Rihanna has released the music video for her new single “Lift Me Up”.
The 34-year-old Barbadian singer returned her triumphant return to the music scene on Friday with the release of a track recorded for her upcoming film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
She last released solo music in 2016 with her eighth studio album Anti.
The emotional video, which is interspersed with footage from the upcoming film set to release on November 11th, features shots of the singer on a beach with crashing waves in the background.
Rihanna sings as the sun sets and the ashes from a nearby bonfire float in the air.
Clips from the film include tearful shots of Queen Ramonda played by Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright as Shuri dressed in tribal regalia, and Danai Gurira, who plays the fierce warrior Okoye.
Announcing the release of the video on social media, Rihanna shared a short clip with the caption, “Wakanda ForeveRRRR!!!”
“Lift Me Up” features a stripped-down melody with delicate strings that complement the singer’s soulful vocals.
“Lift it, hold it down, stay close, keep it safe and sound,” she sings.
“Hold me when you fall asleep, and protect me in the warmth of your love when you leave, keep me safe and sound.”
The song swells with melancholy, and the singer is accompanied by a subtle choir.
Lift Me Up – From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released with an instrumental track.
The film’s director, Ryan Coogler, previously told PA News Agency that Rihanna was “very clear” that her affection for the project was a tribute to late star Chadwick Boseman.
“Honestly, I think it was Chad,” the 36-year-old told PA on the red carpet of the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles.
“A lot of improbable things had to happen for that to happen, but Rihanna was very clear that she did it for him.
Rihanna, real name Robin Rihanna Fenty, moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue a career in music.
She signed with Jay-Z’s Def Jam Recordings and released her debut album, Music Of The Sun, the same year.
The single reached number two on the UK charts, and the album sold over two million copies worldwide.
To date, she has released seven more studio albums. A Girl like Me (2006), Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), Rated R (2009), Loud (2010), Talk That Talk (2011), Unapologetic (2012), Anti (2016).
Her status as a pop superstar was cemented with the release of her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, which went to No. 1 on the UK album chart thanks to the single.
Rated R, the first album released after a controversial relationship with Chris Brown, marked the singer’s musical departure, moving away from her pop-heavy previous efforts to feature the single Rude Boy. and Te Amo.
Last month, the singer, who welcomed her first child with rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky earlier this year, said she would also perform at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.
This performance will be Star’s first major concert in several years.
Shortly after news of the performance broke, Rihanna told American news outlet TMZ, “I’m nervous, but I’m excited.
Since the release of the Grammy-nominated “Anti,” the singer has focused on philanthropy, acting roles, and businesses such as makeup and skincare brand Fenty Beauty and lingerie line Savage X Fenty.
In 2019, Rihanna declined to perform at the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show, citing solidarity with former US football player Colin Kaepernick.
