never getting an album now.’ No one read the other line, it was something about, ‘This is as dressed up as I get.'”
The 36-year-old says is she will definitely make a comeback.
"I think that music, for me, is a new discovery. I'm rediscovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside and now I'm prepared to go back in the studio. I'm gonna start -- give me a second!" she said.
Rihanna seen rocking a “I’m retired” t-shirt. pic.twitter.com/kvBZ1diWOe
— HARDEST FIT PICS (@HardestFitPics) June 7, 2024
MORE FROM EAST COAST RADIO:
Rihanna also told ET that she has been revisiting some of her old songs and listening to them with new ears.
"I'm starting over, but I don’t want to neglect the songs that I have, so I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears, with my new perspective and then see what applies and what I'm still in love with."
‘R9’ update! 🚨 Rihanna reveals she is “starting over” and is NOW prepared to go in the studio to work on her highly-anticipated album. #FentyHair pic.twitter.com/L1szsVfNYn
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) June 11, 2024
The Grammy Award-winner last released an album in 2016. She has since released a few songs, including 'Life Me Up', which she recorded for the 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' movie soundtrack.
She has spent the past few years working on her Fenty Beauty brand and has been in no hurry to return to music.
Despite her music career taking a backseat to her business ventures, Rihanna's songs continue to do well.
She recently became the first female musician in history to have the most diamond-certified songs.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified her song, 'Diamonds', in April 2024.
Thirteen other Rihanna songs have had their certifications updated since then. 'Umbrella', 'Stay', 'Work', and 'Needed Me' reached diamond status in May.
Rihanna told Extra TV at the Fenty Hair launch that the new certifications were a reminder of how she needs to approach her next album.
"It really was a testament to my and the quality of music... I want things to be timeless, just like 'Diamonds' - things that touch people. The way my fans have continued to listen to my music without me putting music out. Hitting records when you're in a whole other headspace is nuts!"
ALSO READ: Un-skippable! Ed Sheeran loves Olivia Rodrigo's songs
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
1. Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
2. Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
3. Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
4. Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606
5. Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
· TikTok
Main image credit: Instagram/@yusefhairnyc