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Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest female musician in the world, worth around $1.4 billion USD. Although she has diversified away from the music industry with her Fenty brands, her music has remained relevant throughout the years. 

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She has not released a new album since 2016’s “Anti”; with very few exceptions, there has not been much in the way of new music at all. Anticipation for a new album has been growing for some time now, especially with her occasional comments over the years that suggested something was coming soon. However, with her most recent performance at the Super Bowl, suspense has reached a boiling point - will she release her ninth album anytime soon?

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Rihanna’s Career

Rihanna is incredibly successful, selling well over 250 million copies of her work. She is often listed in the “top 3” female singers, along the likes of Madonna and Celine Dion.

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Her professional career started in 2004, when she attracted the attention of Evan Rogers, an American record producer. This led to an audition with Jay Z, and her signing to Def Jam Records. She released her first smash hit “Pon De Replay” in 2005, and since has released 14 songs that went to #1, and countless other hits as well.

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New Music Promises

In 2020, Rihanna acknowledged that she is taking a long time to release new music, but she has promised that it would be “worth the wait”. In late 2022, she released two singles; “Lift Me Up” and “Born Again” for Black Panter: Wakanda Forever. However, her ninth album (reportedly titled “R9”) is nowhere to be seen, and it has been expected for a very long time now. 

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Her Super Bowl Performance

Given the hype surrounding her next album’s release, fans expected her halftime performance to come with an album/tour announcement. Instead, she shocked the world in a different way, floating around the field teasing a second pregnancy instead. The pregnancy was later confirmed.

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Her 13-minute performance was packed with 12 of her greatest hits. She absolutely nailed all of them while suspended in the air on moving platforms. Doing all of this while pregnant is truly extraordinary.

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In an interview with Time, Rihanna cited that the performance was important for representation; for her to be a good role model to inspire those watching. She also noted that narrowing down the setlist, and the physical intensity of the performance were challenges that she had to overcome. Later, she said that she is open to creating new music, “things that are different, things that are off”.

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Soon after the performance, Rihanna’s hits appeared back on the charts in 149 countries, and her Apple Music listener count increased by 331%. If she were to announce upcoming music, this year would be a great time - especially now that she is back on everyone’s radar.

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So, What’s Next?

During her first pregnancy, she said that she was going to focus on “one thing at a time” with regards to releasing new music. With another baby on the way, that probably is going to push things back a bit.

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However, with regards to the upcoming release, she also said that “you’re not gonna expect what you hear. Just put that in your mind”. With seven years to experiment and develop a new sound, she has assured fans that what she releases will not be disappointing.

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There is no question Rihanna is incredibly talented, and she will not release anything she isn’t fully confident in. If she can shock the world by putting on an excellent half time show while pregnant, we can only assume that what’s coming is going to be great - however long it may take. 

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Rihanna’s FULL Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

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