Inside ‘Friend of Mine’: How Rihanna’s First New Song in Three Years Became a Smurfs Anthem

The year is 2025. For music fans, the landscape has been defined as much by what is present as what has been absent. For nearly a decade, with the exception of the poignant 2022 ballad "Lift Me Up," the world has been waiting for the true musical return of Rihanna. The release of her 2016 masterpiece, Anti, marked a creative high point and the beginning of a long, deafening silence from one of pop music's most influential and chameleonic artists. In the intervening years, she became a cultural force of a different kind—a business mogul with her Fenty empire, a fashion icon, and a mother. But the question always lingered: when would the music return?

The answer, when it finally arrived, was as unexpected as it was delightful. It didn't come in the form of a surprise album drop or a high-concept art piece. Instead, Rihanna's grand return to the pop soundscape was painted blue. The announcement that she would not only voice the iconic character of Smurfette in Paramount's new animated feature, The Smurfs Movie, but also write and perform original songs, was a curveball no one saw coming. The lead single, "Friend of Mine," an effervescent, beat-driven earworm, became the first taste of this new era. This wasn't just a song for a movie; it was a carefully orchestrated cultural moment, a declaration that Rihanna was back, and this time, she was bringing the whole family along. This article delves into the story behind "Friend of Mine," exploring how the combination of a superstar's long-awaited return, a beloved global franchise, and a perfectly crafted pop song created the year's most unlikely and infectious anthem. It’s a story about the magic of cinema and music, a kind of magic often found in the most memorable family-friendly adventure movies that truly scream summer.

The Return of a Titan: A Calculated Comeback

To understand the impact of "Friend of Mine," one must first understand the context of Rihanna's absence. After Anti, an album that solidified her status as a critical darling and an artistic trailblazer, she pivoted. The Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty lines weren't just side hustles; they were revolutionary, industry-disrupting ventures that demanded her full attention. Music, it seemed, was on the back burner. Fans, affectionately known as The Navy, clamoured for "R9," the fabled ninth studio album, turning every social media post and public appearance into a forensic investigation for clues.

Her 2022 contribution to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, "Lift Me Up," was a beautiful and sombre tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, but it was a standalone piece, an elegy rather than a new chapter. It showcased her vocal maturity but didn't signal a return to the pop dominance she once commanded. Then came the announcement in April 2023 at CinemaCon. Stating, "I hope this gives me a little bit of cool points with my kids one day," Rihanna revealed her dual role in The Smurfs Movie as producer and the voice of Smurfette, along with providing new music.

This wasn't a random choice; it was a strategic and deeply personal one. Now a mother of two young sons, aligning with a globally recognized, family-friendly brand like The Smurfs was a masterstroke. It allowed her to re-enter the musical arena on her own terms, in a space that reflected her new life stage. It was a move away from the "bad gal" persona and towards a more universal, celebratory sound. The Smurfs offered a platform that was both massive in scale and refreshingly low-pressure compared to a traditional album rollout. She wasn't just releasing a song; she was reintroducing herself to a new generation while engaging her loyal fanbase with a delightful surprise. This careful curation of a career comeback is fascinating, much like digging into the history and evolution of an iconic character like Superman. For fans eager to own a piece of this comeback, the movie itself is a great place to start, and you can purchase The Smurfs Movie on 4K Blu-ray here.

“A Voice So Blue”: The Significance of Smurfette

Rihanna's involvement goes far beyond the soundtrack. Her casting as Smurfette is a pivotal piece of the puzzle. Smurfette is one of the most recognizable female characters in animation history, but her origins are complex. In the original comics by Peyo, she was created by the evil wizard Gargamel as a spy to sow jealousy and discord among the all-male Smurfs. It was only through Papa Smurf's magic that she was transformed into the kind, blonde-haired Smurfette we know today.

The 2025 film leans into this identity crisis. The screenplay, penned by South Park writer Pam Brady, seeks to answer the fundamental question: "What is a Smurf?" This places Smurfette's journey of self-discovery and belonging at the very centre of the narrative. Rihanna, an artist who has masterfully crafted and recrafted her own public image for nearly two decades, is the perfect choice to give voice to this struggle. Her Smurfette is imbued with a feisty independence and a vulnerability that makes her instantly relatable.

