Music
28 Oct 22

Fans react as Rihanna releases first new song in 6 years 'Lift Me Up'

Listen to the highly anticipated new track below

Over half a decade since she last released new music as a lead artist, Rihanna is back today with 'Lift Me Up' – a new single set to feature on the soundtrack for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The track is a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, before his death from colon cancer in 2020, aged 43. The upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a sequel to Black Panther (2018), and will feature cast members from the first film – though Marvel chose not to recast Boseman's role.

Rihanna wrote 'Lift Me Up' with Nigerian star Tems, as well as the composer of the film's score, Ludwig Göransson, and the director, Ryan Coogler.

"Blessed to have written this song in honour of Chadwick Boseman," Tems wrote on Instagram this morning, "and even more blessed to hear the baddest @badgalriri [Rihanna] voice it to perfection."

Rhianna's fans have also taken to social media to share their love for the track, and to celebrate Rihanna's long-awaited return.

just finished listening to rihanna’s future oscar winning song lift me up pic.twitter.com/WDOwWNHPkr

— wiLL (@willfulchaos) October 28, 2022

Rihanna has one of the most unique voices that the has touched the music industry. Gone for over 6 years and there’s still no one that sounds like her.

— Ronald Isley (@yoyotrav) October 28, 2022

Rihanna is back and it feels so right 😭😭😭

— Zach Kornfeld (@korndiddy) October 28, 2022

Bruh! You can hear Tems all over Rihanna’s Lift Me Up. Not surprised she co-wrote this.

Her growth is EVERYTHING!

— Iseunife The First (@Shawnifee) October 28, 2022

Rihanna’s voice is so full now. Her tone has always been immaculate, but she sounds like a grown ass woman on this record. Wow, I missed her.

— moonchild 🌒 (@MrMouthAlmighty) October 28, 2022