Rihanna Says She's 'Starting Over' with R9 but Is 'Not Retired'

Rihanna Says She's 'Starting Over' with R9 but Is 'Not Retired': 'I'm Rediscovering Things'

In interviews with 'ET' and 'EXTRA,' Rihanna also clarified that she's "not retired," despite wearing a T-shirt that said "I'm Retired"

Ilana Kaplan

Published on June 11, 2024 05:05PM EDT

Rihanna stepped out in NYC with her beau A$AP Rocky strategically covering her belly with her purse — Rihanna in New York City on June 6, 2024. Photo:
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Rihanna is stopping the music for something new.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday, June 11, the Fenty founder, 36, opened up about the status of her music after rocking a T-shirt with the phrase "I'm Retired" on it recently.

"People got triggered with that retired word," Rihanna told the outlet. "They were like 'We're never getting an album now.' No one read the other line, it was something about, 'This is as dressed up as I get.'"

She also told EXTRA that she's "not retired:" "I’m not retired. I just liked that dress. I got it as a gift and I loved it…."

Rihanna attends the Rihanna x Fenty Hair Los Angeles Launch Party — Rihanna at the Rihanna x Fenty Hair launch party on June 10, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Rihanna also told ET that she's "starting over" when it comes to R9.

"I think that music, for me, is a new discovery," said the "Umbrella" musician. "I'm rediscovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside and now I'm prepared to go back in the studio. I'm gonna start -- give me a second!"

Rihanna added, "Yeah, I'm starting over. But I don't want to neglect the songs that I have, so I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears, with my new perspective and then see what applies and what I'm still in love with."

In the conversation with EXTRA, the pop/R&B singer — who shares son RZA, 2, and Riot, 10 months, with A$AP Rocky, also discussed her desire to have a baby girl.

“Everybody is pushing for that. Look, if I ever get a daughter, I'm gonna show her so much footage — she’s been talked about forever," Rihanna told the publication, adding: "A spicy little girl would be so fun.”

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Rihanna attends the FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty Earth Tone Launch Party — Rihanna in London in April 2024.
Neil Mockford/WireImage

In April, the "California King" performer opened up about the status of R9 in another conversation with EXTRA.

"It's gonna be amazing," Rihanna told the publication. "It has to be — that is the only reason it's not out yet. If I'm not feeling it and I'm not feeling like it represents the evolution, the time I spent away. There should be a show of growth, right?"

She added: "I want to play, and I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at."