This deep connection to the character undoubtedly informed the creation of "Friend of Mine." The song is not just playing over a montage; it is the sonic embodiment of Smurfette's journey. It’s about finding your tribe, about the joy of connection, and about discovering that your true identity is forged in the friendships you make. When Rihanna sings, "Just met you tonight, but you feel like a friend of mine," it speaks directly to Smurfette's experience of being an outsider who finally finds her community. This synergy between character and song elevates both, making the anthem feel earned and emotionally resonant. Exploring such character depths is what makes animated films so powerful, a quality celebrated in many of the best DC animated movies of all time.

Deconstructing "Friend of Mine": A Lyrical and Musical Deep Dive

Released in May 2025, "Friend of Mine" immediately sparked conversation. Produced by a team including Jon Bellion and Pete Nappi, the track is a vibrant fusion of Afrobeats, house, and Eurobeat influences. It’s a departure from the darker, more atmospheric tones of Anti, harking back to the infectious, dance-floor-ready energy of her earlier hits like "Don't Stop the Music" or "We Found Love," but filtered through a contemporary, global lens.

The song's structure is deceptively simple, built around a propulsive, tribal drum beat and shimmering synths. Its most defining feature is the repetitive, mantra-like chorus:

“Ooh, I think the word here is 'déjà vu' / Just met you tonight, but you feel like a friend of mine / Feel like a friend of mine / You feel like a friend of mine / How can so familiar be so brand new?”

Lyrically, the song captures the magical, instantaneous connection of a newfound friendship. The phrase "déjà vu" perfectly encapsulates that feeling of meeting someone and sensing an immediate, inexplicable bond, as if you've known them forever. It’s a universal emotion, accessible to both a child on a playground and an adult at a party. The repetition, while criticized by some for its simplicity, is key to its function as an anthem. It’s incredibly catchy, easy to sing along to, and drills the central theme of friendship into the listener's head. As Danielle Holian of Atwood Magazine noted, "It's the kind of hook that lives in your head for days, not aggressively catchy, but quietly persistent."

Rihanna’s vocal performance is key. It’s light and airy, yet emotionally grounded. She isn’t delivering the raw, powerful belts of "Stay" or "Love on the Brain." Instead, she uses a softer, more playful texture that perfectly suits the song's joyful and innocent theme. It’s a performance that feels less like a pop star flexing and more like a character expressing a moment of pure, unadulterated happiness. The song itself is a perfect addition to any family-friendly playlist, and the official soundtrack is available on CD and Vinyl here.

What Makes an Anthem? From "Happy" to "Friend of Mine"

In the landscape of modern animated films, the "soundtrack anthem" has become a powerful marketing tool and a cultural phenomenon in its own right. These are songs that not only feature in a film but come to define its entire emotional core and public identity. Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” from Despicable Me 2 and Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from Trolls are the gold standard. These songs transcended their cinematic origins to become global mega-hits, topping charts and becoming fixtures at weddings, parties, and on the radio for years.

"Friend of Mine" is clearly crafted in this tradition, and it shares several key characteristics with its successful predecessors:

1. A Simple, Universal Theme: "Happy" is about joy. "Can't Stop the Feeling!" is about dancing. "Friend of Mine" is about friendship. These are broad, positive emotions that everyone can connect with.

2. An Irresistible Beat: All three songs are built on an infectious, danceable rhythm that makes them feel celebratory and physically engaging.

3. A Repetitive, Singalong Chorus: The hooks are simple, memorable, and easy for people of all ages to sing. This is crucial for lodging a song in the public consciousness.

4. A-List Star Power: The involvement of a major, credible music star like Pharrell, Timberlake, or Rihanna lends the song an instant coolness and a built-in audience.

5. Cinematic Synergy: The song is deeply integrated into the film’s marketing and key emotional moments, creating a powerful association in the audience's mind.

   
   

"Friend of Mine" ticks every one of these boxes. It’s a joyful, well-crafted piece of pop music that functions perfectly both within the context of The Smurfs Movie and as a standalone single. It serves as a brilliant re-entry point for Rihanna, allowing her to dominate the pop culture conversation without the immense pressure of a full album. The song's success highlights a larger trend in Hollywood, where the soundtrack single has become as important as the movie trailer in building hype and defining a film's brand. This kind of synergy is what makes a film a true event, much like the anticipation surrounding the MCU's introduction of the Fantastic Four.

