Rihanna’s fans were left disgruntled when she shared a heartfelt post about her experience of being in the music industry over the past 20 years but shied away from one key announcement
Pregnant star Rihanna has marked a major milestone in her career by celebrating 20 years since the release of her debut album Music Of The Sun.
But many fans were left frustrated after scrolling through her lengthy post about going from living a simple life in Barbados to international stardom expecting news of a new release that never came.
The 37-year-old Fenty Beauty mogul took to Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, to thank supporters for standing by her since 2005, when she left her home in Barbados to pursue her dream of being a singer.
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“I left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey that started with the release of my very first body of music,” Rihanna wrote.
“So many of you were a part of my life and career since the very beginning, and some of you have joined the adventure along the way. I’m forever grateful to all of you. Each of you played a very crucial role in where this journey has taken me thus far.”
Her debut single Pon de Replay was an instant hit, reaching number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart after she was signed to Def Jam Recordings by then-president Jay-Z.
Since then Rihanna has released eight studio albums, earned nine Grammys, and built a billion-dollar beauty and fashion empire. She marked the anniversary by thanking fans directly, gushing: “Thank you for the greatest first 20 years ever! 20 years of the most loyal, die-hard fans that don’t play about me whatsoever, 20 years of hard work and hardworking teams around me, 20 years of lessons, 20 years of unforgettable experiences and accomplishments, 20 years of my family being my number one support system.”
She also unveiled special anniversary merchandise and a vinyl album box set. But many followers were disappointed by the lack of an update about her long-awaited ninth album, which fans have dubbed R9.
One fan joked: “Scrolled all the way to the bottom of the tweet before fully reading it just to see if she was gone mention something about new music. Played myself.”
Another wrote: “Can’t believe I was expecting to see a new music at the end.” Another hit out: “Girl I’m happy for you but I read all that for NO ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE END? GTFO.”
It has been nine years since Rihanna’s last album Anti, though she briefly returned with Lift Me Up for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Away from music, Rihanna is also preparing to welcome her third child with rapper A$AP Rocky. The pair, who are already parents to two boys called RZA and Riot, hinted they may be expecting a baby girl when Rocky appeared to let the news slip on the Smurfs movie red carpet, where Rihanna voices Smurfette.
Despite her busy family life and booming business ventures, Rihanna has insisted that R9 is still on the horizon. Earlier this year when she was asked if her new pregnancy would further delay the album, she responded: “No, maybe a couple of videos. I can sing!”
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