Rihanna just reminded the world why anticipation around her name never fades. Nearly a decade after releasing her last studio album, ANTI in 2016, the global superstar shared footage of herself back in the recording studio, instantly sending fans into a frenzy. For the Navy, this was not just a casual update. It felt historic. After years of waiting, speculating and replaying old albums, Rihanna is visibly creating again.
ANTI, released in January 2016, marked a defining moment in her career. The album produced hits like Work, Needed Me and Love on the Brain and showcased a more experimental, confident version of Rihanna. Since then, she has not released a full studio album, making this one of the longest gaps between projects in her career.
So where has she been?
In the years following ANTI, Rihanna shifted focus toward building her business empire. She launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, which quickly became a global success for its inclusivity and shade range. She expanded into Savage X Fenty and skincare, solidifying her position not just as a pop star but as a powerful entrepreneur.
At the same time, her personal life evolved. She and A$AP Rocky welcomed three children: RZA in May 2022, Riot in August 2023, and their daughter Rocki in September 2025. Motherhood became a central part of her world, and she has spoken openly about how transformative it has been.
That context makes this studio moment even bigger.
Rihanna has repeatedly said she refused to rush music just to satisfy pressure. In past interviews, she explained that she wanted her next project to feel fresh and meaningful, not like something she put out simply because fans were demanding it. That intentional pause is part of why this return feels real.
The recent studio footage shows her actively recording, headphones on, fully immersed. It is not a soundtrack feature. It is not a business announcement. It is Rihanna in creative mode.
Fans immediately flooded social media with celebration. Many pointed out that they have literally grown up waiting for “R9,” the nickname long given to her next album. Memes resurfaced. ANTI reentered conversations. The energy shifted overnight.
There is still no official album title or release date. But for the first time in years, it does not feel hypothetical. It feels like movement.
Nearly ten years after ANTI, Rihanna is back in the studio. And if history has proven anything, it is that when she returns, she does it on her own terms, and the entire music industry pays attention.