Rihanna Rocks Harper’s Bazaar Cover; Updates ‘R9’ Album Plans & Discusses Parenting with A$AP Rocky

Rihanna made a splash at the Savage X Fenty Celebration of Lavish Lace Debut at Nordstrom Century City in Los Angeles, California, on October 10, 2024.

The pop icon and entrepreneur opened up about her personal life and upcoming music career in Harper’s BAZAARs March 2025 cover story. In the interview published on February 22, she discussed a range of topics including her highly anticipated album R9, raising children with partner A$AP Rocky, expanding her business empire, and more.

While many speculated about Rihanna’s new music being a reggae album due to its production style, the singer clarified that there are no genre boundaries for this project. “Way off! Theres no genre now,” she explained in an exclusive interview with Harper’s BAZAAR. Every time I was working on it, I felt like No, its not me. Its not right. Its not matching my growth. Its not matching my evolution. After years of searching and refining her sound, Rihanna is confident that the new album will showcase where she stands creatively.

Rihanna also reflected on the importance of spending time with her kids during this period away from music. “When Im in the studio,” she shared, I know that my time without them is to blossom something special. Ive been working on it for eight years but didn’t realize its true potential until now. The singer explained how much thought and effort went into ensuring that R9 would be worth the wait.

Since her last studio album Anti in 2016, Rihanna has released a few remixes and contributed to the soundtrack of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with Born Again and Lift Me Up. These songs earned her Grammy nominations for best song written for visual media and an Oscar nomination for best original song.

Rihanna also shared that she doesn’t listen to most of her music without shame, except for Anti. “It’s not me singing it,” she admitted, adding, Anti is the only album where I can have a truly out-of-body experience. She expressed pride in how far she has come since then.

As a mother raising two young sonsRZA and Riotwith A$AP Rocky, Rihanna highlighted her unique challenges. The rapper was recently acquitted on felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in Los Angeles. Despite this, the singer reflected on balancing family life and career aspirations: “Every decision revolves around them,” she admitted. But it makes me feel guilty knowing I’m missing out because of my passion for what I do.

She also expressed admiration for Rocky’s role as a father despite her sons often idolizing him more than her. “His pureness and charm are amazing,” Rihanna commented, jokingly adding that she finds herself annoyed when her boys prefer A$AP over their mother.

Rihanna further underscored the importance of her business ventures, such as Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. I care because my name is on it, she stressed, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining high standards in all her enterprises.