Rihanna’s new track mixes afrobeats and synth to hype up the release of the Smurfs movie in July 2025
Rihanna surprises again with the release of her newest single, Friend of Mine, a song that celebrates joy and friendship as it soundtracks the highly anticipated animated film The Smurfs, scheduled to premiere in July 2025. The track features an infectious fusion of Afrobeats rhythms, a rising West African musical genre, combined with modern synth elements, creating a fresh and vibrant sound.
A song made for dancing and having fun
Specially produced for the playful universe of the Smurfs, Friend of Mine carries a lively and danceable energy, ideal for children’s parties, celebrations and moments of celebration. Producer Jon Bellion, who worked on the song, expressed his desire for the song to be heard at various events, from baby showers to weddings and even traditional ceremonies, highlighting the universal power of the song’s sound and message.
Visual that enchants and connects with the film
Along with the release of the song, Rihanna released a charming music video that shows her dressed in a dark blue outfit, holding a giant flower that works as an umbrella, set inside the Smurfs’ village. The production is full of vibrant colors and features the characters Smurf and Smurfette dancing amidst playful animations, creating a direct connection with the film in which Rihanna also lends her voice to a character.
Expanding on the experience, Rihanna has launched a special line of Fenty Beauty products inspired by the Smurfs universe. The collection includes body creams, makeup sponges, mirrors, as well as accessories such as keychains, combs and hair clips, all featuring the characters’ blue faces. For the most dedicated fans, there is even a limited edition CD and cassette tape in sky blue with the Smurfs’ artwork on the cover.
With Friend of Mine, Rihanna not only delivers an engaging and festive song, but also reinforces her connection with different audiences, including children and fans of lively pop culture. The choice of Afrobeats as a musical base highlights her sensitivity and respect for global music trends, while also celebrating sonic and cultural diversity.
The release has already garnered millions of views on YouTube, with the music video surpassing 5.8 million views in just two days. Rihanna continues to show her strength as an artist, producer and icon of contemporary culture, always ready to embrace new projects and innovate in her career.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW SMURFS MOVIE:
The Smurfs Movie is an upcoming live-action and animated fantasy musical film based on the comic book series The Smurfs, created by Belgian artist Peyo. A reboot of the film franchise, the film is directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Matt Landon, with a screenplay by Pam Brady. The cast includes Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette, as well as a voice acting team that includes Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman.
In February 2022, it was announced that LAFIG Belgium and IMPS (currently known as Peyo Company), owners of the Smurfs brand, had entered into a partnership with Paramount Animation to produce multiple animated films, the first of which will be a musical. Pam Brady was hired to write the script, with production scheduled to begin later that year. In June 2022, Miller was chosen as director, and in April 2023, Rihanna joined the project as a voice actress and producer, in addition to composing and recording original songs for the film. The animation was handled by Cinesite.
