Rihanna Shares Status Of Long-Awaited New Album, Says She Can’t Release “Anything Mediocre”

In a new cover story feature for Harper’s Bazaar, Rihanna reflects on her highly-anticipated ninth album and expresses optimism and pride in finally creating music that aligns with her artistic vision after a nine-year hiatus following 2016’s chart-topping, Anti. “This feels right,” Rihanna says of her new project, which fans have dubbed, ‘R9.’ “It feels like it digs right into where I need to be, and I want this. This body needs to come out, and I’m ready to go there. This is becoming my new freedom.” RiRi emphasized that the album is “not going to be commercial or radio digestible,” and will instead reflect “where my artistry deserves to be right now.” Rihanna didn’t provide any specific details or potential release date for ‘R9,’ but insists that when it does arrive, it will be worth waiting for. “It has to count. It has to matter,” she says of her forthcoming album. “I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre.” (Rolling Stone)