Pop superstar and business mogul Rihanna ends her musical drought today with the release of “Friend of Mine,” a new single for the upcoming “Smurfs” film soundtrack, as announced on social media.
The track, which premiered in the film’s trailer released on May 14, marks Rihanna’s first single since 2022’s “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The highly anticipated song offers fans a long-awaited taste of new Rihanna music after nearly three years.
The Grammy-winning artist isn’t just contributing to the soundtrack—she’s also voicing the lead character, Smurfette, in the animated musical comedy and serving as an executive producer on the project.
Paramount’s “Smurfs” reboot, directed by Chris Miller (“Shrek the Third,” “Puss in Boots”), follows Smurfette as she leads her blue companions on a mission to the real world after Papa Smurf is kidnapped by evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel.
The upcoming film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Sandra Oh, Daniel Levy, Nick Offerman, and John Goodman.
The soundtrack also features new music from rising star Tyla and the cross-continental collaboration “Higher Love” by DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and DESI TRILL. Written by Pam Brady, the latest installment in the “Smurfs” franchise is scheduled to hit theaters on July 18, 2025.
The “Smurfs” franchise, created by Belgian comics artist Peyo, moved to Paramount and Nickelodeon in 2022 after previous film adaptations at Sony Pictures.
Listen to “Friend of Mine” here.