Rihanna releases 'Lift Me Up' from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' soundtrack

By Andrea Tuccillo

New music from Rihanna is finally here.

The singer dropped her new song, "Lift Me Up," the lead single from the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" soundtrack, Thursday at midnight.

Rihanna announced the song, her first new music since the release of her 2016 album, "Anti," on Tuesday, sharing a snippet to Instagram of her humming along to the new tune.

Also in the clip is the same "R" featured in a post shared on the Marvel Studios and "Black Panther" social pages earlier that day. Fans accurately guessed that the teaser was a hint that Rihanna would be contributing music to the soundtrack for the "Black Panther" sequel. Rihanna also left a set of emojis in the comments section of the post, fueling even more speculation from fans.

The song was written by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler as a tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who died in August 2020 after a years-long battle with colon 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," Tems said in a press release. "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 honor," she added.

It was announced in September that Rihanna will perform at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in February.

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" arrives in U.S. theaters on Nov. 11. The movie's soundtrack will be available Nov. 4.

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