Rihanna drops first single in six years – and the verdict is in
Rihanna (Credit: Roc Nation)
After a six year wait, Rihanna is finally back with brand new music from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack – and she’s leaving fans emotionally devastated.
“Life Me Up” is the first of two new songs Rihanna has lined up and is a delicate ballad, a far cry from some of her pop bangers, but guaranteed to bring goosebumps to anyone who listens.
The song was written by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems in memory of Chadwick Boseman, the original Black Panther actor who passed away in 2020 from colon cancer.
“Blessed to have written this song in honour of Chadwick Boseman and even more blessed to hear the baddest badgirlriri [RIhanna] voice it to perfection,” Tems wrote on Instagram.
Under which Rihanna commented: “It’s the pen for me, love you sistren.”
In a separate statement explaining the inspiration behind the song, Tems said: “I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that 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.”
At the world premiere of Wakanda Forever on 26 October director Ryan Coogler opened up how he got Rihanna on board.
“I’ll say this, I didn’t get her to do anything. I don’t think anybody can get her to do anything,” he told ET.
“She’s a person who marches to the beat of her own drum.
“I’m just thankful that she wanted to contribute to this, and I’ll be forever grateful and not just to her, but all the other fantastic musicians that are on the soundtrack.”
Now unleashed on the world, the majority of fans are raving about the stunning vocals and beautiful tribute to Chadwick.
“What you did was so beautiful. I am literally crying, the vocals, the way you just sang everything,” one fan wrote.
While another added: “Please never leave us again Rihanna. This song is giving me chills. We love you so much.”
And as one person eloquently wrote: “Rihanna put her whole Rihussy into ‘Lift Me Up’.”
https://twitter.com/twittabot123/status/1585844401745575938?s=20&t=AggvxyXrj9rLe7BL6HcWCA
https://twitter.com/GimK_/status/1585848133220986880?s=20&t=AggvxyXrj9rLe7BL6HcWCA
https://twitter.com/cryptobubz/status/1585906566834061313?s=20&t=AggvxyXrj9rLe7BL6HcWCA
rihanna did not spend those 6 years doing nothing music-related. #LiftMeUp proves that to me. she spent those 6 years sharpening her skill. her voice is piercing, clear, and spellbinding here. she’s always been incredible with ballads, but her voice has matured ineffably.
— 🏞️ – 🌊| they/them (@DaShaunLH) October 28, 2022
"Lift me up"by Rihanna definitely puts you in another realm. The vocals, lyrics, and sound have this uniform presentation that's pleasing to the soul.#WakandaForever #liftmeup— Navygene ⚓|| Fan account (@Navygene) October 28, 2022
The whole purpose of #LiftMeUp was to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman and Rihanna conveyed the emotions from everyone in the song. It was not made to shake your ass, it’s a solemn moment. She didn’t make it for u, she made it for Chad. #WakandaForever— IG: _ ☈OMEKO✨🇯🇲 (@_romeko) October 28, 2022
Rihanna pulling these emotions out of me after having me wait for YEARS 😭 #LiftMeUp pic.twitter.com/0VK8GiErxL— Joshua Chenault (@joshuachenault1) October 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/chrixprint/status/1585845651556139008?s=20&t=AggvxyXrj9rLe7BL6HcWCA
https://twitter.com/superking1815/status/1585844663231328257?s=20&t=AggvxyXrj9rLe7BL6HcWCA
There's an angel in those vocal chords 🥹✨✨ #Rihanna #LiftMeUp ✨✨ pic.twitter.com/TjBV6Jopdy
— Elías ☻ (@holaelias_) October 28, 2022
However, not everyone is pleased with the new song, with some feeling Rihanna fell short of their expectations.
This is not Rihanna’s comeback.— Big Baby ✨ (@Veeethestallion) October 28, 2022
i love rihanna, this is a black panther song though, i’m not taking this. pay up avon lady— 5hahem aka Dr. Durag (@shaTIRED) October 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/mdaixo/status/1585866782262398976?s=20&t=AggvxyXrj9rLe7BL6HcWCA
Song is boring but it’s created for a specific purpose so that’s fine I guess 🤷🏿♂️ won’t be listening again— Jason Okundaye (@jasebyjason) October 28, 2022
Although as others have pointed out: “People complaining about Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up”, the song is a tribute to Chadwick Boseman. Did you want Riri to sing about how chains and whips excite her?”
While another agreed: “That song is so beautiful, I don’t know what you were all expecting because it’s supposed to be a tribute song.”
y’all was expecting rihanna to give S&M for a soundtrack song about chadwick? im crying— ໊ (@KHROMIEZ) October 28, 2022
Having now heard the song, fans are eagerly awaiting the film to see it come to life on screen, and tear their hearts out all over again.
the second i hear rihanna’s voice during black panther they’re gonna need to take me out of there on a stretcher i’m so fcking serious— t. (@lighttmylove) October 28, 2022
Riri ate this up n left no crumbs, and I’m suppose to sit in the theater and hear this and act normal?!? #LiftMeUp pic.twitter.com/meAzYsclDP— Nerd Gangster (@sirshaqq) October 28, 2022
when they have a montage of Chadwick playing at the same time as the song during the movie #LiftMeUp pic.twitter.com/1yjO2e2Y8X— Kory Anders (@K0riAnDer) October 28, 2022
