Rihanna said fans would kill her if ‘they waited this long for a lullaby’. And look what happened
Rihanna released “Lift Me Up” – her first single in six – in 2022. (Getty)
Rihanna has released her first single in six years – but “Lift Me Up”, released to promote Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, just isn’t hitting like some fans thought it would.
Everyone remembers where they were the day Anti, Rihanna’s last studio album, dropped. On that distant day in 2016, the crops were watered, the children were fed, Brexit hadn’t even happened yet.
Since then, the “Work” singer has become a self-made billionaire, dominating the world of fashion and beauty with Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty, respectively.
To be honest, we nearly forgot she sang. Nearly.
When Riri confirmed she’d be dropping a single to promote the sequel to 2018’s Black Panther, I don’t think we’re being dramatic when we say the world went into full meltdown.
RIHANNA IS FINALLY COMING BACK THIS FRIDAY THE DROUGHT IS OVER pic.twitter.com/PeGRadcmQK
— SEXY SLIMED STEVE CARRELL (@Jeesseessee) October 26, 2022
New rihanna music this friday we made it y’all pic.twitter.com/ZHhoswgBKb— HEEDlE (@heyheedie) October 26, 2022
The song, released today (28 October), is confirmed to be the end credits song to Marvel’s latest film.
There’s just one problem; not every Navy member (Rihanna’s loyal supporters) is thrilled with the offering.
Previously, Rihanna had told Entertainment Tonight: “My fans would kill me that they waited this long for a lullaby!”
There have – obviously – been positive reviews of the song, with some comparing the record to her ballad-to-end-all-ballads, “Stay”.
https://twitter.com/GimK_/status/1585848133220986880
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
One fan wrote: “Didn’t realize how much I missed hearing Rihanna’s voice and new music from her until it all hit me when I pressed play on lift me up.”
Other fans have not been quite so – shall we say – complimentary of the song.
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?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1585866782262398976%7Ctwgr%5E6a061602205963a5c5b828d979c7d3f19c6d10b1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinknews.co.uk%2F2022%2F10%2F28%2Frihanna-lift-me-up-black-panther%2F
Fans have pointed out that we were hardly going to be gifted with a dancehall-inspired track like “Work” or sexy, savage “Needed Me” for the end credits of a film commemorating the late Chadwick Boseman.
One wrote: “Y’all was expecting Rihanna to give S&M for a soundtrack song about chadwick? I’m crying”
This what y’all wanted from Rihanna tonight :/ https://t.co/4XZA09tBoF— BOOZER 🦇 (@_Athy__) October 28, 2022
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
Either way, we’re proud survivors of the Rihanna drought of 2016-2022.
