Rihanna is back with “Lift Me Up,” her first new solo track in over six years.
Created for the highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, “Lift Me Up” is the first fresh Rihanna track since she released Anti in 2016. It’s actually her first appearance on any song since she collaborated with PartyNextDoor for “Believe It” for his 2020 album Partymobile.
Tems, a “Lift Me Up” co-writer, offered up some details prior to its arrival. “After speaking with Ryan [Coogler, director/co-writer] and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life,” Tems stated, noting it’s a tribute to late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
Rihanna’s obviously been plenty busy with her Fenty Beauty brand, and gave birth to her first child with ASAP Rocky in May, but to say that her return to music is long-awaited is to put it lightly. Listen to “Lift Me Up” from Wakanda Forever below.
The arrival of the single comes just over a month after it was confirmed that Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl LVII halftime show on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona. She recently gave a TMZ paparazzo some brief remarks about her upcoming performance. “I’m nervous but I’m excited,” she said. They also quizzed Rihanna on whether Rocky could show up, to which she replied, “Maybe, girl.”