Rihanna Returns to Studio After Eight-Year Album Hiatus, A$AP Rocky Confirms

Rihanna has returned to the recording studio for new music, with her partner A$AP Rocky confirming the project during a recent podcast interview. The confirmation marks a significant development in the long-anticipated ninth album from the Barbadian artist, who has not released a full body of work since 2016's Anti. The pair, who share three children, denied plans for a collaborative double album.

Studio Confirmation and Project Details

During an appearance on The Jason Lee podcast, A$AP Rocky disclosed that Rihanna is currently working on new material. "She in the studio right now," the rapper said, adding that she is "cooking" with the creative process. When pressed about whether he was responsible for the extended absence from music, Rocky denied the claim and reiterated her active involvement in recording.

The rapper acknowledged the sensitivity of the announcement, joking that he would "get in trouble" for revealing the information. Few additional details about the musical direction or release timeline emerged from the interview, though Rocky explicitly stated that the couple would not be recording a joint album together.

Years of Anticipation and Previous Statements

The 38-year-old has previously expressed optimism about returning to music. In February of last year, she told Harper's Bazaar that she felt "really optimistic" about completing an album, stating, "I feel like I've finally cracked it, girl!" She emphasized her commitment to quality, saying she could not release anything below her standards after an eight-year wait.

This latest confirmation arrives after multiple previous announcements about upcoming music that failed to materialize. In 2018, reports indicated she was recording two albums simultaneously—one pop and one reggae-inspired—with a planned 2019 release. By 2020, she told Vogue she was working "very aggressively" on music. In 2021, she described herself as "experimenting" in the studio. Despite headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2023, she performed no new original music from the project.

Career Beyond Music

Over the past decade, Rihanna has built a multibillion-dollar business empire outside music. Her cosmetics brand Fenty and lingerie company have become major commercial successes, contributing to a net worth estimated by Forbes at over one billion dollars. She has released occasional singles tied to film projects, including "Lift Me Up" for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.