Rihanna to Make Musical Comeback With ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Lead Single ‘Lift Me Up’ – Rihanna makes her long-awaited return to the airwaves by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The singer confirmed on Wednesday that she will be releasing a new original song that will serve as the lead single from the forthcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever original soundtrack.
According to a press release, “Lift Me Up” was written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and director Ryan Coogler as a tribute to the life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman. Goransson produced the track, which was recorded in five countries.
“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. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” Tems said in a statement. “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
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King T’Challa, aka Black Panther, was portrayed by Chadwick Boseman, who died at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Wakanda Forever provides fans with their first look at how the nation has operated in the immediate aftermath of the five-year “blip” and how Wakanda copes with the loss of its king. The death of T’Challa also deprives Wakanda of its Black Panther, rendering the country vulnerable in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Coogler and the cast, including returning stars Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, and Florence Kasumba, have been open about how the film pays tribute to Boseman after his death and reflects the actors’ real-life journey of healing during production.
“Lift Me Up” also signifies the start of the next era of Rihanna’s legendary career. Although she has been featured on multiple songs since 2016, the 34-year-old singer has not released an album. The announcement of her forthcoming original song follows the recent declaration that she will headline the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime show.
The soundtrack, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By, will drop Nov. 4 and the score, composed and produced by Göransson, will be released soon after on Nov. 11. “Lift Me Up” will be released Oct. 28 via Rihanna’s own Westbury Road label in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings and Hollywood Records.
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