If you follow Rihanna on Instagram, you’ve likely noticed that lately, every time Rihanna posts something—particularly if it’s related to her ginormously successful Fenty beauty line—there’s a strong showing of comments to the effect of: “But where’s the album tho? 👀”
It’s been more than two years since Rihanna released her last album, the instant-classic Anti, but there’s good news ahead for the Rihanna Navy: It sounds like the singer, actress and beauty mogul has not one, but possibly two albums in the works.
Rolling Stone, citing multiple sources, reports that Rihanna’s hunting for new beats for an album “devoted to exploring the singer’s Caribbean roots.” In other words—a project full of dancehall/reggae bops.
The genre’s heaviest hitters have submitted tracks for consideration or are reportedly working on the album. Among them are produrcers Supa Dups, the veteran dancehall producer and hitmaker who brought us “Controlla”; Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, who has worked with Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul; and singers Kranium and Chronixx.
“According to one producer with knowledge of the album’s process,” writes Rolling Stone, “the mainstream Top 40 machine has been represented at some Rihanna sessions by superstar electronic producer Skrillex and Boi-1da.”
Interestingly, no “airport reggae” from Diplo seems to be on deck, though the magazine reports that Rihanna and her team are currently culling through some 500 (FIVE HUNDRED!) records from various producers and writers to figure out what is Rihanna-worthy.
https://www.spin.com/2017/08/rihanna-apology-diplo-airport-reggae/
The singer’s team is reportedly looking at 10 tracks total for the new project, while another source said they’ve selected eight records and are currently looking for one more.
And if an album full of ‘wukking’ and ‘wining’ wasn’t enough for you, two sources also told Rolling Stone that Rihanna is simultaneously working on another pop project.
We stan a multifaceted, industrious queen.