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 (@PoeticPiercing) 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:
She didnt even post about #BornAgain ? giving KIB moment pic.twitter.com/abDM3vGtWj— DiscoverRihanna (@RihDiscover) November 11, 2022
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 • FAN ACCOUNT (@RihannaNoBrasil) November 11, 2022
Rihanna better get the oscar for these 2 songs. Born again so mf gooood— TDM? (@Trapdollazmanny) November 11, 2022
rihanna leaving the studio after recording born again and lift me up pic.twitter.com/df1nDKRFKb— manu lvs lolito (@physicallvs) November 11, 2022
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.
#Rihanna after dropping Born Again and Lift Me Up pic.twitter.com/g2INjokbtA— WEREWOLF BY NIGHT (@Jeesseessee) November 11, 2022
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