"Rihanna Shines in 'Smurfs' Animated Film with New Track 'Friend of Mine'"

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"Rihanna Shines in 'Smurfs' Animated Film with New Track 'Friend of Mine'"

[!CDATA[Rihanna enthusiasts can now celebrate as the long-awaited new music from the iconic singer is finally here, albeit in a different form. Rihanna will be lending her voice and musical talents to the upcoming animated film, "Smurfs," featuring a brand-new track. The movie stars Rihanna as Smurfette alongside a star-studded cast including John Goodman, James Corden, Sandra Oh, Nick Offerman, and more. The storyline follows the Smurf Village crew as they venture into the human world to rescue Papa Smurf from the clutches of the villainous Gargamel, voiced by J.P. Karliak. In a sneak peek from the trailer, Rihanna is seen embodying Smurfette, complete with a blue jacket and beads, as she records her character's lines. The teaser offers fans a glimpse into Rihanna's role as both a voice actor and executive producer, showcasing her seamless integration into the Smurf universe. The new track, "Friend of Mine," featured in the trailer, is an upbeat, Afrobeats-inspired dance anthem with the catchy refrain, "You're looking like a friend of mine." "Friend of Mine" marks Rihanna's first official release since her 2022 Oscar-nominated ballad, "Lift Me Up," from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." While it may not be a full album or an original song, the track serves as a treat for fans who have been eagerly awaiting new music from the artist. The "Smurfs" soundtrack is set to deliver even more musical talent, with contributions from South African rising star Tyla and a collaborative track titled "Higher Love" by DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and DESI TRILL. Rihanna's involvement in the project was initially announced at the 2023 CinemaCon, where she humorously mentioned recording during her third trimester. Despite being pregnant with her third child, Rihanna has reassured fans that her pregnancy will not hinder her music-making endeavors, hinting at the possibility of shooting music videos in the future. With "The Smurfs" scheduled to premiere on July 18, audiences can anticipate a vibrant adventure infused with Rihanna's signature charm and musical flair. The track "Friend of Mine" is set to be released on Friday, May 16, so make sure to pre-save the song for a dose of Rihanna's magic.]]