On May 16, 2025, Rihanna surprised families with “Friend of Mine,” her first children-appropriate single since 2022. Featured in The Smurfs movie (premiering July 18), it underscores her voice performance as Smurfette and reflects her own motherly evolution—now a mother of two with a third on the way ParentsPeople.com.

Song Highlights

• Upbeat, Synth-Pop Production: Crafted by Jon Bellion, Pete Nappi, and Fallen with summer-ready energy.
• Playful Lyrics: Celebrates friendship, adventure, and the Smurfs’ whimsical world.
• Voice-Acting Tie-In: Rihanna’s dual role as singer and Smurfette bridges audio and film.
• Chart Milestones: Debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Digital Song Sales and No. 3 on the new Hot Dance/Electronic Pop Songs chart—her first entry there Forbes.

Why It Works for Families

1. Clean Content: No explicit references—safe for all ages.
2. Catchy Hook: Encourages sing-along and dancing—perfect for car rides or playtime.
3. Role Model Appeal: Shows a global superstar embracing family-friendly art.

Parent Listening Tips

• Sing Together: Integrate the chorus into family karaoke sessions.
• Smurfs Activity Tie-In: Follow up with a Smurfs movie watch party.
• Music Appreciation: Talk about songwriting and soundtrack roles in film.

Conclusion

With “Friend of Mine,” Rihanna cements her return to music in a family-friendly format, merging her evolving identity as a parent with her artistic prowess. This Smurfs anthem proves that big stars can delight the youngest fans with joy and heart.

Q&A Section

Q1: When was “Friend of Mine” released?
A1: May 16, 2025, as part of The Smurfs movie soundtrack. Wikipedia

Q2: How did it perform on charts?
A2: No. 1 on Dance Digital Song Sales and No. 3 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Pop Songs chart. Forbes

Sources:

• Parents.com on Rihanna’s new Smurfs song Parents
• People.com on Rihanna voicing Smurfette and song context People.com
• Forbes on Rihanna’s chart firsts Forbes