Fans eagerly awaiting new music from Rihanna may have to exercise a little more patience, but the global superstar is finally opening up about the creative journey behind her next project.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the “Diamonds” singer revealed that Anti (2016), her last studio album, remains the only one in her catalog she enjoys listening to in full—a rare admission from an artist who is famously critical of her own work.
‘Anti’ Is the Only Album She Listens To
Rihanna candidly shared her unique relationship with her own music, explaining that she typically struggles to listen to her past work.
However, Anti, which features hits like “Consideration,” “Kiss It Better,” and “Needed Me,” is an exception.
“I listen to Anti from top to bottom with no shame. I used to always have shame. I actually don’t like listening to my music, but Anti—I can listen to the album,” she said.
The singer further elaborated on why the album resonates so deeply with her, describing an almost out-of-body experience when revisiting it.
“It’s like it’s not me singing it, if I’m just listening to it. That’s the one album that I can have an out-of-body experience with, where it’s not like… You know when you hear your voice in a voicemail, and it’s like, ‘Ugh,’” she explained.
Why the Long Wait for New Music?
With an eight-year gap since Anti, speculation about Rihanna’s next album has been rampant.
Some rumors suggested it would be a reggae-focused project, but she firmly dismissed that notion.
“Way off!” she said regarding the reggae speculation. “There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited. 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.’”
Rihanna emphasized the importance of making the time away from music count, explaining that she refused to return with anything mediocre.
“This much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears. It has to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.”
New Music Is Coming—But With No Expectations
Despite the long delay, Rihanna assured fans that she is finally in the right creative space and feeling confident about her new work.
“I’m feeling really optimistic. This feels right. It feels like it digs right into where I need to be, and I want this. This body [of work] needs to come out, and I’m ready to go there.”
She also reflected on how motherhood has influenced her creative process. Now, every moment spent in the studio is more intentional.
“This is becoming my new freedom because when I’m in the studio, I know that my time away from my kids is to blossom something that hasn’t been watered in eight years. I’ve been in the studio the whole eight years, but it didn’t hit me. I was searching for it. I went through phases of what I wanted to do—‘This kind of album, not that album.’ I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects.”
While Rihanna has yet to confirm a release date or reveal specific details about her upcoming album, her words signal that she is finally nearing a creative breakthrough.
For now, fans will have to hold on a little longer—but if her track record is any indication, the wait will be well worth it.
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