Rihanna has released "Lift Me Up," her first new song as a lead artist in six years, as part of the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
The raw, poignant ballad which was co-written by Rihanna, Tems, Ludwig Göransson, and the film's director, Ryan Coogler is a tribute to the life and legacy of late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020.
"Lift me up / Hold me down / Keep me close / Safe and sound," she sings in the track, a stripped-down affair anchored by piano, strings, and harp.
A choir surfaces to back her delicate vocals at the song's halfway mark.
Its simplicity is striking for Rihanna, who's become famous mostly for her sexy, defiant dance-pop bangers.
Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems explained in a press release that the inspiration for "Lift Me Up" came from a heartfelt conversation she had with Coogler.
She says after speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, she wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that she has lost in her life.
Tems says she tried to imagine what it would feel like if she could sing to them now and express how much she misses them.
She adds Rihanna has been an inspiration to her, so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.
Black Panther releases on November 11th.
[Source: ew.com]
