RIRI REVISITED

It would seem new music from Roc Nation megastar Rihanna is finally on the way.

Industryites have been buzzing about the forthcoming follow-up to 2016's Anti (approaching 3.3m RTD) for some time now, with many claiming it's at the finish line. Late last year, RiRi herself confirmed some rumors, posting that the set would arrive in 2019. She's since posted pics of herself working in the studio.

It’s been buzzed that the set will have a heavy dancehall vibe, ideal for what looks to be a sweltering summer. But until recently the word had been that the record wouldn’t be ready for a while.

However, Def Jam EVP Promotion Nicki Farag's Instagram, she and EVP Rhythm Promo Noah Sheer posted pics with the star at the 6/20 BET Awards—where RiRi presented Mary J. Blige with a lifetime achievement award—and added #NopeNotTelling, along with the "shhh" emoji, in their captions, raising expectations for a nearer drop. The 31-year-old star has definitely been more visible of late; in addition to her BET look, she joined Seth Meyers for a segment. But prior to that her focus was primarily on her Fenty Beauty line (which accounts for a significant portion of the aforementioned fortune). She's also prepped the return of her Diamond Ball—a charity event benefiting The Clara Lionel Foundation, scheduled for this September. Prior to that she had acting roles in the distaff heist thriller Ocean’s 8 and in Guava Island, Donald Glover’s short film for Amazon Prime.

One thing that seems clear is Rihanna needn’t worry about money; in early June, Forbes listed her as the wealthiest female musician in the world, estimating her net worth at $600m.