Rihanna Hints at New Music While Bonding with Angel Reese at the Footwear News Awards
Rihanna fans may finally have reason to hope for new music from the global superstar after her recent interaction with WNBA star Angel Reese. The pair crossed paths at the 2024 Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City on December 4, where a playful exchange hinted at a potential collaboration.
During a selfie video, Reese boldly asked Rihanna about the possibility of working together, revealing her interest in music. “I wanna work with you one day,” Reese said. Rihanna’s response was swift and encouraging: “Let’s do it! I’m always ready!”
Reese later celebrated the moment on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “I literally manifest everything,” alongside the clip of their interaction. Fans of both stars have since been buzzing with excitement over the prospect of this unexpected duo joining forces.
Rihanna’s Ambiguous Relationship with Music
The interaction comes just weeks after Rihanna made headlines by suggesting she might be stepping back from music. Speaking at a Fenty Beauty launch event in her native Barbados, Rihanna reflected on her journey, hinting that her creative focus has shifted to other ventures like her successful lingerie and skincare brands.
“Music was the thing that got the attention,” she said. “But God had other plans for me, and I was able to create in ways that were very sincere and organic to the things that I love.”
Rihanna emphasized how her non-musical projects allow her to connect with her community in meaningful ways, adding: “It doesn’t even feel like a job.”
Given that her last studio album, ANTI, was released in 2016, and her musical contributions since then have been sparse — including her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack appearances in 2022 — fans have grown used to waiting. However, this new interaction with Angel Reese might reignite hopes for more from RiRi’s music catalog.
Balancing Family, Business, and Creativity
Rihanna’s hiatus from music has been marked by significant personal and professional milestones. She and her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, are raising their two young children, RZA (2) and Riot Rose (1), while also managing her billion-dollar Fenty empire.
Despite her packed schedule, Rihanna’s playful willingness to explore new creative collaborations — even with unexpected partners like Angel Reese — suggests that she hasn’t closed the door on music entirely.
Will Rihanna Deliver?
Rihanna’s response to Reese’s request has fueled speculation, but fans remain cautious. Over the years, the artist has teased new projects, only to focus on other endeavors. Still, with Reese’s enthusiasm and Rihanna’s undeniable star power, this could mark the beginning of something exciting.
Whether this moment leads to a musical collaboration or simply adds to Rihanna’s lore as a cultural icon, one thing is clear: her fans are ready for whatever comes next. For now, we’ll have to wait and see if Rihanna and Angel Reese turn this playful exchange into a chart-topping reality.