The Enduring Appeal of The Smurfs: A Perfect Home for a Friendship Anthem

For Rihanna’s comeback anthem to land, the vehicle had to be right. The Smurfs, created by Belgian artist Peyo in 1958, might seem like a retro choice, but their enduring appeal lies in their timeless, universal themes. At its core, the world of the Smurfs is a story about community, cooperation, and, most importantly, friendship. Smurf Village is a utopia built on the idea that every individual, with their unique personality (Grouchy, Brainy, Clumsy), has a vital role to play in the collective.

This thematic foundation makes it the perfect home for a song like "Friend of Mine." The film’s plot, which sees Smurfette leading a rescue mission to save Papa Smurf, is a classic adventure that relies on the Smurfs working together and trusting in their bond. The song doesn't feel like a cynical marketing ploy; it feels like a genuine extension of the franchise's DNA. This deep thematic resonance is often what separates a good family film from a great one. Many of the most beloved animated movies tell timeless tales of finding one's place in the world, a theme that The Smurfs Movie and "Friend of Mine" champion beautifully. The long history of The Smurfs means there is a wealth of memorabilia for fans, from classic comics to modern toys. For instance, this collector's set of Smurfs figurines is a perfect gift for long-time fans.

The music in the Smurfs franchise has a surprisingly rich history, from the 1977 novelty hit "The Smurf Song" by Father Abraham to the 1990s dance-pop albums that sold millions of copies across Europe. The 2025 film continues this legacy, with a soundtrack that not only features "Friend of Mine" but also a Rihanna cover of Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" and other original tracks. It's a modern, vibrant soundtrack that respects the franchise's musical past while pushing it in a fresh, contemporary direction. This blend of nostalgia and modernity is a powerful combination, often seen in successful reboots, like the way the Batman franchise has been reimagined over the years.

The Synergy Machine: Marketing a Song, a Star, and a Smurf

The rollout of "Friend of Mine" and The Smurfs Movie was a masterclass in modern marketing synergy. The campaign began not with a movie poster, but with Rihanna herself. Her announcement at CinemaCon immediately positioned the film as a major cultural event. The tagline could have been "Rihanna is back, and she's Smurfette."

The song was strategically teased in the film's first trailers, allowing the infectious beat to build anticipation months before its official release. The music video, co-directed by the film's director Chris Miller, seamlessly blended clips of Rihanna in a whimsical, mushroom-filled set with animated sequences of Smurfette and her friends dancing to the track. This visual connection solidified the link between the artist, the character, and the song. Social media was flooded with clips, dance challenges, and fan reactions, all orchestrated to build a groundswell of organic hype. For those wanting to dive deeper into the world, a beautifully illustrated art book for The Smurfs Movie is available here.

Paramount Pictures understood that in Rihanna, they had a marketing force more powerful than any billboard. Her personal brand, her massive social media following, and the public's intense curiosity about her new music were all leveraged to promote the film. In return, the film gave Rihanna a joyful, family-friendly platform to stage her comeback. It was a mutually beneficial partnership that paid dividends for both. The film’s success and the song's popularity are a testament to this well-executed strategy, proving that the right song, paired with the right movie, can create a cultural moment that is far greater than the sum of its parts. It's a strategy that many franchises employ, trying to create moments that spark global conversations.

The Verdict: Critical Reception and Cultural Impact

Upon its release in July 2025, The Smurfs Movie was met with generally positive reviews. Critics praised its vibrant animation, its surprisingly witty script, and its heartfelt story. The voice cast was lauded, but special attention was reserved for Rihanna, with many reviewers noting the charisma and depth she brought to Smurfette. The film performed solidly at the box office, proving that the classic characters still held a special place in the hearts of families worldwide. Fans wanting to revisit Rihanna's iconic music that led to this moment can find her entire discography, including the masterpiece Anti, on vinyl here.

The reception for "Friend of Mine" was more mixed, but ultimately positive in the context of its goal. While some music critics and long-time fans found the lyrics overly simplistic and missed the edge of her previous work, most recognized the song for what it was: a perfectly executed pop anthem for a children's film. Publications like Vulture praised its cleverness, noting how it managed to be "catchy enough for the kids but makes sure to wink to Mom and Dad." The song achieved solid chart performance, particularly on the dance and pop charts, and became a staple of summer radio playlists.

