Music

Rihanna drops first single in six years – and the verdict is in

Rihanna Lift Me Up

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’.”

However, not everyone is pleased with the new song, with some feeling Rihanna fell short of their expectations.

 

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.”

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.

 

 

 

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