"The 9 in R9 stands for 9 more years" — Internet reacts to Rihanna saying she "starting over" with her highly-anticipated album

Rihanna's fans have been eagerly waiting for the release of her ninth album. The singer's last major project was Anti, which came out back in 2016. Meanwhile, the Battleship star has recently spoken up about her next, tentatively titled R9, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

The news comes at a time when there have been speculations regarding her retirement after being spotted with ASAP Rocky in New York City earlier this month. The actress was wearing a T-shirt during the outing and it featured the words, "I'm retired."

Rihanna addressed the rumors in her conversation with ET while appearing at the launch event of Fenty Hair. She said that the fans were "triggered" and worried that they might not get to enjoy her ninth album. She continued:

"I think that music, for me, is a new discovery. I'm rediscovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside and now I'm prepared to go back in the studio. I'm gonna start – give me a second!"

The Annie star added that she is "starting over" and is not willing to ignore the tracks that she has made so far. She ended by saying:

"I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears, with my new perspective and then see what applieas and what I'm still in love with."

While Rihanna's interview went viral on social media, netizens shared their reactions to the same, with some of them addressing the delay of her new album.

"2027 she'll be telling us the same thing", a user wrote.

"R9 2030 here we come!", another user wrote.

""Starting over "? Meaning another 5 years of us waiting?", a third user wrote.

A few people also claimed that she was lying.

"I'm sick of her lies", a reaction reads.

"Tell me why I just knew she was lying before I even clicked on the video," a second reaction reads.

The reactions continued with people speculating about the release of the album.

"So about two more years…give or take. Noted", a user mentioned.

"That album never comin", another user mentioned.

"The album should be name "Pending"", a reaction stated.

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Rihanna has previously addressed her ninth album on various other occasions: Interview statements and other details

Although Rihanna has yet to confirm a release date for her upcoming album, she seemingly addressed the same in a conversation with Interview magazine in April this year. The Ocean's 8 star said at the time that she has many "visual ideas" and added:

"It's weird. My brain is working backward right now. I usually have the music first, and the music leads me into all of these visual opportunities, and now I'm having all of these visuals."

Notably, the Saint Michael, Barbados native has maintained a distance from music since 2017. This happened after the launch of Fenty Beauty the same year. The Guava Island star then addressed her upcoming album while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in April 2024. She said that the "stuff" from which she can make hit singles.

Rihanna even described the new album as "amazing" as she spoke to Elle Magazine the same month and added:

"It has to be – that is the only reason it's not out yet. If I'm not feeling it and I'm not feeling like it represents the evolution, the time I spent away. There should be a show of growth, right? I want to play, and I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at."

Rihanna was even questioned about the artists who would join her for R9. She replied by saying that she is not a "big collaborator" and that the idea is very simple for the album. However, she also said that she could not say anything with confirmation for now.

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In addition to her music, Rihanna is also working on her new untitled Smurf movie, which is slated to release on February 14, 2025.