Rihanna is finally back and the music world is celebrating. After three long years without a new song, the global superstar has dropped a fresh track titled Friend of Mine. Released on Friday, May 16, the upbeat single is part of the soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs movie, where she also voices the beloved character Smurfette.

This marks Rihanna’s first release since 2022’s Lift Me Up, made for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Before that, fans had been waiting even longer — her last full album Anti came out in 2016. That’s why this moment is so huge. After such a long break, hearing new music from Rihanna again feels like a major comeback.

Friend of Mine is fun, vibrant, and has an Afrobeat-inspired sound that brings fresh energy. It fits perfectly into the colorful world of the Smurfs. Earlier this week, a trailer gave fans a sneak peek. It showed Smurfette dancing and singing in the heart of Smurf Village, giving a taste of what was coming.

Rihanna didn’t just lend her voice to the film. She also worked behind the scenes as one of the producers. The movie, set to premiere on July 18, features other big names like John Goodman, Sandra Oh, James Corden, and Nick Offerman. The soundtrack is stacked too, with music from DJ Khaled, Cardi B, DESI TRILL, and South African star Tyla.

She first revealed her Smurfette role during CinemaCon 2023 while pregnant. At the time, she joked, “I get to show up in my PJs in my third trimester … I hope this gives me cool points with my kids one day.”

Now pregnant with her third child with A$AP Rocky, Rihanna recently showed off her baby bump at the 2025 Met Gala. But it’s her return to music that has everyone talking. After years away from the mic, Rihanna is finally back and she didn’t disappoint.

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