Rihanna’s New Album Release in 2025: Everything We Know About Her 9th Record After 9 Years of Anticipation

Over the past decade, the absence of a new Rihanna album has led many to view her primarily as a successful entrepreneur, model, and fashion mogul. Despite numerous product launches in recent years, music fans have been left eagerly anticipating her next album. The year 2023 marked her return to the spotlight with a captivating performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, igniting excitement about her musical contributions that have been sorely missed.

Rihanna last graced us with new music in 2016, with the release of her critically acclaimed album, Anti. Since then, she has teased her fans with glimpses of a forthcoming album, often referred to as R9. In 2019, a playful Instagram post featured a dancing dog, humorously captioned, “me listening to R9 by myself and refusing to release it.”Fast forward to June 2024, and she told Entertainment Tonight that she is “starting over, ”generating curiosity about her future plans.

Why Rihanna Hasn’t Released A New Album Since 2016

Rihanna Has Diversified into Multiple Ventures

While fans await new music, it’s essential to recognize that Rihanna has been busily cultivating her entrepreneurial spirit. Her Fenty empire comprises two hugely successful brands, each valued in the billions.Fenty Beauty, launched in 2017, set a new standard in the beauty industry by emphasizing inclusivity and quality.

The following year, she introduced Savage X Fenty, a lingerie line that similarly focuses on empowering individuals of all body types. Together, these ventures have elevated her net worth to an astounding $1.4 billion as of 2025, indicating her influence and success far beyond music.

On a personal note, Rihanna’s role as a mother has further enriched her life. She shares two children with fellow artist A$AP Rocky, and their relationship has blossomed into a celebrity power couple dynamic. Their family began with the birth of their son, RZA Athelson Mayers, in 2022, and Rihanna’s second pregnancy was first revealed during her Super Bowl performance in 2023.

Musically, Rihanna has not completely stepped away. In 2022, she delivered the emotionally charged song “Lift Me Up”for the Black Panther soundtrack, which was celebrated as one of the standout original songs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Moreover, she collaborated on tracks such as Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning “Loyalty” in 2017 and appeared in several films, including the ensemble flick Ocean’s 8.

What Rihanna Has Said About Making A New Album

She Has Continuously Teased Its Release

Rihanna on an alien planet for her song 'Sledgehammer' from the Star Trek soundtrack

For years, chatter about R9 has persisted, largely fueled by Rihanna’s own hints. The singer frequently mentions the album, making promises that often go unfulfilled. In 2018, she cheekily responded “2019”to a fan inquiry on Instagram about the album’s release date.

“I’ve tried every genre – now I’m just, I’m wide open. I can make anything that I want.”- Rihanna, British Vogue, 2020

In 2020, Rihanna revealed to Rolling Stone that she was exploring multiple albums, including pop and reggae styles, but these were not released. By that same year, she proclaimed she was “very aggressively working on music.”At one point, fans felt R9 was within reach when she claimed to British Vogue that it would be “ridiculous”not to release an album in 2023, yet that year came and went without new music.

Could A New Rihanna Album Be Released In 2025?

RiRi Has Indicated She Is Back in the Studio

Recently, speculation about R9 has reignited due to Rihanna’s comments regarding her future in music. In summer 2024, she was spotted wearing a shirt that read “I’m Retired, ”leading her devoted fan base, known as the Navy, to worry she might be hinting at her retirement. However, she quickly dismissed these rumors, maintaining her commitment to returning to the studio with a fresh perspective.

Rihanna expressed her intent to revisit elements of the album that resonate with her while reworking those that no longer do. While fans crave concrete updates, Rihanna’s track record of vague hints often leads to disappointment. As anticipation builds, only time will reveal what 2025 may hold for the beloved artist.

Sources: Forbes, Entertainment Tonight, Vulture, Vogue, Hollywood Reporter