Rihanna has recorded a new song for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Following weeks of speculation, the singer took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a short teaser of a track titled Lift Me Up.
Dropping on Friday, Rihanna collaborated on the song alongside singer/producer Tems, composer Ludwig Göransson, and director Ryan Coogler.
In a statement, Tems revealed that Lift Me Up is a tribute to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died at the age of 43 in 2020 following a battle with cancer.
“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life,” she said. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honour.”
Lift Me Up marks Rihanna’s first new single as a lead artist since 2016.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, and Winston Duke, is set to open in U.S. cinemas on 11 November.
Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here
Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE
Follow Noise11 on Social Media
You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter
Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook
