Rihanna is back to "Work," according to A$AP Rocky!
While out and about in Paris on Friday, the Grammy-nominated rapper, 35, was asked by a Rihanna fan about her upcoming 9th studio album, which has yet to receive a release date or confirmed title.
After the fan encouraged the rapper to talk to Rihanna "about the album," Rocky responded with a brief update.
"She's working on it," he said with a smile in a fan-shot video shared on social media on Saturday, appearing to clarify that the Fenty Beauty founder and mother of their two children, 35, hasn't ruled out a new album.
His response received cheers from several fans on the street, as well as shouts of, "we love you, A$AP!"
Rocky's album update comes over eight years after the release of Riri's Grammy-nominated LP Anti, which featured hits such as "Work," "Love On the Brain" and "Kiss It Better."
However, her next release has received no formal announcement and the music superstar kept things on the low when asked for an update on her music in December. During a red carpet conversation with Highsnobiety, Rihanna was asked if music was "perhaps" among her plans for 2024.
"I mean, I can't tell you everything, girl," Rihanna said, joking: "It's giving crystal ball."
Also in December, superstar producer James Fauntleroy confirmed to PEOPLE that he had been working on new material for his longtime collaborator. The pair previously began working together with Rihanna's 2009 LP Rated R.
“I've known her for so long, and the last session I did for her was last week," he said at the time. "So I've known her for so long, and I think the biggest lesson I learned, whether I knew or not, was just confirmed by her ascent from pop starlet to literal billionaire is the value of taste."
Last February, Rihanna opened up to Good Morning America's Michael Strahan after her performance at the Super Bowl, when she shared that she was aware fans wanted "more" from her in terms on music.
"They are waiting," she said at the time. "I'm excited to actually put new music out but I don't have any updates for you on that yet."
The musician last released music for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack in 2022, including hit "Life Me Up" and album cut "Born Again."
"Lift Me Up" was nominated for best original song at the Academy Awards in 2023, and also earned a Grammy nod at this year's ceremony in the best song written for visual media category.
While it's unclear how much Rihanna is focusing on music in her free time, she's also been busy both running a fashion and beauty empire and raising her two children with ASAP Rocky — RZA Athelston, 21 months, and Riot Rose, 6 months.
The musician told Page Six in December that she now loves her partner "differently" as a father. "This is major, major...it's a turn on," she said. "It's just like, wow. What a leader, what a great, patient loving...and my kids are obsessed with him."
ASAP Rocky also sang Rihanna's praises in a conversation with Complex in November, when asked if he would ever consider collaborating with her on a Puma project. “I think we do a real great job at collaborating and making children," he responded.
“I think that’s our best creation so far,” he said. “Nothing’s better than that.”
