Rihanna is officially back in music. The global superstar and 9-time Grammy Award winner has announced the release of a brand-new single, “Friend of Mine,” her first in nearly three years. The track will appear on the soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs animated film, set to hit theaters on July 18.
The exciting news was confirmed on Wednesday, May 14, when Rihanna shared a trailer for the movie featuring behind-the-scenes footage of her voicing the iconic character Smurfette. The trailer teased the emotional tone of “Friend of Mine,” which will officially be released on Friday, May 16.
A Long-Awaited Musical Comeback
“Friend of Mine” marks Rihanna’s first solo release since 2022, when she dropped the Oscar-nominated tracks “Lift Me Up” and “Born Again” for Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Those songs came six years after her critically acclaimed 2016 album, Anti.
In a February 2025 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Rihanna hinted that her ninth studio album is finally taking shape, saying:
“It feels like it digs right into where I need to be, and I want this. This body needs to come out, and I’m ready to go there.”
While there’s still no official release date for her next LP, “Friend of Mine” signals that Rihanna’s musical return is officially underway.
Star-Studded Smurfs Cast
In addition to contributing music, Rihanna stars as Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs movie. The animated film features a star-studded voice cast, including:
- James Corden
- Natasha Lyonne
- Octavia Spencer
- Nick Offerman
The movie is expected to bring a modern twist to the beloved blue characters, with Rihanna’s role offering both musical and emotional depth to the story.
Rihanna’s Expanding Empire
The singer and Fenty Beauty mogul is also expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, continuing to balance motherhood, music, and business with seemingly effortless poise.
Release Details
- 🎵 Song Title: Friend of Mine
- 📅 Release Date: May 16, 2025
- 🎬 Film: The Smurfs (Theatrical Release: July 18, 2025)
- 🎤 Artist: Rihanna (as Smurfette)
