If this is as close to a Rihanna and Tyla collaboration as we will get (for now), we will take it. 

The singers are set to feature on the soundtrack for the 2025 ‘Smurfs’ film that hits cinemas in July. 

Rihanna has also recorded a new song, ‘Friend of Mine.’ It’s her first new song since 2022’s ‘Lift Me Up,’ which appeared on the soundtrack for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’

Paramount Pictures shared a teaser of the song in a trailer released on Wednesday, May 14. 

“Ooh, I think the word is déjà-vu/You’re looking like a friend of mine,” she sings on the dance track. 

The trailer also revealed that Tyla, Cardi B, DJ Khaled, and more will be featured on the soundtrack. 

Rihanna also voices Smurfette in the film.

“When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him,” a synopsis reads. 

“With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe”. 

The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker’s involvement in the film was first announced in 2023.

“I tried to get the Papa Smurf role but It didn’t work out,” she joked at CinemaCon. Variety reported at the time that Riri will write and record original songs for the project.  

She is also a producer alongside Ryan Harris, Laurence ‘Jay’ Brown and Tyran ‘Ty-Ty’ Smith.

The voice cast includes James Corden as No Name, Nick Offerman as Ken, Kurt Russell as Ron, Xolo Maridueña as Brainy Smurf, Sandra Oh as Moxie and J. P. Karliak as Gargamel and Razamel.

American DJ Marshmello is reportedly also set to voice a character, which is as yet unconfirmed. 

Watch the trailer for the new ‘Smurfs’ movie below.

Main image credit: YouTube