Rihanna drops second Black Panther single and we regret to inform you it’s another ballad

Nov 11 2022
Written by Charlie Duncan

Rihanna at the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiere. (Getty)

Rihanna continues her comeback with another ballad from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack titled “Born Again” – and fans are fed up.

Said to be the soundtrack to the credits on the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, the three and a half minute long offering contains lyrics like: “So until those rivers run out/ It runs through me/ Wherever you are, I’ll bе there/ We carry on (Wе carry on)/ Born again”.

Despite it being written by past collaborator The-Dream, who previously wrote “Umbrella” and “Birthday Cake”, it was obvious that the soundtrack perhaps wouldn’t contain songs comparable to the dancehall-inspired “Work” or sexy “S&M”. But, some fans are – once again – displeased.

I don’t know about an Oscar but I agree #LiftMeUp is the better overall composed song though lyrically I think #BornAgain is good the composition/delivery isn’t resonating with me.

— Awakened (@ThematicPoetry) November 11, 2022

She released ANOTHER ballad she can’t sing on??????????????— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) November 11, 2022

Another fan pointed out that the singer herself hadn’t promoted the single:

https://twitter.com/RihDiscover/status/1591069994766729222

However, other fans have been more complimentary of the singer’s second single; one wrote: “nah what rihanna did on born again is actually magic” and another added: “Born again is just omg”

born again by Rihanna pic.twitter.com/jlb8FD19Eg— rihanna.com.br ⚓️ (@RihannaNoBrasil) November 11, 2022

Rihanna better get the oscar for these 2 songs. Born again so mf gooood— TDM ✮ (@Trapdollazmanny) November 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/physicallvs/status/1590906040907866112

It makes sense for the two singles released to have a more melancholy, respectful tone than “We Found Love”, given that Wakanda Forever is essentially a love letter to the late Chadwick Boseman.

And for all the people who was taking mess about Lift Me Up: That song hits at the right time in the film…and there wasn't a dry eye in that theatre.

Give Rihanna the Oscar immediately. #WakandaForever

— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) November 11, 2022

Still, when she headlines the Super Bowl, we’re hoping for any new music to be something a bit more – shall we say – sexy.

Rihanna’s return to music has not been nothing if not characteristically messy. First, she dropped “Lift Me Up”, the first song released for the sequel to 2018’s Black Panther to a distinctly lukewarm reception, barely making a ripple compared to the predicted tsunami that the singer/ businesswoman/ makeup lady had teased when she said her fans would kill her if she released a lullaby.

Then, she cast Johnny Depp – yes, that Johnny Depp – to walk in her most recent Savage x Fenty show, with the 36-second long cameo confusing fans as to why it was even necessary in the first place.