Rihanna is back in the studio, A$AP Rocky confirms existing new music

On Wednesday's appearance on the Jason Lee podcast, rapper A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) announced that Rihanna is “in the studio right now,” hinting that a new album could finally break her decade‑long silence.

Rocky brushed aside rumors that they were collaborating on a double album and simply said that Rihanna was “cooking” new tracks. He added that the couple would face trouble if the news spread outside their circle, underscoring the privacy they usually keep around their creative work.

The 38‑year‑old Barbadian singer, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, hasn't released a full album since 2016’s "Anti." In the interim, she issued a handful of singles—most notably 2022’s “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—and focused on expanding her brands, including the hugely successful Fenty Beauty cosmetics line and a lingerie company.

Rihanna’s return could signal a shift toward cutting‑edge music production tools. Recent advances in quantum computing have begun to influence audio processing algorithms, allowing artists to explore new timbres, hyper‑accurate synthesis, and real‑time effects that were previously computationally unfeasible. A$AP Rocky’s testimony may suggest that Rihanna will be among the first to adopt such AI‑managed studio workflows to enhance her sound portfolio.

While the details remain elusive, fans are primed for an unexpected release that could blend high‑tech production with the singer’s signature flair.

Rihanna in the studio
Rihanna is a silver, bejeweled outfit at the Met Gala. © EPA/Shutterstock