Rihanna shocked fans with her return to the music industry for the first time in six years after being involved with the film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's" official soundtrack.
A few weeks ago, the pop star released "Lift Me Up" which is a power ballad, a track that sounds different from her previous projects. Now that the film has been officially released, her second contribution "Born Again" is now available for streaming.
During a press conference for the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, director Ryan Coogler was asked about the "What's My Name" hitmaker's involvement in the official soundtrack.
Coogler said he couldn't take "sole credit" for making Rihanna agree to be a part of the project as he got help from composer Ludwig Göransson as well as Roc Nation's Jay-Z and Jay Brown.
At the time of the film's conception, the director said they were looking for an artist who could tell "Wakanda Forever's" story, embrace the film's themes, and present it to the public in a different way.
He credited Kendrick Lamar for doing it in the first movie but clarified that the latest film is far different.
"You know, it made sense that it would be a woman, it made sense that it could be someone who could speak to, not necessarily the words, but the feeling of motherhood, because that's a major theme in this film," he explained. (via Uproxx)
READ ALSO: Taylor Swift 'The Eras Tour' 2023: Dates, 17 New Venues, How to Get Tickets?
What Made Rihanna Say Yes to Work on 'Wakanda Forever's Official Soundtrack
Coogler further explained that it was the film's trailer that made Rihanna ultimately agree to work on the project as it was the perfect timing for her.
At the time, the director said the singer was "in that kinda space in her life." After watching the trailer, Rihanna saw the performances of the actors and told him that she wanted to see the film and see what she could figure out.
"We collaborated with this incredible singer Tems. And she and I wrote the words, Ludwig made the music. The music was recorded on, like, three continents," he added.
According to The Root, the song "Lift Me Up" was written as a tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman who starred in the first "Black Panther" film.
Both Rihanna's song in the movie, as well as the entirety of the soundtrack, is now available for streaming.
READ MORE: Rihanna New Album 2022: Singer Says 'Don't Get Your Hopes Up'
