Rihanna admitted that her new song is in honour of Chadwick Boseman

So special.

Rihanna has made it "very clear" that the only reason she is releasing new music as part of the upcoming Black Panther sequel was in honour of the late Chadwick Boseman. Rihanna announced this week that she had recorded a new song, Lift Me Up, for the movie and that it would drop on Friday, the first music she has released since her 2016 album ANTI. According to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director, the only reason she was eager to get involved was to honour Chadwick's legacy. Chadwick sadly passed away in 2020 following a battle with cancer. Speaking about the new single at the premiere of the film, director Ryan Coogler said that many “improbable” things went on in order for it to be released. “Honestly, I think it was Chad,” he told PA on the red carpet. “A lot of improbable things needed to happen for it to come through and Rihanna was very clear that she did that for him.” Adding how much of a big deal it was, Michaela Coel said: "It’s kind of incredible because Rihanna doesn’t make music for any old person or project so it’s huge." Announcing the new song, Rihanna shared a snippet on social media, writing: “Lift me up. 10.28.22.” The singer announced she was expecting her first child as she was photographed debuting her baby bump during an outing with her boyfriend A$AP in Harlem, New York. The loved-up couple were spotted stopping their walk to hug and exchange a kiss. The star first sparked pregnancy rumours back in November 2021, when she accepted her National Hero of Barbados award. She denied she was expecting at the time in a response to a fan on Twitter. Rihanna welcomed her first child in May but has yet to confirm her baby's name and gender.