You can watch the new visual now.
Words by Bianca Betancourt
Rihanna is going back to basics for her comeback music video.
The global icon released the official visual for her Wakanda Forever soundtrack single “Lift Me Up” on Friday. The three-and-a-half-minute video is extremely intimate and emotional, clipping together scenes of Rihanna solo and singing on a sunset-lit beach as well as scenes from the upcoming Black Panther sequel. “Lift Me Up” is not only the lead single for the official Wakanda Forever soundtrack but also a musical tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred as T’Challa in the original blockbuster film and whose untimely death altered the story and course of the anticipated sequel.
To no one’s surprise, Rihanna is a vision in the music video, wearing a cream colored satin corset and maxi skirt with an oversized puffer coat and her hair in flowing, tousled waves as she belts the song’s heart-wrenching lyrics by a bonfire. The track was written by Rihanna herself along with Nigerian music star Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, and Wakanda Forever’s director Ryan Coogler.
“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” said Tems of the song’s creation, which took place in five different countries. “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
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This story originally appeared in harpersbazaar.com
