Rihanna is back with ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack

Rihanna is making her highly anticipated return to music with the release of “Lift Me Up.” It is the lead single from Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Rihanna teased the song on her Twitter account on Thursday, posting a short clip along with the caption ‘lift me up 10.28.22.’

The short video clip featured Rihanna humming while the letter R logo popped in and out. The pop star confirmed the release of her comeback song on Friday, October 28. After five years, this is her first song as she focused on growing her lingerie and makeup line, Fenty. 

Rihanna’s last song was ‘Lemon.’ It’s a collab with N.E.R.D. in 2017, while her previous album Anti was released in 2016. During her music career hiatus, she announced her first pregnancy with her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky. According to reports, she gave birth to a baby boy in May.  

lift me up
10.28.22 pic.twitter.com/hIvhUQP8Bj

— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 26, 2022

Ludwig Göransson, Tems, director Ryan Coogler, and Rihanna herself wrote the song. ‘Lift me Up’ is a tribute to the legacy of the original Black Panther superhero, Chadwick Boseman. He played King T’Challa and died of colon cancer in 2020. The song will have an advance release before the movie premieres on Nov.11. Although there’s a song teaser on Rihanna’s post, there’s very little detail about the style and sound of her new song. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever song producers

Tems said, “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 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. Rihanna has inspired me, so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”

Furthermore, Rihanna’s own record label, Westbury Road, will release ‘Lift Me Up’ in partnership with Roc Nation, Hollywood Records, and Def Jam Recordings. The other movie soundtracks will be available on November 4. 

Marvel’s collaboration with the pop singer is a significant feat. After having Kendrick Lamar and SZA as writers for the soundtrack of the first ‘Black Panther,’ ‘All the Stars.’ The original song scored several Grammy and Oscar nominations. In a press release, Marvel said the new music “ushers in the next era of Rihanna’s iconic career.”

After 6 years, Rihanna officially returns to music this Friday. pic.twitter.com/oheWmyVOKw

— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 26, 2022

Following the original, fans expect ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ to be another huge box-office hit. This new Black Panther centers more around female power as the Wakanda leaders stood up after their leader’s death. The kingdom will continue to protect its nation against invading world conquerors.

In addition, this news intensifies Rihanna’s major comeback. It extends as she will headline the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in February 2023. It was a surprise to many after her long songwriting hiatus. Although there are photographs of her going on and about in her recording studio, any details on her next album stay limited.

Aside from her return to music, the pop star is also busy preparing for her Savage X Fenty fashion show. Amazon Prime Video will exclusively have coverage of this fashion event. Fashion industries’ huge names, such as Avani Gregg, Cara Delevigne, Bella Poarch, and Ángela Aguilar, will make appearances. In addition, Don Toliver, Anitta, Burna Boy, and Maxwell will perform on the show.