It’s been a while, but fans finally have new solo music from Rihanna to enjoy.
The Fenty founder's song Lift Me Up, from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, was released on Friday. The soft ballad is a tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who played T'Challa/Black Panther in the first film, and died aged 43 from colon cancer in 2020.
“Lift me up. Hold me down. Keep me close. Safe and sound,” she sings. “Burning in a hopeless dream. Hold me when you go to sleep. Keep me in the warmth of your love when you depart. Keep me safe, safe and sound.”
Rihanna also unveiled a moving music video for the song later the day, featuring scenes from the soon-to-be-released film. The song was written in collaboration with fellow artist Tems, Oscar-winner Ludwig Goransson and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.
This is the singer's first solo work since her 2016 album Anti, which features tracks such as Work, Kiss It Better and Love on the Brain.
Since Lift Me Up's release, there's been tonnes of reaction on social media, with many already praising the song.
One fan shared used a meme to illustrate their response to the new music.
“Rihanna really came and delivered beautiful ballad soundtrack song after 6 years of hiatus,” said user Babyloniaan. “She never misses with her music, another hit incoming.”
“It was so refreshing to hear her voice again,” replied user GagaTheExplorer.
Another user Heir_Fenty22 tweeted two images to show how she felt about the new song.
Another user Eric Franken-cisco said that he would keep his thoughts about the movie until he saw it but said the song was “perfect for it”.
However, not everyone was impressed especially because there's been such a long break since between songs. One user TAshmiracleshow called the song "boring".
Other fans have taken to responding to the idea that Rihanna's comeback song should have been a different type of genre altogether, while others questioned exactly what they were expecting.
But in the end, it seems as though most people in general were just happy to hear new music from her.
Scroll through the gallery to see photos of Rihanna through the years
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
Honeymoonish
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
