Rihanna is helping us usher in New Music Friday with the release of her first solo single in six years.
After begging and pleading from fans, Queen Riri finally answered our prayers in the most epic way possible - she has collaborated with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to produce music for the film’s soundtrack.
Her song Lift Me Up was released at midnight on Friday and serves as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa/Black Panther in the first Black Panther film in 2018. The actor passed away in 2020 after a silent battle with cancer.
Singer Tems, who co-wrote the song with Rihanna, says Lift Me Up aims to commemorate all those she’s lost in her life.
"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," she said in a press release.
Rihanna teased the single on Instagram earlier this week and on Thursday, announced its release alongside a black and white photograph.
The Fenty Beauty founder also stepped out with her beau ASAP Rocky at the film’s World Premier on Wednesday night. This was the first public appearance for the couple since welcoming their son in May.
Lift Me Up is the first solo song from the star since her eighth studio album Anti was released in 2016. She did, however, pop up on the PARTYNEXTDOOR song "Believe It" in 2020, and also featured on the N.E.R.D. song "Lemon" in 2017.
Listen to Lift Me Up below:
