Rihanna Sparks Retirement Rumors After Speech About Music Journey: “God Had Other Plans ForMe”

Rihanna fans have been waiting for new music for quite some time, and rightfully so considering the artist herself has been teasing her next album, R9, for the last few years. However, the 36-year-old superstar has had her hands full with running her Fenty Beauty empire, being a mom to two sons, and more. Last night (Nov. 7), she spoke about where her heart is currently at and sparked speculation that she might be done making music for good.

“Obviously music was the thing that got the attention, but God had other plans for me,” the “Pon De Replay” artist said in a speech during her Fenty Beauty event in Barbados, her home country.

She then reminded people that her business ventures are all rooted in things she genuinely wanted to pursue, adding, “And I was able to create in ways that were sincere and genuine and organic and authentic to the things that I loved. So it doesn’t even feel like a job. But when you bring it home…”

RiRi turned her attention towards expressing gratitude to her home country, citing it as the biggest inspiration for her beauty brand. “Coming back home, where, the first place I ever met beauty, acknowledged beauty, was at my home here in Barbados,” she continued. “You guys have always inspired me. Everything about my brand, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin have been inspired by you and this country, my people, my family, my friends, my opps, I love all of you guys.”

Although the Navy is justified for desiring new tunes from RiRi, at least we know she is still fully pouring her heart into something she loves in the meantime. Rihanna’s last full-length project was 2016’sANTI,which housed mega-records like “Work” featuring Drake, “Kiss It Better,” “Sex With Me,” and “Love On The Brain.” She also reminded folks about how many timeless hits she has already given us in her career when she performed them during her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in 2023.

Revisit ANTI below and watch her heartfelt speech above.

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