Rihanna returns to music for 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' soundtrack

Grammy-winning Rihanna will release her first music since 2016 with the soundtrack to 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' out November 4. The film will be released in theaters on November 11.

Rihanna co-wrote the ballad 'Lift Me Up' alongside writer/director Ryan Coogler, Tems and Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson as a tribute to the late 'Black Panther' actor Chadwick Boseman, who died in August 2020. The single will be released on October 28 via Rihanna's own label, Westbury Road, in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings and Hollywood Records.

Co-songwriter Tems said in a press release, "After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people I I've lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would be like if I could sing for them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna was an inspiration to me, so the to hear this song transmitted is a great honor."

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Rihanna's latest feature film, "Anti", was released in 2016. Since the release, Rihanna has focused on her Fenty empire and become a certified billionaire mogul. The "Take a Bow" singer has been confirmed to perform at the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on February 12, 2023, hinting at an upcoming new album.

According to the official synopsis of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever", Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M'Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Dora Milaje (Florence Kasumba ) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers following the death of King T'Challa. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and chart a new course for the kingdom of Wakanda.

The soundtrack to the first "Black Panther" movie featured the Oscar-winning track "All of the Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Grammy-winning music by Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, Jorja Smith, Travis Scott, the Weeknd and Khalid was included on the Lamar-produced soundtrack, with original film music composed by Göransson.

The "Wakanda Forever" soundtrack, officially titled "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Music From and Inspired By", will be available November 4th on Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records. The producers of the soundtrack album are Coogler, Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan. "The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Original Score", composed and produced by Göransson, will be available November 11 from Hollywood Records.

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