Rihanna’s Return

Rihanna has officially made her return to music, as she released her new single “Lift Me Up”  on Oct. 28 for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.  

Her return to music comes after a six-year hiatus to focus her attention on her other various brands. Nonetheless, for the last six years, fans have pleaded for new music and their wish has finally come true.

After this long gap, it’s only fitting that her first single is for the equally highly anticipated Black Panther sequel, as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. 

“Lift Me Up” is a song about remembrance and grief. As Rihanna sings, “hold me when you go to sleep, keep me in the warmth of your love”, she reminds listeners that whatever this new era may bring- Chadwick will never be forgotten and he will forever remain in our hearts. 

His untimely death in 2020 was quite the loss for the black community. Just two years prior fans were watching the first black superhero save the world on the big screen, gleaming at the beautiful representation staring back at them. People everywhere chanted “Wakanda Forever” and Black Panther became a staple in black homes across the nation. 

Chadwick Boseman was the perfect fit to be cast as such a monumental character. He was eloquent and versatile. He invested in his craft. And most importantly, he was dedicated to his community. 

Black Panther may have stolen our hearts on camera, but he would have never been possible without the man who infiltrated our hearts off-camera. 

Listen to “Lift Me Up” out now.