Rihanna’s last album was 2016’s ANTI, and fans have been waiting impatiently for the next release as the star has gone on to cultivate other businesses and start her own family. Now, in a new interview with Extra TV, the singer has given some more hints about what her next album might sound like and the inspiration behind it.
“It’s gonna be amazing,” she said of the album. “It has to be—that is the only reason it’s not out yet. If I’m not feeling it and I’m not feeling like it represents the evolution, the time I spent away. There should be a show of growth, right? I want to play, and I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at.”
Asked about who else might appear on the album, she replied, “I’m not a big collaborator…It has to be very intentional, so I’ll know when I have the record.”
The Fenty Beauty founder also shared her plans for the Met Gala, where she traditionally makes a big splash.
“I’m actually just keeping it real simple this year,” she said. “Very simple… I think it’s gonna come to what my makeup and what my hair is going to do. We wanna play with that, but I have no idea what I’m gonna do with that….very simple-ish…compared to everything I’ve ever done. I’m showing up for dinner! Shout out to Anna Wintour.”
Since having two children, RZA and Riot, Rihanna’s style has changed.
“When you become a mom, your style goes from like ‘blah’ to ‘let’s see what fits’ to ‘I’m gonna be a bad bitch today.’ You’ve got to remind yourself a little bit sometimes, you know, bad bitch is still in there somewhere,” she explained. “You wanna be comfortable because you’re moving around so much and then it’s whatever fits. Right now, my clothes are either too big or too small most of the time.”
Thinking about her kids, the singer shared that she was stunned when she realized her oldest son will turn two in a month.
“It just hit me over the head the other day,” she said. “Two under 2—that’s a royal rumble right there…He’s very into everything sensory—sounds, touch, climbing. He’s active, he’s fearless, but still cautious at the same time.”
Asked if she’d have a big birthday party, Rihanna said, “I don’t know about big, but I want it to be something he enjoys. You know, the first one is really for the parents and everybody in his life, but the second one, he’s more aware, he’s more emotionally connected to things. I want it to be something that’s stimulating for him.”