The pop icon is back with a danceable Afrobeats-inspired single — and she's also voicing Smurfette
Take a deep breath, Rihanna fans — your wait is over. The superstar is officially back in the music game with “Friend of Mine,” her first new single in nearly three years. The song will feature on the soundtrack of the upcoming Smurfs movie and is set for release on Friday, May 16.
Infused with Afrobeats energy and a danceable vibe, “Friend of Mine” already made a splash after being featured in the film’s latest trailer. In a teaser that has fans buzzing, Rihanna delivers the catchy line: “You’re looking like a friend of mine” over breezy, rhythmic production that’s tailor-made for summer playlists.
But RiRi isn’t just contributing musically — she’s also lending her voice to the iconic Smurfette, and serving as an executive producer on the film. The all-star cast includes John Goodman, James Corden, Nick Offerman, and Sandra Oh, as the Smurfs find themselves on a mission through the human world to rescue Papa Smurf from the clutches of the evil Gargamel.
This marks Rihanna’s first new track since 2022’s emotional “Lift Me Up” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Her last studio album, ANTI, dates all the way back to 2016, yet despite being pregnant with her third child, she’s made it clear that her musical spark hasn’t faded. “I might not be making music videos right now, but I’m still singing!” she told reporters at this year’s Met Gala.
The Smurfs movie hits theaters on July 18, with a soundtrack stacked with stars — including Tyla, DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and DESI TRILL, who contribute the high-energy anthem “Higher Love.”
