Rihanna is back in the studio working on new music, according to her partner A$AP Rocky, who shared the update during an appearance on the Jason Lee podcast in early September 2026. It is the first concrete confirmation that the Barbadian superstar has begun work on her long-anticipated ninth studio album.
Rocky said Rihanna is “in the studio right now” and “cooking” new songs, comments that immediately reignited excitement among fans who have waited years for a follow-up.
The Long Wait
Rihanna's last studio album, Anti, arrived in 2016, and in the years since she has shifted much of her focus to business ventures, including her Fenty brands, and to starting a family.
Occasional singles and appearances kept the possibility of new music alive, but a full album has remained one of the most requested releases in pop and R&B.
What Was Confirmed
Rocky's comments confirm active studio sessions, but he did not announce a title, a release date, or any tour plans. For now, the news is that work has begun, not that a project is imminent.
“She's in the studio right now,” Rocky said, describing his partner as “cooking” new material.
That distinction matters, because studio work can stretch over long periods before an artist commits to a release timeline.
Why Fans Are Excited
Few artists command the kind of anticipation Rihanna does, and the gap since Anti has only intensified demand for new material.
Her cultural footprint, from music to fashion to her high-profile relationship with Rocky, keeps her at the center of pop conversation even without new releases.
What Comes Next
With sessions underway, attention now turns to whether Rihanna or her team will offer any official rollout details in the coming months.
Until then, the confirmation from Rocky is the strongest signal yet that new music is genuinely in progress. The Talk Lounge will follow any official announcements as they come.
A Career Beyond Music
Part of why new music has taken so long is that Rihanna built one of the most successful celebrity business empires of her generation, led by her Fenty beauty and fashion lines. That work turned her into a billionaire and reshaped her public identity beyond singing.
She has also spoken about motherhood as a priority in recent years, another factor fans have pointed to when discussing the gap between albums.
How The News Broke
The confirmation came not from a formal press release but from an offhand comment by A Rocky on a podcast, which is often how details about Rihannas plans surface. That informal path is part of why fans scrutinize every mention so closely.
Without an official rollout, expectations should stay measured, but the update is a genuine step forward.
The story was reported by MusicNews and other outlets.
