ANI | Updated:Aug 06, 2026 15:24IST
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Washington [US], August 6 (ANI): Rihanna’s long-awaited return to music appears to be gathering momentum after A$AP Rocky revealed that the global superstar is actively recording new material, offering fans the clearest update yet on her first full-length album since 2016’s ‘ANTI.’
Speaking in a recent interview, the rapper dismissed the popular belief that their relationship, growing family and Rihanna’s business commitments had delayed her musical comeback, as per People magazine.
“Nah,” Rocky said when asked about the theory, adding, “She in the studio right now. Yeah, I said it. Sorry, babe,” as quoted by People magazine.
He added, “Bro, she working. She cooking, no funny s—. Damn, I’mma get in trouble for this.”
The comments have reignited excitement among Rihanna’s fanbase, which has waited nearly a decade for a follow-up to ‘ANTI’.
Released in 2016, the album spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced several major hits, including ‘Work,’ ‘Needed Me’ and ‘Love on the Brain.’
Although Rihanna has not released another studio album since then, she has remained a major presence in entertainment.
In 2023, she returned to the live stage with the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII halftime show, performing a string of career-defining hits including ‘We Found Love,’ ‘Diamonds,’ ‘Work’ and ‘Umbrella.’
The performance also became a widely discussed cultural moment when she revealed she was expecting her second child with Rocky.
Away from music, Rihanna has expanded her business empire through Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty while embracing motherhood.
She and Rocky welcomed their first son, RZA, in 2022, followed by their second son, Riot, in 2023, and their daughter, Rocki, in 2025.
Even without a new album, Rihanna has continued to release occasional music. In 2025, she featured on ‘Friend of Mine’ for ‘The Smurfs’ soundtrack. Before that, she returned with ‘Lift Me Up’ from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
Rocky’s update follows Rihanna’s own recent indication that she has resumed studio work. Earlier this year, she shared a behind-the-scenes video showing part of her daily routine, telling fans, “I have to go to the studio after this. And I have to make a Mardi Gras costume for my son after the studio … Longest day ever.”
More recently, Rihanna also reunited with Jay-Z on stage during his July ‘Extra Innings’ show at Yankee Stadium, performing ‘Run This Town’ and ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’. (ANI)
