Rihanna’s Music Had a ‘Meaningful Effect’ on ‘Black Panther’ Director Ryan Coogler
Rihanna is back, with a confirmed Super Bowl performance and two songs on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Hereās what the Marvel director, Ryan Coogler, said about her inclusion in the 2022 blockbuster ā and her impact on his life.
Rihanna sang āLift Me Upā and āBorn Againā for the āBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverā soundtrack
Rihanna is back with āLift Me Up,ā an original song created for Marvelās feature film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This was an especially significant release for Rihanna fans, as the artist took a step back from music to focus on her Fenty empire. This marks her return to performing, with Rihanna scheduled to perform at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The artist also lent her voice āBorn Againā for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The song played during the credits for Marvelās original film, since earning over 4 million Spotify plays.
āBlack Pantherā director, Ryan Coogler commented on Rihannaās involvement in Marvelās film
This Marvel blockbuster was created in part by Coogler. The director commented on the inclusion of Rihanna in this production (and her musicās impact on his life).
āRihanna, Iāve been listening to her since she came out, since āPon de Replay,āā Coogler said during a Billboard interview. āAnd her music has had a very meaningful effect on my life and the life of my family. I think back on some of our most memorable moments, and she was like a soundtrack for a lot of them. So it was amazing that it worked out.ā
Of course, Rihanna is best known for chart-topping hits like āThis Is What You Came Here For,ā āLove On the Brain,ā āUmbrella,ā and āDonāt Stop the Music.ā She earned several Grammy Awards and international recognition. In recent years, Rihanna launched Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty.Ā
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack features Burna Boy, PinkPantheress, Snow Tha Product, and other musicians.Ā
SZA and Kendrick Lamar appeared on the soundtrack for the original āBlack Pantherā film
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the second installment in Marvelās Black Panther story. As the first movie without Chadwick Boseman as the title character, the film touches on his death and its impact on his family, friends, and the country of Wakanda. As a nod to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever story, āLift Me Upā tells the story of love and loss.Ā
āDrowning in an endless sea,ā Rihanna sings. āTake some time and stay with me / Keep me in the strength of your arms / Keep me safe / Safe and sound.ā
For the original Black Panther soundtrack, SZA and Kendrick Lamar collaborated on āAll the Stars.ā The track was added to Black Panther Music From and Inspired By, curated by Lamar. Now, āAll the Starsā hold over a billion Spotify plays.Ā