Rihanna, the global superstar and Fenty mogul found herself in the hot seat after a surprising karaoke performance in New York City.
Videos from the ‘Girls Love Karaoke’ event showed the singer belting out her hits Needed Me and Sex With Me.
RIHANNA LETS LOOSE
However, her vocals struck a sour note with fans online.
“Chii, the mic was bleeding,” wrote one X (formerly Twitter) user, mocking the performance.
Another added, “Help, this is horrible.” The criticism didn’t stop there.
“My cat can sing better,” one comment read, while another claimed, “I didn’t know singing a simple note was this hard.”
At 36 years old, Rihanna has not released an album since her 2016 hit Anti, according to Daily Mail.
This extended hiatus appears to have only fuelled the backlash.
RIHANNA FANS REACT
Some fans expressed disappointment that she opted for karaoke instead of delivering new music, according to the Daily Express.
“She’s out here doing karaoke while we’re waiting for an album,” one frustrated fan tweeted.
In South Africa, where Rihanna’s music remains a staple, the news has sparked lively debate.
“She’s human; let her have fun,” commented Thandi Mahlangu, a fan from Johannesburg.
“But really, we want new music. It’s been ages!”
Despite the wave of criticism, some fans defended the singer, praising her casual vibe.
“She’s just having fun,” one supporter posted. Another said, “Her voice reminds me of Whitney Houston.”
RIHANNA’S FASHION DETAILS
Rihanna herself seemed unbothered, wearing a graphic T-shirt, jeans, and R27,000 Bottega Veneta boots. She topped the outfit with an oversized fur hat, according to Page Six.
The pop icon has hinted that music might no longer be her top priority.
Last month, she sparked retirement rumours, saying, “Music was the thing that got the attention, but God had other plans for me.”
She has focused on her Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty brands instead. Some fans, however, aren’t ready to say goodbye to her music career.
“This feels like the end of an era,” said Bongani Dlamini, a Cape Town-based DJ. “Rihanna’s voice has always been unique. If this is the end, it’s a loss for the industry.”
FUN AT KARAOKE
Others pointed to the fact that karaoke isn’t about perfection.
“It’s a bit unfair to judge her singing at a casual event,” said Nandi Khumalo from Durban. “She’s not performing for an award show; she’s having fun!”
NEW MUSIC?
The debate continues, with many hoping the karaoke night was just Rihanna blowing off steam before returning to the studio.
Until then, South Africans, like fans worldwide, will keep streaming her classics while waiting for a long-overdue comeback.
As Rihanna once sang, “Please don’t stop the music.” But for now, it seems she might have already pressed pause.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RUMOURS OF RIHANNA RETIRING FROM MUSIC?
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