Rihanna’s latest music drop has not landed well with many of her fans.
After three years without releasing a new track, excitement was high for her new song Friend Of Mine, which she recorded for the upcoming Smurfs movie where she voices Smurfette.
But what was supposed to be a triumphant return quickly turned into a wave of disappointment and criticism online.
Fans Slam Friend Of Mine for Repetitive Lyrics and Lackluster Vocals
The 37-year-old superstar, who last released a single with Lift Me Up for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022 and hasn’t put out a full album since 2016’s Anti, got a rough reception.
Listeners took aim at everything from the vocals to the tune, but it was the repetitive lyrics — mostly just the phrase “Friend of Mine” repeated again and again — that drew the most ire.
One fan expressed disbelief over the songwriting credits, tweeting, “Rihanna needed 7 writers for Friend of Mine… I can’t take this anymore. 20 years in the Rihanna Navy and the disrespect I am given…” Another was blunt: “This comeback song is unlistenable! Rihanna should seriously never come back to music since she has nothing to offer other than mediocrity.”
Social Media Reacts with Sarcasm and Disbelief
The reaction kept piling on, with many accusing the track of sounding like it was “AI generated.” Comments ranged from “Just keep the album girl” to “Girl, this is horrible.” One user joked, “Oh Rihanna… you either sold your voice to an AI company or they didn’t pay you enough for this movie, so you said ‘Friend of Mine’ once and they just copy-pasted it over a beat.” Another fan lamented, “The Navy is lost for words, so was Rihanna and the six others who wrote this song.”
The harshest criticism came from a fan who called Friend Of Mine her “worst song ever.” Others mocked the songwriting, sarcastically noting, “Girl, imagine giving credit to your writing skills with 3 words: FRIEND OF MINE.” Fans clearly expected much more from an artist of Rihanna’s caliber.
Behind the Scenes: Songwriters Defend the Track’s Creation
One of the many writers behind the song, music producer Jon Bellion, shared some insight into how Friend Of Mine came to be. Speaking to Billboard, he said the song was created over three days during a relaxed “music camp” at his vacation home in the Hamptons last summer. He described it as “a bunch of people having a blast, jamming and playing chords, just having fun,” which he believes is why the track sounds fresh and natural.
Rihanna’s Busy Life: New Movie, Pregnancy, and Upcoming Album
While the song might not have pleased everyone, Rihanna is busy on several fronts. She’s lending her voice to the Smurfs movie, joining an impressive cast that includes John Goodman as Papa Smurf, Sandra Oh, Nick Offerman, and James Corden.
Last week, Rihanna revealed she’s expecting her third child, announcing her pregnancy on the Met Gala red carpet where she supported her longtime partner, A$AP Rocky.
Despite the news, she reassured fans that her pregnancy wouldn’t delay her much-anticipated ninth album.
“I can still sing!” she joked, admitting only a few videos might be postponed.
What Fans Can Expect From Rihanna’s Next Album
Rihanna has been teasing this new album for months.
She told Harper’s Bazaar she’s been searching for the right sound for eight years, going through many creative phases. S
he promised the album won’t be what anyone expects — it won’t be commercial or radio-friendly, but rather a true expression of where she is as an artist now.
“I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!” she said, hinting at a fresh, authentic project that reflects her artistic growth.