Rihanna Reveals Her Favorite Album and Gives Exciting Update on Her Next Project

Rihanna, the global music icon and business mogul, has finally revealed which of her eight studio albums she loves to listen to the most. In a rare interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Barbadian superstar shared personal insights into her discography and provided fans with an eagerly awaited update on her long-anticipated ninth studio album.

Rihanna’s Favorite Album: ‘ANTI’ Holds a Special Place in Her Heart

Despite being one of the best-selling artists of all time, Rihanna has admitted that she doesn’t typically enjoy listening to her own music. However, there is one exception: ‘ANTI’, her critically acclaimed 2016 album that features hit tracks like Work, Needed Me, and Love on the Brain.

“I listen to ‘ANTI’ from top to bottom with no shame,” Rihanna confessed during her interview. “I used to always have shame. I actually don’t like listening to my music, but ‘ANTI’—I can listen to the album. It’s like it’s not me singing it, if I’m just listening to it.”

The singer further explained her feelings, comparing it to an out-of-body experience:

“That’s the one album that I can have an out-of-body experience with. You know when you hear your voice in a voicemail, and it’s like, ‘Ugh.’ It’s like that for me with most of my music, but ‘ANTI’ is different.”

The Impact of ‘ANTI’ on Rihanna’s Career

‘ANTI’ was a major turning point in Rihanna’s career. The album, which blended alternative R&B, soul, and electronic influences, marked a departure from her previous mainstream pop sound. It earned her a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album, and its experimental approach solidified her reputation as an artist unafraid to take risks.

The project was not only a commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, but it has also remained one of her most beloved albums among fans. Songs like Desperado, Kiss It Better, and Consideration continue to be fan favorites nearly a decade after their release.

Rihanna’s Long-Awaited Ninth Album: What We Know So Far

For years, Rihanna’s fanbase, the Navy, has been eagerly awaiting new music. With ‘ANTI’ now eight years old, the demand for ‘R9’—as fans have nicknamed her next project—has reached fever pitch.

In the interview, Rihanna finally gave some insight into her creative process and why the wait has been so long.

“I think music is my freedom. I just came to that realization,” Rihanna told the magazine. “I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work. I am actually feeling really good about this. I know I kept saying this over the years.”

Will Rihanna’s Next Album Be a Reggae Project?

There has been speculation for years that Rihanna’s upcoming album would have strong reggae influences, but the singer has officially shut down those rumors.

“Way off! There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited,” Rihanna explained.

She elaborated on how her artistic growth influenced her decision to delay the album:

“Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth. It’s not matching my evolution. I can’t do this. I can’t stand by this. I can’t perform this for a year on tour.’”

According to Rihanna, she wants her new music to reflect the time and effort put into it:

“After a while, I looked at it, and I was like, this much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears. It has to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.”

While Rihanna didn’t reveal an exact release date for ‘R9’, her words suggest that she is finally getting closer to delivering a body of work that she truly believes in.

Rihanna’s Musical Return: First New Song in Three Years

Although a full album is still in the works, Rihanna’s fans won’t have to wait too long to hear her voice on a new song. It was recently announced that the singer will contribute to the soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs movie.

Rihanna, who is also part of the film’s voice cast as Smurfette, is set to play a major role in the soundtrack’s development.

This marks her first new song in nearly three years, following her Oscar-nominated track ‘Lift Me Up’ from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack in 2022.

What’s Next for Rihanna?

Beyond music, Rihanna continues to expand her empire with Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and other business ventures. She has cemented herself as a billionaire entrepreneur, proving that she is not just a music icon, but a powerhouse in fashion and beauty.

While fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of ‘R9’, the star’s recent revelations suggest that it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, her return to the big screen and the Smurfs soundtrack offer a taste of what’s to come.

With ‘ANTI’ still standing as one of the most influential albums of the past decade and her next project shaping up to be something special, Rihanna’s reign in the music industry is far from over.Earlier this month, it was announced that Rih will share her first song in almost three years, courtesy of the new Smurfs movie. RiRi, who is among the film’s voice cast — she’ll play the role of Smurfette — is also set to contribute in a significant way to the soundtrack.

Final Thoughts

Rihanna’s latest interview provided fans with a deeper look into her artistic process, her evolution as a musician, and why she remains one of the most influential artists of our time. Her love for ‘ANTI’, her commitment to delivering high-quality music, and her vision for the future all paint the picture of an artist who is taking her time to create something truly impactful.

Whether it’s her next album, her venture into film, or her business empire, one thing is clear: Rihanna’s influence isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Stay tuned for more updates on Rihanna’s next era—because when it finally arrives, it’s going to be legendary.