Full Breakdown
Rihanna Returns to the Studio: New Music in the Works
8/6/2026, 8:27:45 PM
Core Update: Rocky Confirms Studio Sessions
In an interview on *The Jason Lee Show*, rapper A$AP Rocky—real name Rakim May Mayers—said that his partner, singer-songwriter Rihanna, is currently recording new material. He dismissed speculation that their relationship, family responsibilities, or her business ventures were delaying the project, adding that he might “get in trouble” for revealing the information.
Background & Context
Rihanna (Robyn Fenty), the nine-time Grammy winner from Barbados, released her last full-length album, Anti, in 2016. The record spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced hits such as “Work,” “Needed Me,” and “Love on the Brain.” Since then, she has focused on motherhood—welcoming three children with Rocky between 2022 and 2025—and expanded her entrepreneurial portfolio with Fenty Beauty (launched 2017) and Savage X Fenty lingerie.
Despite occasional singles—2022’s Oscar-nominated “Lift Me Up” for *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* and 2025’s “Friend of Mine” for *The Smurfs* soundtrack—fans have awaited a full follow-up to *Anti*. Rihanna herself has repeatedly emphasized the pressure to surpass that album, describing it as “the most brilliant” and “the most cohesive” of her career. She has said she will not release anything “mediocre” and wants the next project to reflect her artistic growth.
Timeline of Recent Milestones
- 2016 – Release of *Anti*.
- 2022 – “Lift Me Up” single; Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
- 2023 – Super Bowl LVII halftime performance; public confirmation of pregnancy with Rocky.
- 2025 – “Friend of Mine” soundtrack single; live appearance with Jay-Z at Yankee Stadium.
- January 2026 – Photographs show Rihanna entering a New York recording studio.
- February 2026 – Rihanna posts a day-in-the-life video mentioning a studio session and a Mardi Gras costume for her son.
Data & Statistics
- Net worth (estimated by Forbes): > $1 billion.
- Billboard Hot 100: 14 number-one hits.
- Grammy Awards: nine wins.
- Album sales: *Anti* remains a streaming powerhouse a decade after release.
Official Statements & Responses
- Rihanna (various interviews): She described *Anti* as her “most brilliant” album and explained that the pressure to exceed it made her hesitant to release a follow-up. She said the creative process involved “phases” and “searching” for the right direction, noting that the project would not be “commercial or radio-digestible” but would reflect where her artistry “deserves to be right now.”
- He also refused to comment on whether the couple is married.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Early interviews indicated that Rihanna intended a reggae-infused album, citing a 2019 Vogue comment that “reggae is in my blood.” The shift from a reggae concept to an undefined style remains unconfirmed, and no official release date or tracklist has been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Nah… She in the studio right now. Yeah, I said it. Sorry, babe,” — Best Original Song. Rocky
What’s Next
Rocky’s confirmation provides the clearest public indication that recording is underway, but neither Rihanna nor her team has announced a release timetable. Fans and industry observers will be watching for any future statements from Rihanna or her representatives regarding the album’s direction, completion status, or launch plan.
