The perception that global icon Rihanna has stopped making music is a widespread narrative among fans and media, yet it misframes a complex reality. A more accurate analysis reveals not a cessation, but a profound strategic shift in priority. The artist, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, has not retired. Instead, she has redirected her formidable focus from the relentless album-and-tour cycle to building a disruptive, billion-dollar business empire and embracing a new, demanding personal role as a mother.
Recent evidence confirms her musical pulse, however faint, continues to beat. Her 2022 track, “Lift Me Up,” from a major superhero film soundtrack, earned her an Academy Award nomination. This was followed by her monumental 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show, a 13-minute medley celebrating her vast catalog—a performance she delivered while visibly pregnant with her second child. These high-profile events demonstrate that music remains part of her identity, but it no longer serves as her sole professional focus.
The Billion-Dollar Pivot: From Pop Icon to Business Mogul
The turning point is clearly identifiable: 2017. One year after releasing her critically-lauded and commercially successful eighth studio album, *Anti*, Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty. This was not a typical celebrity-endorsed side project; it was a ground-up venture that fundamentally disrupted the cosmetics industry. Its “beauty for all” mission, launching with an unprecedented 40 shades of foundation, triggered what industry insiders call the “Fenty Effect,” forcing legacy brands to expand their own product lines to be more inclusive.
Fenty Beauty’s success was immediate and astronomical, catapulting Rihanna to billionaire status. This venture was quickly followed by Savage X Fenty, an inclusive lingerie brand, and Fenty Skin. These companies are not passive investments; they demand executive-level attention, strategic planning, and design oversight from their founder. Industry analysts observe that Rihanna transitioned from being a product of the music industry to being a chief executive of her own enterprises, a move that provides financial security and creative control far beyond what even a superstar music career can offer.
A New Chapter: Motherhood and Personal Priorities
The second major factor in her priority shift is personal. In May 2022, Rihanna gave birth to her first child, a son, with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky. Her second child, another son, followed in August 2023. As she has publicly stated, motherhood has fundamentally reshaped her life, her schedule, and her perspective.
This reality was put on global display during her 2023 Super Bowl performance. It served less as a traditional “comeback” and more as a powerful statement of her current identity: a celebration of her past work while simultaneously revealing her new pregnancy. Sources close to the artist have noted that her focus is on her young family, a demanding role that she has prioritized. The logistics, time, and emotional energy required to raise two young children are immense, and this new chapter naturally supersedes the grueling demands of recording, promoting, and touring a new album.
The “R9” Enigma: What Happened to the Music?
The core of fan frustration lies with the long-anticipated, ninth studio album, colloquially dubbed “R9.” The gap since 2016’s *Anti* is the longest of her career, which previously saw her release albums almost annually. However, Rihanna has never claimed the project was abandoned. In numerous public statements and interviews over the past few years, she has confirmed she is working on it, but on her own terms.
She has expressed that the pressure to top *Anti*, an album widely regarded as her creative peak, is immense. She has also stated that she wants the process to be “fun” and authentic, refusing to release music simply to meet a deadline or fulfill a quota. This perspective, afforded to her by her financial independence, means she is no longer beholden to a record label’s traditional release schedule. She is operating as an auteur, not an employee, and will release the music when she feels it is complete and culturally relevant.
Recent Musical Footprints: The Super Bowl and Wakanda Forever
To claim she has “stopped” making music is factually incorrect, given her recent work. The 2022 release of “Lift Me Up” was a significant musical moment. As a tender tribute, the song was a global hit and demonstrated her ability to command the charts, even after a multi-year hiatus. Its subsequent Oscar nomination for Best Original Song reaffirmed her critical standing in the music world.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show, while relying on her back catalog, was one of the most-watched musical performances in recent history. It served as a powerful reminder of her cultural dominance and her arsenal of hits. It was a performance that only an artist of her stature could deliver, solidifying her legacy and proving her stage presence remains undiminished, even as her daily focus has shifted.
Expert Analysis: The Evolution of a Modern Icon
Music industry analysts view Rihanna’s career trajectory not as an ending, but as a groundbreaking evolution. She has redefined what it means to be a modern superstar. She leveraged her musical platform to build an autonomous, long-term business empire, a move that grants her unprecedented power. She is no longer required to participate in the music industry’s demanding cycle to maintain her wealth or influence.
This shift from recording artist to mogul and mother is the definitive answer to the question. Rihanna didn’t stop making music because she failed or faded; she simply diversified her focus. She is now in a position of power where she, and she alone, dictates the terms of her creative output—a status few artists ever achieve. The music, as she has promised, will come. But it will come on her schedule, balancing her roles as CEO, mother, and artist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Rihanna officially retired from music?
No. Rihanna has repeatedly stated in public interviews that she has not retired from music. She has confirmed she is working on new material, but is not adhering to a specific timeline for its release.
What was Rihanna’s last full album?
Rihanna’s last full studio album was *Anti*, which was released in January 2016. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it has remained on the music charts for years, demonstrating its longevity.
Did Rihanna release any new music recently?
Yes. In October 2022, Rihanna released the song “Lift Me Up” as the lead single for a major motion picture soundtrack. The song earned her nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
What are Rihanna’s businesses?
Rihanna is the founder of several highly successful companies, most notably the cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty. She also founded the lingerie brand Savage X Fenty and the skincare brand Fenty Skin.
How many children does Rihanna have?
Rihanna has two children with her partner, A$AP Rocky. Her first son, RZA, was born in May 2022, and her second son, Riot Rose, was born in August 2023.