Rihanna New Music 2023: 9th Album Dropping This Year Despite Riri's Pregnancy Because of 'Toxic Pressure?'

Rihanna hinted to a possible release schedule for new music. Fans disappointed that she was silent about her 9th album during her SuperBowl halftime performance, rejoice!

In a recent interview with British Vogue, the 34-year-old singer-songwriter explained why it's taking so long to produce her ninth album, which fans have lovingly called "R9."

Rihanna stated that she is so pleased with her 2016 album "Anti" that she feels "toxic" pressure to make her upcoming album even better. "Anti" charted on the Billboard 200 for five years and was nominated for multiple Grammys. In retrospect, she said it is her most brilliant album. It's undeniable thought, since the album produced hit songs such as "Work" and "Needed Me."

"I say that because in the moment, I didn't realize it. But it always felt like the most cohesive album I've ever made," she said. "But there's this pressure that I put on myself. That if it's not better than that then it is not even worth it." "It's not the right way to look at music because music is an outlet and a space to create, and you can create whatever," she continued.

"It doesn't have to even be on any scale. It just has to be something that feels good. It could just be a song that I like. It literally could be that simple." Listening to unreleased songs from the past five years, according to Rihanna, is "almost like trying to dress the way you used to dress." "It's like, 'Ew, no. I would never wear those again.' Your taste changes, your vibe changes," she explained.

However, Rihanna has pledged to release "R9" in the future, ideally in 2023. She remarked that she has learned that if she continues to wait until something feels great, perfect, and better, it may never be completed, she wishes to play. And by play, she means that she has ideas in her head, but she cannot yet articulate them out. "I want it to be this year," Rihanna continued.

"Like, honestly, it'd be ridiculous if it's not this year. But I just want to have fun. I just want to make music and make videos." Rihanna has consistently teased her upcoming ninth album and previously stated that it will be reggae-influenced.

Many fans thought that her decision to perform at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show would signal the release of new music, as many pop musicians have used the performance to promote an album or tour.

Instead, Rihanna used her Sunday performance to announce that she is expecting her second child, which is an exciting news as well. Interestingly, she did not know she was already pregnant when she accepted the massive gig.

That said, it remains to be seen if she can drop her new album despite being pregnant and taking care of another child, her firstborn.