Rihanna Wakanda Song Overview
The song associated with Rihanna and the Wakanda franchise is "Lift Me Up," released as a single for the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The track was written by Rihanna, Ludwig Göransson, Ryan Coogler, and Tems, with production led by Göransson. It was released in October 2022 through Westbury Road Entertainment and Roc Nation. The song features Rihanna's vocals layered over a cinematic arrangement that blends Afrobeats influences with orchestral elements. The official audio is hosted on major streaming platforms, and the track is credited as a solo performance by Rihanna with Tems providing additional vocals on the chorus.
"Lift Me Up" achieved immediate commercial traction upon release. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 on several international charts, including the UK Singles Chart. The song also entered the top 20 of the Billboard Global 200. Its streaming numbers on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music placed it among the highest-performing singles from the Black Panther franchise soundtracks. The track was nominated for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards and for Best R&B Performance at the Grammy Awards.
Production and Creative Team
Ludwig Göransson's Role
Ludwig Göransson, the composer for both Black Panther films, produced the instrumentation for "Lift Me Up." He is known for blending traditional African percussion and instrumentation with modern orchestral scoring. Göransson has won multiple Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for his work on the first Black Panther film. His production on "Lift Me Up" incorporated live strings, brass, and electronic elements to create a cinematic texture. The score for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was recorded with a full orchestra at multiple studios in Los Angeles.
Rihanna's Vocal and Artistic Direction
Rihanna co-wrote the lyrics for "Lift Me Up," drawing on themes of loss, resilience, and tribute. Her vocal delivery on the track is characterized by a restrained, emotive style compared to her pop and dance releases. The song's arrangement was designed to support the narrative tone of the film's tribute to the character of T'Challa and the broader Wakanda universe. Rihanna's label, Westbury Road Entertainment, managed the single's release in coordination with Marvel Studios and Disney Music Group. The song's official music video, directed by Dave Meyers, features footage from the film alongside new visual elements.
Chart Performance and Streaming Data
Billboard and International Chart Rankings
"Lift Me Up" debuted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 10 in several European and African markets. On the Billboard Global 200, the song reached the top 10 within its first week of tracking. The track's chart longevity was supported by continued streaming and periodic spikes tied to the film's theatrical run and home media release.
Streaming and Sales Figures
As of the latest available public data, "Lift Me Up" has accumulated hundreds of millions of streams across major platforms. On Spotify, the song has been streamed over 300 million times as of mid-2024, placing it among Rihanna's most-streamed tracks. Apple Music reported strong first-week playback numbers, with the song reaching the top of the platform's global chart. The single's digital sales contributed to its certification status, with gold and platinum awards granted in multiple countries. The track remains a key entry in Rihanna's discography and in the broader Marvel music