It's been nine years since Rihanna dropped her last album ANTI. Since then, she collaborated with a few artists and recently shared a couple of new songs for movie soundtracks, including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the latest Smurfs film. Rihanna has also increased her net worth by expanding her Fenty empire. She released numerous clothing lines, hair and beauty products over the years, which have made her a billionaire. She also started a family with her boyfriend A$AP Rocky, and is expecting the couple's third child.

In between everything she's accomplished over the past nine years, Rihanna has also been recording her ninth studio album. The Grammy Award-winning artist has mostly kept the juicy details about her album to herself, but has managed to keep her navy by bay by drizzling vague updates about the project's status during interviews. The last time fans heard about it was during a red carpet interview at the launch of Fenty Hair in Los Angeles.

“Music for me is a new discovery," she told Entertainment Tonight last June. "I am re-discovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I kind of put all of that stuff aside. And now, I’m prepared to go back in the studio. NOW I’m prepared. So I’m gonna start... I’m starting over, but I don’t wanna neglect the songs that I have, so I wanna actually go back and listen to stuff with new ears, with my new perspective, and see what applies and see what I’m still in love with."

Stay tuned for more updates on Rihanna's 20-year celebrations.

Papa Keith