Its true impact, however, was cultural. It became the definitive sound of the summer for countless families. It was the song playing in minivans on the way to the cinema, the soundtrack to children's birthday parties, and the infectious earworm that parents found themselves humming throughout the day. "Friend of Mine" successfully cemented itself as a joyful anthem of friendship, proving that after years away, Rihanna hadn't lost her Midas touch; she had simply found a new, bluer, and more wholesome kingdom to rule. The success of this kind of project opens up new possibilities for artists, much like the potential for the X-Men in the MCU opens new story avenues.

Conclusion

"Friend of Mine" is more than just Rihanna's first new pop single in years; it's a testament to her evolution as an artist and a cultural strategist. It represents a pivot from the provocative revolutionary of Anti to the joyful matriarch of a new era. By aligning herself with the timeless, friendship-focused world of The Smurfs, she crafted a comeback that was both unexpected and, in hindsight, perfect. The song succeeds because it understands its purpose completely. It’s a vehicle for joy, a celebration of connection, and the beating heart of a film that champions the very same values.

The story of how this song became a Smurfs anthem is a lesson in the power of synergy. It’s the result of a perfect fusion: the right artist, returning at the right time, paired with the right character in the right franchise, all wrapped up in a song that is impossible not to love. It proves that a great family film can be a launchpad for a global pop hit, and that a pop superstar can find a new voice in the most unlikely of places. In the end, Rihanna didn't just give a voice to Smurfette; she gave the world a new anthem to celebrate the friends who, no matter how new, feel like they've been there all along.

External Links

1. Official The Smurfs Movie Website: Visit the official site from Paramount Pictures for trailers, cast info, and activities.

2. Rihanna's Official YouTube Channel: Watch the official music video for "Friend of Mine" and other content.

3. Box Office Mojo - The Smurfs Movie (2025): 

4. IMDb Page for The Smurfs Movie (2025): 

5. The Official Smurfs Website: 

6. Variety's original announcement of Rihanna's role: 

7. Pitchfork - Music Reviews: 

8. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna: 

FAQs

1. Is "Friend of Mine" Rihanna's first new song since her 2016 album Anti? No. While it is her first major pop single in years, she released the ballad "Lift Me Up" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack in 2022. "Friend of Mine" is seen as her return to a more upbeat, pop-oriented sound.

2. Does Rihanna sing any other songs in The Smurfs Movie? Yes, the soundtrack features Rihanna singing her own version of the 1987 classic "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle, in addition to the original song "Friend of Mine."

3. Who else is in the voice cast for The Smurfs Movie? The film features an all-star ensemble cast alongside Rihanna, including John Goodman as Papa Smurf, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Sandra Oh, Kurt Russell, Natasha Lyonne, and many more.

4. What is The Smurfs Movie (2025) about? The plot follows Smurfette as she leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save Papa Smurf, who has been mysteriously captured by the evil wizard Gargamel and his brother, Razamel. The story also explores the origin and definition of what it means to be a Smurf.

5. What has the critical reception been for the song "Friend of Mine"? The reception has been mixed but generally understood in its context. While some critics and fans found it simplistic compared to her past work, most praised it as a perfectly crafted, catchy, and joyful anthem for a family film.

6. Is this new Smurfs movie connected to the live-action films from the 2010s? No, this film is a complete reboot of the franchise. It is fully animated and establishes a new continuity separate from the Sony Pictures films that starred Neil Patrick Harris.

7. Where can I listen to "Friend of Mine"? The song is available on all major music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The official music video is also available on YouTube.

8. What was Rihanna doing during her long musical hiatus? Rihanna was primarily focused on building her immensely successful business empire, including Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty lingerie, and Fenty Skin. She also became a mother to two sons, RZA and Riot Rose.

9. Why did Rihanna choose to voice Smurfette? Rihanna stated at CinemaCon that she hoped the role would give her "cool points" with her children one day. The role also aligns with her new life stage as a mother and allows her to engage with a family-friendly, global brand.

10. Will there be a sequel to The Smurfs Movie (2025)? Paramount Animation has expressed a desire to create multiple animated Smurfs films, so if the 2025 movie is successful at the box office, a sequel is highly likely.