A$AP Rocky has quipped that “it was hell” at home after he let slip that Rihanna had been working on new music.
The 38‑year‑old superstar has kept fans guessing about her musical future since releasing her acclaimed eighth studio album Anti in 2016, but her partner sparked excitement when he hinted fresh material could finally be on the way.
Speaking on an episode of The Jason Lee Show in August, Rocky dismissed speculation that Rihanna’s family life - including their three children - or her booming Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty brands - were behind the long wait. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, revealed she is actively creating new music.
He said: “Nah. She in the studio right now. Yeah, I said it. Sorry, babe.” Rocky added: “Bro, she working. She cooking, no funny s. Damn, I’mma get in trouble for this.”
However, in a recent interview, he joked that Rihanna was less than thrilled with his overshare. He told The Hollywood Reporter: “It was hell. Yeah, I shouldn’t have done that.” Asked if there was anything he’d like to clear up, he replied: “No, I’m gonna mind my business.”
Since then, Rihanna herself has lifted fans’ hopes by revealing she’s sitting on a huge stash of unreleased music. During a Fenty Beauty TikTok Live event, she said: “If there are 10 products in a vault, then I have at least 17 vaults.”
This summer, Rihanna made a surprise return to the stage, joining Jay-Z during his Yankee Stadium show on July 12.
The pop icon stunned the New York crowd with performances of Run This Town and B* Better Have My Money, marking her first live appearance since she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in 2023.
During the Yankee Stadium appearance, Rihanna acknowledged that she was getting back into the rhythm of performing live after such a long break.
She told the audience: "Y'all know I'm rusty, right? It's been a while, Y'all with me right now?"
Since the release of Anti, Rihanna has continued to dominate popular culture through fashion, beauty, and major live moments, while her devoted fanbase, known as the Navy, has repeatedly called for new music.
The album, which featured hits including Work, Love on the Brain and Needed Me, became one of the most celebrated records of her career and cemented her reputation as one of the defining artists of her generation.