Rihanna has released the official music video for her new single Lift Me Up, which is her first single in six years and the leading track for the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever original soundtrack.
The 34-year-old Barbadian singer made her triumphant return to the music scene on Friday with the release of the track, which was recorded for the upcoming film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The emotional video sees shots of the singer on a beach, with waves crashing in the background, interspersed with footage from the film, which is due to be released on November 11.
Rihanna sings as the sun goes down and ash from a nearby bonfire floats in the air.
Wakanda ForeveRRRR!!! #LiftMeUp music video out NOW 🙅🏾♀️🖤 https://t.co/xeQomUDH4x pic.twitter.com/dSsvFeEl9W
— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 28, 2022
Clips from the film include shots of Queen Ramonda, played by Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright as Shuri, dressed in tribal regalia, and a tearful Danai Gurira, who plays the fierce warrior Okoye.
Announcing the video's release on social media, Rihanna shared a short clip with the caption "Wakanda ForeveRRRR!!!".
Lift Me Up features a stripped back melody, with delicate strings that underplay the singer’s soulful vocals.
"Lift me up, hold me down, keep me close, safe and sound," she sings.
"Hold me when you go to sleep, keep me in the warmth of your love when you depart, keep me safe and sound."
The song swells with melancholy and the singer is accompanied by a subtle backing choir.
Rihanna last released solo music in 2016 with her eighth studio album Anti.
Source: Press Association
