Rihanna has shared new insights regarding her forthcoming album, marking her first release since 2016.
Creative Journey Over Eight Years
In a recent interview with Harper Bazaar, the artist talked about her creative journey over the past eight years. “I have been in the studio for eight years. But this did not strike me. I was seeking this. I went through various stages of what I wanted to achieve. ‘This album, not this album,’” she remarked.
Defining the Direction of Her Artistry
Rihanna elaborated on the direction of her new material, stating: “I know that this will not be what anyone expects. It won’t be commercial or radio-friendly. It will be where my artistry deserves to be at this moment. I feel I finally cracked it, girl!”
Addressing earlier speculations about the album’s sound, she dismissed previous claims of it featuring a reggae genre. “There is no genre now. That’s why I was waiting,” she explained. “Each time I just thought, ‘No, this is not me. This isn’t right. This doesn’t reflect my growth. I can’t do this. I can’t support it. I can’t undertake this during a year on tour.’”
She added, “After a while, I reflected on it, realizing that as much time as I’ve spent away from music, the next thing everyone hears should be significant. It needs to matter. I must show them the value of anticipation. I can’t release anything mediocre. After eight years, a little more waiting won’t hurt.”
