Rihanna offered a glimpse behind the scenes of her multifaceted life this week, sharing an 80-second Instagram Reel documenting a single, relentless day that included business meetings, design reviews, and a late-night recording session. The video, captioned “commercial break,” provides the most concrete evidence yet that the singer is actively working on her long-awaited ninth studio album, a project she has discussed for years.
The Reel begins with Rihanna immersed in her work with Savage X Fenty, her lingerie brand. She’s shown reviewing designs – some intentionally obscured – and signing records. The pace quickens as the night progresses, capturing a moment of levity at 1:30 a.m. Before transitioning to the primary focus of the post: a return to the recording studio just before 2 a.m. “Longest day ever,” she remarked to her team, who were still working alongside her.
Rihanna’s dedication to music comes after a decade since the release of her last album, Anti, in 2016. In the intervening years, she has remained a prominent figure in popular culture, releasing the single “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, delivering a widely acclaimed Super Bowl halftime performance in 2023, and lending her voice to the role of Smurfette in a recent Smurfs movie, as documented by Savage X Fenty’s “All Things Rihanna” page.
The Instagram Reel shows Rihanna collaborating with studio staff until 5:05 a.m., though no audio from the recording session was included in the clip. A brief exchange, where Rihanna suggests grabbing coffee with her team to foster a more personal connection, hints at the collaborative nature of the project. The video then shifts to “Mom duties” at nearly 7 a.m., showing Rihanna creating and modeling a Mardi Gras costume for her son. The timestamp on the video ultimately disappears, suggesting the videographer’s exhaustion.
Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty brand maintains a significant social media presence, with over 5 million followers on Instagram. The brand recently collaborated with the Smurfs, releasing a collection in February 2025, as highlighted in a post from February 10, 2025 (Instagram post). The latest Reel, however, focuses squarely on Rihanna’s return to music, leaving fans anticipating further updates on the forthcoming album.
As of now, a release date for the album remains unconfirmed, and no music has been publicly shared. Rihanna’s team has not responded to requests for comment regarding the project’s timeline.
