After nearly a decade without a new album, Rihanna is finally breaking her silence on why she’s taken her time—and why she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Despite stepping away from releasing full-length projects since 2016’s Anti, the global superstar has remained deeply connected to music. But for Rihanna, rushing the process was never an option.

In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the 37-year-old shared insight into her creative journey, explaining why she’s been so selective with her next body of work.

“I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right,’” she said of past attempts at making her ninth album. “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.”

Though she didn’t elaborate on specific creative choices, Rihanna emphasized the importance of making her return to music count.

“After so much time away, I realized that the next thing everyone hears from me needs to be worth it,” she said. “It has to matter.”

Over the years, Rihanna has become comfortable with the idea of extending her musical hiatus in order to release something she’s truly proud of.

“After waiting eight years,” she joked, “you might as well just wait some more.”

However, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been working. The singer, who shares sons RZA Athelston, 2, and Riot Rose, 18 months, with A$AP Rocky, has been spotted leaving the studio numerous times. And in 2022, she gave fans a taste of new music with Lift Me Up, the Oscar-nominated song from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Now, Rihanna finally feels ready.

“This feels right,” she shared, adding that she’s excited for the world to hear what she’s been creating. “This is becoming my new freedom because when I’m in the studio, I know that my time away from my kids is to blossom something that hasn’t been watered in eight years.”

Fans hoping for a radio-friendly pop album might be in for a surprise. Rihanna revealed that her upcoming project won’t necessarily follow mainstream trends.

“It’s not going to be commercial or radio digestible,” she teased. “It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now. I feel like I’ve finally cracked it!”

And while she’s focused on the future, she still holds immense pride in her past work—especially Anti.

Source: E! News