Rihanna Readying New Reggae Album / Talks Body Image & More

Published: Thursday 3rd May 2018 by Sam

Rihanna may have her hands full with her fashion, make-up, and acting endeavours, but the star still has music on the mind.

As reported, the 30-year-old recently told fans that new material is on its way.

And while she’s still remaining mum about specifics, she did let slip to Vogue  – whose June issue she scorches – a little about its direction.

Dive below for details and more…

On Rih’s 9th LP:

With her next record—her ninth—Rihanna is moving the needle on her creative output all over again: She plans to make a reggae album. Though it’s too soon to name a full list of collaborators, one early influence may be Supa Dups, the Jamaican-born record producer who has worked with such dancehall greats as Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and Elephant Man.

If Rihanna had to name her favorite reggae artist of all time, though, it would have to be Bob Marley.

“I’m gonna sound like a real tourist when I tell you my top Bob songs,” she says, pausing to scroll through a playlist on her iPhone before rattling off many of his most beloved hits: “Three Little Birds,” “No Woman, No Cry,” and “Redemption Song,” a Marley classic she has covered on tour. It may surprise you to learn that of all the tunes in the reggae icon’s catalog, “Buffalo Soldier” is the one that resonates with Rihanna on a deeply personal level. The song’s theme of upheaval and displacement is a familiar refrain for the singer, who was whisked away from Barbados to New York within months of being discovered by record producer Evan Rogers at the tender age of sixteen.


Given the success she’s enjoyed playing in the reggae/dancehall space (see: ‘Work’, ‘Man Down’), it’d be a wise move.

What’s more, given her heritage, it’s a sound that is unarguably “hers” and gifts her an authentic point of difference from the other Pop gals. We say…do it! Especially given that she’s a little light on albums that have a sonic and aesthetic theme that are seen through from beginning to end. This could well be her opportunity to address that.

Elsewhere in the feature, she opens up about turning 30, her body image – which some have critiqued in recent months, her home country, and more.

Rihanna On Turning 30:

“OK, so now that I’m 30, are there things I’m supposed to do? Should I be freezing my eggs? What do you do at 30?”

Rihanna On Body Satisfaction & Feeling Savage:

“I feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie.

“t’s really about taking complete ownership of how you feel and the choices you make.”

Rihanna On Barbados:

“I basically grew up in paradise. I mean, people save for their whole lives to go on vacation there, and it’s easy to take that for granted,”

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Vogue / Mert & Marcus]

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  1. Gurlwepa89 May 3, 2018

    She naturally exudes s** with the confident that gives her an edge amongs her peers. Bring on the reggae LP Rih, can’t wait!!!

  2. Cinnamon Girl May 3, 2018

    I am tired of Rihanna and Beyonce. Can we get some new singers?

    • dfd May 3, 2018

      There are A TON of ‘NEW’ singers: Queen Naija, Ella Mai, Sabrina Claudio, Ari Lennox to name a few. You just want to complain lol

      • DanYiel Iman May 3, 2018

        EXACTLY!!

      • Cinnamon Girl May 3, 2018

        Never heard of these new singers. Beyonce and Rihanna are tired.

  3. Rihfetus May 3, 2018

    Rihanna looks like a fetus. Ugly hoodrat.

    • gina May 3, 2018

      Put that mirror down.

    • Jasmine May 3, 2018

      Your mama does

  4. gina May 3, 2018

    SLAY. beyonce could never, not even on her best day. And that’s not up for debate so keep it roaches.

    • Meme May 3, 2018

      But this isn’t about Beyonce tho.

  5. Jeans May 3, 2018

    I can’t wait for this!!! I hope the first single is reggae and gives her her 15th #1. Please release during the summer months!

  6. A. May 3, 2018

    smart move, no doubt.

    Almost everyone love Rihanna’s tropical singles, and whatever her team chose as the singles, they will be smashes more than likely. Im ready for some summery songs again

  7. A&R May 3, 2018

    Do it! Do it!
    Do it! Do it!
    Do it! Do it!

  8. iamdiego May 3, 2018

    Finally!!! I think she should have been done this. Those are always her best songs… I need another pop reggae bop like Watch N learn. This will be her best work next to rated R. Critical acclaim is on the way but I need Rih to try and serve some vocals. No microcraved auto tuned backtrack reliable vocals either. Come through sis.

    • iamdiego May 3, 2018

      unreliable

  9. RoyalKev May 3, 2018

    That last photo might be one of the best, if not THE very best picture I’ve ever seen of Rih! I think a reggae album is a smart move for her!

    • Fancy BISH May 3, 2018

      Yeah she slayed da hell outta that picture lol ??

  10. MessyJessy May 4, 2018

    So no ones gonna talk about Rihanna’s Vogue spread being photo-shopped? While she celebrates her “new body”…*sips tea*

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