Released on October 28, 2022, "" by Rihanna serves as a poignant R&B ballad and a central tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman . It marked Rihanna's first solo music release in six years and is the lead single from the soundtrack for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever . Key Meaning and Inspiration
: Co-writer Tems intended the lyrics to portray a "warm embrace" from lost loved ones. She imagined singing to those she missed, expressing the yearning for their presence and comfort. Rihanna - Lift Me Up (From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
: "Lift me up / Hold me down / Keep me close / Safe and sound". Released on October 28, 2022, "" by Rihanna
: The song plays during the movie's end credits, providing a final moment of reflection after the film's exploration of loss. She imagined singing to those she missed, expressing
: In the film, the lyrics parallel the journey of Princess Shuri , who seeks comfort and acceptance from her family in the "ancestral plane" after her brother T'Challa's death. Notable Lyrics Excerpts
: The song was written as a dedicated honor to the original Black Panther star who passed away in 2020. Director Ryan Coogler stated that Rihanna joined the project specifically to honor Boseman's legacy.