After nearly a decade of anticipation, Rihanna has finally confirmed that her ninth studio album—dubbed R9 by fans—is officially in the works. However, the global superstar is making one thing clear: she’s taking her time to ensure it’s worth the wait.
In a new cover story for Harper’s Bazaar, the 37-year-old artist, mogul, and mother of two revealed that she has been in the studio for the past eight years, searching for the sound that matches her artistic evolution. Now, she says, she’s finally found it.
Rihanna has not released an album since 2016’s Anti, which became one of the most critically acclaimed records of her career. Despite the hiatus, she continues to see strong sales, selling over one million album units in 2024 alone. While rumors have circulated about R9’s direction, including speculation of a reggae influence, Rihanna clarified that she is not adhering to a specific genre.
“There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited,” she explained. “Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth. It’s not matching my evolution. I can’t do this. I can’t stand by this. I can’t perform this for a year on tour.’”
She emphasized that after such a long break, her return had to be meaningful. “This much time away from music needs to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre.”
In the years since Anti, Rihanna has expanded her business empire, launching new ventures with Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, while also becoming a mother to two sons, RZA and Riot, with her partner A$AP Rocky. Though she has spent years recording, she described feeling unsettled with earlier attempts at an album. Now, she says, she is confident in her next body of work.
“I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio digestible,” she said. “It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now.”
While fans continue to speculate about when R9 will drop, Rihanna has not shared a timeline. However, she expressed optimism about where she is in the creative process, suggesting that after years of uncertainty, she is now fully committed to delivering an album on her own terms.
“I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work. I am actually feeling really good about this. I know I kept saying this over the years,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.
For now, the wait continues—but Rihanna insists it will be worth it. Few artists can step away for nearly a decade and still command this level of anticipation, proving that when she returns, the world will be listening.
