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we’re ridiculously ready for some new riri
It's been a great year for pop, but we've missed one thing: Robyn Rihanna Fenty. i-D looks forward to the point when the world receives her new record
With less than a fortnight until New Year's Eve, it's reasonably safe to presume that Rihanna won't be releasing any new music in 2014. Rumour has it that RiRi is about to "do a Beyoncé" and drop an entire album onto iTunes, but even she couldn't leave it this late in the year, could she? Then again, if anyone has the balls to unleash an LP right as Santa's collecting his big red coat from the dry cleaners, it's the 26-year-old Bajan beauty.
The world of mainstream music has really missed Rihanna this year. Taylor Swift released a fabulous pop album, preceded by a clever promo campaign featuring pre-release listening parties for hardcore fans and a launch gig live-streamed from a Manhattan rooftop. Sam Smith's sad, soulful songs about unrequited love made him the breakthrough success story of the year. Ed Sheeran is now such a big deal, apparently, that he can book in three dates at London's 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium for next July.
But what each of them (and virtually any other A-list artist) lacks is Rihanna's unique combination of superstar quality and genuine edge. You can imagine wandering into a dive bar in any city where she's on tour and ending up doing shots with her until 3am, but you'd still lose your **** when she came onstage the next night and belted out We Found Love.
The hype and love is real
