Rihanna is making her return to music this week.
The music icon and mogul has announced her new song “Lift Me Up,” which drops Oct. 28. It’s the first offering from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Rihanna confirmed the news by posting a snippet of the song on her social media accounts.
“Lift Me Up” was written as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played Black Panther/T’Challa in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War; Black Panther; Avengers: Infinity War; and Avengers: Endgame. He passed away in 2020 from colon cancer.
lift me up
10.28.22 pic.twitter.com/hIvhUQP8Bj— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 26, 2022
“Lift Me Up” was co-written by Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler, who also directed the film, Billboard reports.
Tems shared in a statement, “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, 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.”
She added, “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever–Music From and Inspired By will release Nov. 4. The film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, premieres in theaters Nov. 11.
According to the film’s official synopsis, “Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.
As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.”
“Lift Me Up” will mark Rihanna’s first music release since her 2016 album, ANTI.
The album was first released on Jan. 28, 2016, as a Tidal exclusive. It debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 since it was released during the tail-end of the chart’s tracking week. However, the following week, it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
In 2019, Rihanna made history as the first Black woman to have an album spend more than 200 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. At the time of publishing, ANTI has spent 336 weeks on the Billboard 200.
On Feb. 12, 2023, Rihanna will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII.
“Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn,” said JAY-Z, founder of Roc Nation. “A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”
NFL Head of Music Seth Dudowsky, added, “We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage. Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another historic Halftime Show performance.”
Rihanna has yet to confirm any details about her follow-up album to ANTI.
In other news, Rihanna will debut Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 exclusively on Prime Video on Nov. 9. The annual fashion experience will feature performances by Anitta, Burna Boy, Don Toliver, and Maxwell.
It will also include special appearances from Ángela Aguilar, Avani Gregg, Bella Poarch, Cara Delevingne, Damson Idris, Irina Shayk, Joan Smalls, Kornbread, Lara Stone, Lilly Singh, Marsai Martin, Precious Lee, Rickey Thompson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Simu Liu, Taraji P. Henson, Taylour Paige, Winston Duke, Zach Miko, and more.
Pre-save “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna.