Image Source: Getty / Han Myung-Gu [1]
If you're patiently counting down the days until Rihanna releases her long-awaited ninth studio album [2], you still have a long wait ahead of you. She's a tad busy growing her massive empire [3], which will soon include her first-ever book [4]!
The singer announced on Monday, Oct. 7, that she has teamed up with publisher Phaidon to release The Rihanna Book, a 500-plus-page visual autobiography chronicling her life before and after fame. According to the book's press release, it contains over 1,000 photos of the mogul's life: "from her childhood in Barbados to her worldwide tours, from quintessential fashion moments to private time with friends and family, the book showcases intimate photographs of her life as a musician, performer, designer, and entrepreneur."
Rihanna released a statement for the book's announcement, saying, "I am so excited to share this collection of incredible images. I'm very grateful to the talented photographers and artists who contributed. We've been working on the book for over five years and I'm really happy to be able to finally share it with everybody." The singer also shared a quick look [5] at the book on her Twitter page, giving fans a glimpse at what $150 will get them [6].
Over 5 years in the making... happy to finally share this collection of incredible memories. Thanks to all of the photographers & artists that contributed & to @phaidon [7] for working with me to publish my first piece of art in a new industry! pre-order on https://t.co/XIX4c7zPdI [8] 📚 pic.twitter.com/9aXtjzFDIJ [9]
— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 7, 2019 [10]
The Rihanna Book will also be available in three limited editions, thanks to a collaboration with The Haas Brothers. One such edition is titled the Ultra Luxury Supreme edition [11], which includes a 2,000-pound marble pedestal for $111,000 and is already sold out. According to Rolling Stone [12], Cardi B was lucky enough to win that edition at Rihanna's Diamond Ball this year [13] and is now one of the 10 people to own it.
The rest of us plebeians can preorder [14] whatever edition of the book our wallets will allow right now, with shipping starting on Oct. 24. There will even be a release party for The Rihanna Book at the Guggenheim Museum on Oct. 11, hosted by the singer herself. Maybe Rihanna will drop some hints about R9 [15] at the party! Please?