Rihanna has made a long-awaited return to music with her new single “Friend of Mine,” released as part of the soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs movie reboot. This marks her first musical release in three years, following her 2022 Oscar-nominated ballad “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The upbeat, Afrobeats-inspired track features layered vocals and rhythmic production by Jon Bellion and Pete Nappi, accompanied by a whimsical animated music video where Rihanna strolls through a enchanted garden, shielding herself with a giant flower—an aesthetic nod to her role as Smurfette in the film.
The song’s release has reignited mixed emotions among fans. While some celebrated any new music from the artist—joking on social media, “At this point, we’ll take what we can get”—others humorously criticized the choice of a children’s movie soundtrack, with one fan quipping, “She said we’ll get lullabies and we are getting kiddie songs”. The track’s arrival underscores Rihanna’s pattern of prioritizing soundtrack contributions over solo albums, a trend that began after her 2016 record Anti, her last full-length project. Fans have grown increasingly vocal about their frustration over her nine-year album hiatus, accusing her of sidelining music for her billion-dollar Fenty empire and family life.
In the Smurfs film, set for release on July 18, 2025, Rihanna not only voices Smurfette but also serves as a producer. The storyline follows Smurfette leading a rescue mission to save Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) from an evil wizard, blending animation with real-world adventures. This dual role continues Rihanna’s history of multimedia projects, such as her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show and her recent Met Gala appearance, where she debuted her third pregnancy with A$AP Rocky .
Despite the playful nature of “Friend of Mine,” Rihanna has hinted at deeper creative ambitions. Earlier this year, she revealed in an interview that she’s been quietly working on her ninth studio album, describing it as a departure from commercial expectations: “It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now”. Yet, with no confirmed timeline for its release, the Smurfs soundtrack remains a bittersweet consolation for fans clinging to hope. As the wait for R9 stretches on, “Friend of Mine” serves as a reminder of Rihanna’s enduring star power—even if it arrives cloaked in blue animation and nursery-ready beats.
