Rihanna, who has not released a new album since 2016’s Anti, was spotted heading into a recording studio in New York City on Saturday, Jan. 18.
This sighting has sparked speculation among fans of the nine-time Grammy Award winner that a new album could be on the way. However, some fans remain skeptical, suggesting that Rihanna’s studio time might be for something entirely different.
The 36-year-old singer, known for hits like “Diamonds,” was seen entering the studio building early in the morning on Saturday. She wore a floor-length tan coat with fur accents, workout attire, and carried a Louis Vuitton handbag.
Fans on social media were excited by the possibility that Rihanna’s long-awaited ninth studio album, often referred to as “R9,” could be in the works. One fan exclaimed, “R9 IS COMING! GET UP NAVYS WE ARE GETTING NEW ALBUM,” while another reacted with a simple, “WHATTTTTT.”
However, some skeptical fans were less optimistic, with one commenting, “She’s not fooling me,” and another speculating, “She’s recording a voice over for her Fenty ads.”
Others suggested that the sighting might indicate music for the upcoming animated Smurfs movie, in which Rihanna is voicing Smurfette.
Rihanna, who performed at the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in February 2023, has been open about the fact that while she enjoys making music, she is prioritizing her family life after having two sons, RZA (2 years old) and Riot (17 months), with her partner A$AP Rocky.
During a press conference ahead of her 2023 Super Bowl performance, Rihanna reflected on how parenthood has changed her approach to work. “It’s very different,” she said, describing the challenge of balancing work and motherhood.
“The balance is almost impossible because no matter how you look at it, work is always something that’s going to rob you of time with your child. That’s the currency now, that’s where it goes. The magnitude of how much it weighs.”
In a June 2024 interview, Rihanna reassured fans that her new album was in the works, but emphasized that she wanted to approach the project with a fresh perspective, shaped by where she is in life now.
“Music, for me, is a new discovery,” Rihanna shared. “I’m rediscovering things. I’ve been working on the [new] album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside and now I’m prepared to go back in the studio.”
She added, “I’m gonna start — give me a second! I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears — with my new perspective and then see what applies and what I’m still in love with.”