“I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at,” singer says

Rihanna once again teased her long-awaited new album — dubbed R9 by fans — during a red carpet appearance for her Fenty makeup Saturday.Asked about the follow-up to 2016’s Anti, Rihanna told Extra, “It’s gonna be amazing.

It has to be — that is the only reason it’s not out yet. If I’m not feeling it and I’m not feeling like it represents the evolution, the time I spent away. There should be a show of growth, right? I want to play, and I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at.”Rihanna’s latest R9 comments come over a year after she said —while promoting her Super Bowl halftime show — that she expected the album to arrive in 2023. (It didn’t.) “I want it to be this year. Like, honestly, it’d be ridiculous if it’s not this year,” the singer said in February 2023.

“But I just want to have fun. I just want to make music and make videos… And I need the right background music with the visuals. I can’t just go shoot a video to me talking.”

After reportedly recording over 500 songs for the dancehall-flavored follow-up, Rihanna likened listening to unreleased songs at the time to “almost like trying to dress like you used to dress. It’s like, ‘Ew, no. I would never wear those again.’ Your taste changes, your vibe changes.”When asked by Extra Saturday if R9 would feature any special guests, Rihanna admitted, “I’m not a big collaborator… It has to be very intentional, so I’ll know when I have the record.”

Rihanna’s latest tease about her upcoming album, known as ‘R9’, has sent waves of excitement through her fan base, who have been eagerly awaiting new music from the renowned artist. With each tantalizing hint she drops, anticipation for the album’s release only continues to grow.

In her latest statement, Rihanna expressed confidence that ‘R9’ is going to be nothing short of amazing. This declaration has only fueled speculation about what fans can expect from the album, leaving them eagerly speculating about its sound, themes, and overall impact on the music industry.

For Rihanna, the journey to ‘R9’ has been marked by a deliberate and meticulous approach to her craft. After taking a hiatus from music to focus on other ventures, including her successful makeup and fashion lines, she has returned to the studio with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity. With each passing day, the anticipation mounts as fans eagerly await the unveiling of her latest musical masterpiece.

The excitement surrounding ‘R9’ is not just limited to Rihanna’s fan base; it extends to the music industry as a whole. As one of the most influential and innovative artists of her generation, Rihanna has the ability to set trends and push boundaries with her music. With ‘R9’, she has the opportunity to once again redefine the landscape of pop and R&B music, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

In the lead-up to the album’s release, Rihanna has been teasing fans with snippets of new music and tantalizing hints about the album’s direction. Each teaser serves to heighten the anticipation and build excitement for what promises to be one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year.

As the release date for ‘R9’ draws nearer, fans eagerly await the moment when they can finally immerse themselves in Rihanna’s latest musical offering. With her unparalleled talent, creativity, and dedication to her craft, there is no doubt that ‘R9’ is destined to be nothing short of amazing.