Rihanna is 'in the studio', says partner A$AP Rocky

What the report says

Rihanna may be nearing a return to full-length music after a long gap, according to comments made by her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, in a recent podcast interview covered by BBC World News. Rocky said Rihanna was “in the studio” and suggested she was working on new material, while declining to say much more about the project. He also rejected the idea that the couple might be preparing a joint double album.

The BBC notes that Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Fenty, has not released a studio album since 2016’s Anti. Since then, she has issued some singles, including the film-linked track Lift Me Up in 2022, while building her business empire through brands such as Fenty Beauty and a lingerie line. The article also recalls that Rihanna said last year she felt optimistic about making a new album, though she stressed she would not rush out music she considered below her standards.

The latest comments are significant because Rihanna has not put out a full album for nearly a decade, making any sign of new work closely watched by fans and the music industry. The BBC also reported that Rocky avoided confirming whether he and Rihanna were married, and said little else about the project beyond describing her as “cooking.”