Is Rihanna’s New Album Really Happening?

After nearly a decade of anticipation, Rihanna has finally hinted that new music is on the horizon. Fans have been eagerly awaiting her ninth studio album—dubbed “R9” by her loyal followers—since the release of Anti in 2016. While she has teased new projects before, this time, it seems like she may actually be ready to drop fresh tracks.

During a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Rihanna shared insights into her creative process and the reasons behind the lengthy delay. She admitted that she had recorded multiple songs over the years, only to scrap them because they did not align with her personal growth and artistic evolution. She stated, “I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work. I’m actually feeling really good about this.”

However, fans should temper their excitement as she has not provided a specific release date. The artist emphasized that she refused to release an album just for the sake of it, wanting instead to create music that resonates with her current state of mind. “This much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears. It has to matter,” she explained.

One of the most intriguing aspects of her upcoming work is her assertion that the music will not be “commercial or radio digestible.” This raises questions about the sound and direction of the album. Will Rihanna introduce an entirely new genre or aesthetic? Given her influence, there is also the possibility that what she considers unconventional now could redefine mainstream music upon release.

The speculation surrounding R9 brings to mind past highly anticipated albums, such as Chinese Democracy by Guns N’ Roses, which took 15 years to complete and ultimately failed to live up to expectations. Could Rihanna face the same challenge, or does she have the star power to make any project a success regardless of how long it takes?

Despite the uncertainty, one thing is clear: whenever Rihanna does decide to release her album, it will be a major cultural event. Fans are eager to hear how she has evolved musically and whether she can once again shape the sound of contemporary pop and R&B. Until then, we wait.