Rihanna Says New Album Should Be "Amazing and Show Growth"

Barbadian singer Rihanna has dished about music, makeup, motherhood, and the Met Gala at the launch of her new Fenty Beauty Soft’lit Foundation in Los Angeles on Friday (April 26), a celebration ringing in what she describes as “a new era in foundation for the brand.” 

She talked up the new cosmetics product’s “soft, luminescent finish, like a nice, glowy, natural-skin look” inspired by Barbados. 

The pop star and businesswoman seems aware everyone has long been pining for "R9", which would be the long-awaited follow-up her 2016 album "Anti", and humored some questions about the long-awaited album in an interview with Extra.

In a nutshell, the singer is firm on making a new album worth the wait.

“It’s gonna be amazing,” she said. “It has to be — that is the only reason it’s not out yet. If I’m not feeling it and I’m not feeling like it represents the evolution, the time I spent away …There should be a show of growth, right?”.

“I want to play, and I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at,” Rihanna added, noting that she only intends to collaborate with another artist if it’s “Very intentional. I’ll know when I have the record.”

Just a week and a half ago, it should be noted, Rihanna stated, “I already got stuff that I feel like I could make hits out of.” She referring to her work in progress as “So good.”

While Rihanna’s new music remains unknown, she did confirm plans to attend the Met Gala, and revealed right now she’s got two options for her dress on the big night — but don’t expect anything too wild.

“I’m actually just keeping it real simple this year,” said Rihanna of what she’s got in her mind for the prestigious May 6 event. “Very simple. I think it’s gonna come to what my makeup and what my hair is going to do. We wanna play with that, but I have no idea what I’m gonna do with that.”

“Very simple-ish, compared to everything I’ve ever done,” she added. “I’m showing up for dinner! Shout out to Anna Wintour.”

The star, who’s a mother to an almost two-year-old (son RZA turns two in May) with her partner A$AP Rocky, explained her experience with fashion since entering parenthood.

“When you become a mom, your style goes from like ‘blah’ to ‘let’s see what fits’ to ‘I’m gonna be a bad b***h today,'” said Rihanna. “You’ve got to remind yourself a little bit sometimes, you know, bad bitch is still in there somewhere.”