(UPDATE 12:30PM EST): Rihanna confirms song “Lift Me Up” in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Look at the singer’s post here.
“Lift Me Up” was written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Panther director Ryan Coogler. The track is RiRi’s first solo single since 2016’s “Love on the Brain.” The song is a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman who played T’Challa in the first film.
“After speaking with Ryan 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. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” said Tems in a statement per The Hollywood Reporter. “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
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Rihanna is back.
Six years after RiRi released Anti, Marvel has seemingly confirmed reports that the “We Found Love” singer has made her return to music in the upcoming Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. On Tuesday (Oct. 25), the film studio teased a muted snippet while zooming in on the first “R” in “Forever.”
“Forever” begins to fade into the background with the “R” remaining alongside the date “10-28-22” plastered below. Rihanna commented under the cryptic post with a heart emoji and the cross-arm emoji symbolizing Wakanda’s greeting.
Fans couldn’t hold back their excitement in the comment section. Black Ink Crew’s Puma commented,” New RiRi [eyes emoji]” while another fan joked, “It better not be a collaboration with Fenty Beauty.”
This news comes on the heels of rumors that Rihanna is set to go on tour following her 2023 Super Bowl performance according to Hits Daily Double. The report said that the singer allegedly recorded two songs for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It’s possible that if new music should arrive Friday that it could be just one of the songs or that both could drop the same day.
Rihanna and the NFL confirmed her Super Bowl performance in September. The superstar posted a photo of herself holding an NFL-branded football and simply captioned the post with a “.”
TMZ got a hold of RiRi while she was out shopping in Los Angeles earlier this month when they asked her how she felt about headlining the Super Bowl.
“I’m nervous! But I’m excited,” she responded. TMZ then asked the singer who would she be bringing on stage with her. The cameraperson then got specific and asked if RiRi would be bringing her boo A$AP Rocky on stage and she replied, “Maybe, girl.”
RiRi is going to be busy for the next few weeks. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to premiere on November 11, but the beauty mogul is also gearing up for her Savage X Fenty: Vol. 4 fashion show.
“The trailblazing event is raising the bar yet again with a new all-star lineup of models, actors, some of the biggest names in music, and more, debuting the latest Savage x Fenty styles,” a press statement reads per Harpers Bazaar. “A seductive fashion fever dream, this year’s show blends Emmy award-winning choreography, style, and music with the hypnotic essence of nocturnal nature.”
Savage X Fenty: Vol. 4 will be exclusively on Prime Video on Nov. 9.