Rihanna has once again stirred the pot with her fans, this time by stepping out in New York City wearing a T-shirt that read, “I’m retired. This is as dressed up as I get.” The 36-year-old singer, known for her chart-topping hits and bold fashion choices, was seen with her partner, A$AP Rocky, sporting the custom Connor Ives T-shirt dress. She accessorized the look with a neon green Bottega Veneta purse, vintage Dior sunglasses, and red Fenty x Puma sneakers.
The message on her T-shirt has left fans in a frenzy, reigniting concerns that they may never get to hear her long-awaited ninth studio album. Rihanna’s last album, “Anti,” was released in 2016, and since then, she has been teasing new music without any concrete release date. Fans took to social media to express their frustration and disbelief. One user tweeted, “Rihanna literally said f–k yall, I’m retired 😭never getting an album from a retired queen,” while another wrote, “Not Rihanna being spotted wearing a [sic] ‘i’m retired’ shirt.. GIRL IF YOU DON’T GET IN THE BOOTH!!”
Despite the provocative T-shirt, Rihanna has previously confirmed that new music is indeed on the way. In an April interview with Extra, she assured fans that the upcoming album would be “amazing.” She elaborated, “It has to be — that is the only reason it’s not out yet. … There should be a show of growth, right?” She also mentioned that she wants to have fun with her music and show where she is at in her life.
However, the lack of a specific release date has left fans skeptical. Rihanna has been hinting at new music since 2019, and each year, the anticipation grows. In a March 2023 interview with British Vogue, she said, “Honestly, it’d be ridiculous if it’s not this year.” Yet, as the months roll by, the album remains elusive.
Adding to the fans’ frustration is Rihanna’s focus on her other ventures. She has built a billion-dollar beauty empire with her Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin lines. This week, she announced the launch of Fenty Hair, a new line of haircare products designed to “strengthen and repair all types of hair.” While these business moves are impressive, they have left fans feeling neglected when it comes to her music career.
Rihanna’s playful trolling has been a recurring theme. In 2019, she teased fans on Instagram, saying, “Update: me listening to R9 by myself and refusing to release it.” This kind of teasing has only added to the fans’ impatience and frustration. One fan quipped, “Rihanna actually said don’t bother asking me for new music, ‘I’m retired’, lol,” while another lamented, “Seeing Rihanna in that ‘I’m retired’ shirt broke me a little bit.”
Despite the mixed signals, Rihanna’s influence and impact on the music and beauty industries remain undeniable. Her Fenty Beauty line has set new standards for inclusivity in the beauty world, and her upcoming Fenty Hair line is expected to follow suit. She has also been busy with her personal life, welcoming two children with A$AP Rocky.
While fans continue to hold out hope for new music, they are also coming to terms with the possibility that Rihanna may be more focused on her business ventures and family life. One fan summed it up, saying, “Y’all are not getting it, poor souls. Rihanna is finished with music. The woman is into business and busy creating generational wealth.”
Rihanna’s playful trolling and cryptic messages have kept fans on their toes, but the question remains: Is she truly retired from music, or is this just another one of her elaborate pranks? Only time will tell, but for now, fans will have to wait and see if the elusive R9 will ever make its way to their playlists.
