Rihanna to feature and co-curate i-D's 'Rihannazine' issue for 40th anniversary

Rihanna is set to take over i-D magazine with a special ‘rihannazine’ issue.

The singer, designer and beauty entrepreneur was announced as the new cover star and co-curator featured in a special 40th anniversary issue for the publication.

The news was announced on both Rihanna and i-D Magazine’s social media, with the 'Work' singer releasing a statement regarding the upcoming title.

Names including the Hadid sisters, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, Adwoa Aboah, Roxanne Gay and more were ‘handpicked’ to feature by the singer and i-D, according to the magazine’s official description online.

She said, “For me, this very special issue of i-D represents change and culture. It is dedicated to some of the people who are progressively reshaping the communities across fashion, music, art and activism - creating a more inclusive and diverse future.”

Photos from the magazine’s black and white cover shoot were also shared on Instagram, shot by photographer Mario Sorrenti. The pair previously worked together on a shoot for Lui magazine, which featured a striking cover of a topless Rihanna in a bucket hat.

On the cover of the ‘rihannazine’, Rihanna is seen gazing into the camera as her hair blows in her face. A teaser video was also shared of the shoot, which featured the singer looking up into the camera.

The magazine also features an alternate back cover, in which the singer is dressed in an oversized black jacket and seen winking at the camera.

Some of the most striking shots show Rihanna in a black jumpsuit and slip dress - revealing her hand and chest tattoos as she peers over the edge of a pair of black glasses. She is also seen wearing a pearl necklace and a big diamond ankh necklace.

Many of the interviews from the issue are now available to read online. Highlights include Burke discussing how raising her child "in the way that you would like the world to look" as one of her biggest successes, author Roxane Gay talking about "constantly failing" as a writer and Adut Akech on making the Time 100 List which she thought was "pretty crazy."

The issue also touches on politics, featuring Martin Luther King's granddaughter Yolanda Renee King; an anti-gun violence activist.

In her interview, Renee King revealed Rihanna's decision to turn down the Super Bowl in support of NFL player Colin Kaepernick had inspired her.

Other big moments include Gigi Hadid growing "emotional" over a message to Rihanna about 2020, in which she wrote, "Ri, I just want you to continue to express yourself in the way you always have. She’s someone who is fully herself, and fully expresses herself the way she wants to. I think I want Rihanna to give whatever she wants to give in 2020, because it’s always good."

Akech also asked what everybody else has been asking for years - namely: "Rihanna, where is that album?! We have been waiting!"

Additional stars to feature include Adwoa Aboah, Rico Nasty, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Lena Waithe, Anok Yai, Zadie Smith and more. The magazine also promotes the talents of four emerging University of Westminster fashion students, who were asked to re-interpret one of the most iconic pieces in Rihanna's Fenty luxury line: her corset dress.

Alistair McKimm, i-D’s editor in chief, wrote an open letter regarding Rihanna’s involvement and even managed to slip in a RuPaul’s Drag Race reference - saying Rihanna ‘embodies charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.’ Calling her a ‘voice for change, inclusivity, authenticity, diversity, female empowerment’ and more, he continued that i-D staff had ‘handpicked’ those featured in the magazine.

He said, “Working with Rihanna we handpicked the people featured in this project for many different reasons but what unites them is that everyone featured is incredibly inspirational.⁣ I can’t thank everyone enough for being part of this special moment, and as for Ri, you blow my mind!”

The physical copy of the rihannazine is available for preorder now on i-D’s website and is priced at £12. It can also be read online here.