The soundtrack for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” features Rihanna’s return with fresh music
The song, out on Friday, was written as a tribute to the Marvel movie’s late star Chadwick Boseman.
Well, nearly, but Rihanna is officially back.
The new single “Lift Me Up” from the upcoming Marvel sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to make the singer’s return to our ears on Friday. Tems’ first solo single since 2016’s “Love on the Brain” was written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Panther director Ryan Coogler. It was recorded in five countries and produced by Göransson.
As a remembrance of the late Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in August 2020 at the age of 43, Rihanna’s much-anticipated musical comeback was created. In collaboration with Roc Nation/Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records, the song will be released under the singer’s Westbury Road label. The song’s brief trailer premiered on Rihanna’s Instagram on Wednesday, with her wordless humming floating above a string section.
“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,” said Tems in a statement. “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
The suspected spot on the Wakanda soundtrack has been generating talk for weeks. Clever advertisements on electronic billboards in New York have suggested Rihanna’s involvement in the production, and this week, a teaser post for the movie highlighted the “R” in “Forever” above Friday’s date.
The “Umbrella” singer hasn’t put out an album since Anti, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 list for two weeks six years ago. Since 2016, no new solo music has been released, despite the fact that the new mother has often hinted at her next album. Instead, she has been concentrating on her Fenty Beauty line. She will resume live performance on February 12, 2023, after a lengthy absence.
The sequel to 2018 global smash Black Panther stars Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Winston Duke as M’Baku and Danai Gurira as Okoye, fighting to protect their nation from interloping powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s (Boseman) death. The film, also starring Martin Freeman, Lupita Nyong’o and Tenoch Huerta Mejia, is due in theaters on Nov. 11.
The Wakanda Forever soundtrack — produced by Coogler, Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan — will be out Nov. 4, with Göransson’s score album due out on Nov. 11.
Check out the “Life Me Up” tease.