- 2025-05-16
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MUSIC
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Rihanna Returns with New Song “Friend Of Mine” from New Animated Film “Smurfs” Soundtrack
Barbadian singer-songwriter Rihanna returned with a new song “Friend Of Mine” on May 16, 2025.
The song is the second single from an upcoming animated film “Smurfs” soundtrack, following DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and Desi Trill's “Higher Love”, which was released back in February.
For Rihanna, the song is her first release in three years since the 2022 single “Lift Me Up” from a compilation soundtrack album “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Music from and Inspired By”.
The track was written by Elijah Noll, Elkan, Jason Cornet, Jonathan Bellion, Lee Stashenko, Pete Nappi, and Robyn Fenty. Produced by Jon Bellion, f a l l e n, and Pete Nappi.
The film “Smurfs” is based on Belgian comics artist Peyo's “The Smurfs” comic book series and is a reboot of The Smurfs film series.- The film was directed by Chris Miller, and stars Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette. Also, Rihanna is producer for the film.
Other voice actors include James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Marshmello, and Kurt Russell.
The film is schedule to be released on July 18, 2025 via Paramount Pictures. The soundtrack will be released on June 13, 2025 via Roc Nation Distribution. -
Rihanna is currently working on her upcoming ninth studio album “R9” (working title).
Rihanna told Harper's Bazaar about the album, “This feels right. It feels like it digs right into where I need to be, and I want this. This body needs to come out, and I’m ready to go there. This is becoming my new freedom, because when I’m in the studio, I know that my time away from my kids is to blossom something that hasn’t been watered in eight years. I’ve been in the studio the whole eight years. But it didn’t hit me. I was searching for it.”
She continued, “I went through phases of what I wanted to do. ‘This kind of album, not that album.’ I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio digestible. It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now. I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!” - source : Apple Music
