February 12, 2023 • 13 mins
Global superstar and fashion mogul Rihanna joins Nate for the debut episode of The Process with Nate Burleson! Nate and Rihanna talk about her highly anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, her first-ever Oscar nod for “Lift Me Up,” and how the birth of her son has changed what she says yes to. Rihanna reflects on growing up in Barbados and shares why she fights to showcase the island on the global stage. Plus, will she release new music anytime soon?! Nate's got the answers.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Process with Nick Burlison is a production of the
NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio. When I was dreaming about
doing this or having a career in music, I didn't
know how it was gonna get there. I just knew
I wanted to get there and that I was gonna
fight for it, but I didn't even know where to start.
(00:22):
This is the Process. Let's go, Hey, what's up? This
is your guy named Burlison, and you are listening to
my new podcast, The Process with Nie Burlison and my
first guest, if someone we're familiar with. We're sitting down
(00:46):
with the one, the only Rihanna here in Arizona during
Super Bowl Week. Of course she's gonna rock out during
the halftime show, but there is so much more to
this woman. She came into game as an artist and
then transition to a mogul, and she has done everything
from music, fashion, cosmetics, and so much more. I hope
(01:11):
you enjoy our first guest because she was a big
gift for us. Here's a listen, so let's jump right
into it. You have done concerts all over the world.
Your Savage X fifty shows have been viewed by millions,
(01:34):
but the Apple Music super Bowl halftime show is as
big as it gets. What was it like when you
received that call that you would be headlining the halftime show?
It was so scary because it was kind of unexpected.
My son was only I mean maybe three months old,
(01:55):
so this was one of those things. It was are
you gonna come outside? And not just come outside, but
like to the biggest stage ever. I haven't performed in
like seven years, right, twenty eighteen. I think the GRAMM
was my last tour, and that that to me was
like the last time I remember, just like being out
(02:16):
there on the stage and just I miss it. I
miss it. But to come back from like zero to
super Bowl, like that's kind of nuts, right, Yeah. Um,
I didn't know what to think, but then that that
thing just happens like it's going to be a challenge,
and that that gets me excited, and I think that
was the real push for me. Nice shoes. Oh you
(02:39):
noticed a little something that's talk about the Clarne Foundation
in a little bit, Okay, but you know, I want
to talk about the moment the Internet reacted to your announcement.
It almost broke the internet. People went crazy, just like
to feel that type of love from your fans. It was.
(02:59):
It was real nice to see people get excited about
the music aspect, you know, to see them get it
just reminded me again what it's like to be an artist,
because I don't I wouldn't say I've veered away from it,
but it has been neglected to a degree because I've expanded,
(03:21):
of course the businesses, and so now I kind of
have to like split my time up, so I'm not
as available in the music department as they would love. Yeah,
and we'll talk about that in a bit, because I
ask some questions about music. This is the NFL's biggest stage.
The world will be watching. Yeah. Does this add a
(03:43):
different type of energy or pressure when you are preparing
for this performance? Yes, a lot of pressure. It's scary. Yeah,
this is a big stage. This is a big stage.
And once I said yes, said there was only one
one job to get done, and that was to do
great and to have fun. Yeah, you know that was
(04:06):
my goal. I just want to put on a great
show and I want to enjoy it. Yeah. I don't
want the pressure to succumb me. I really don't. Isn't
that what doctor Dre said? He said, put the right
creative people around you and just have fun for real.
What was it like when you heard that advice from him?
You're just telling me this for the first time. I
never heard him say that, but that is incredible. I
(04:28):
felt that because you get lost in the pressure of it,
you get lost in getting it right that you you
forget to be present, you forget to have fun, you
forget to smile sometimes because there's so much pressure. Yeah,
I want to enjoy it. I want to. Now you
(04:48):
were a young girl in Barbados when some of the
more epic halftime performances went down. Any of them come
to mind. One of my favorite ones for sure was Princess.
That was just such a rock star show. Yeah, beautiful,
well thought out, and you knew he enjoyed it. You know,
(05:10):
he did not overthink that, not one second. And I
love that because I received it. I felt it through
the screen. Yeah. I often go back and watch that
halftime show. Actually, yeah, yeah, And you've you've said that,
Whitney Houston, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, They've all
been inspirations. Have you went back and seen any of
(05:32):
those performances? Oh my god, Oh my God, I watched
Beyonce's halftime performances a couple of times. I mean, she's
she's a piece in the whole other level. Yeah, so
just to be inspired really yeah yeah, speaking of inspirational,
lift me up, um, you typically seen from a place
(05:57):
in you that sincere and authentic. It seemed like that
song touched the souls of everybody that heard it, and
it was a perfect marriage with Black Panther Wakonda Forever.
Thank you. What was it like getting back in the
studio for that ballot that was worth it? Yeah? I
feel like getting getting back to anything right now has
to feel worth it, you know, because once you have
(06:21):
a child, nothing seems worth it right then, nothing is
like worthy of your time away from your kid. So
I was very careful in the things that I said
yes to. Super Bowl was one of them. Wakonda Forever
was the first thing that got me out of the house. Okay,
that got you outside. I got me out because I
(06:42):
watched the trailer then I got a little glimpse of
the movie. Yeah, and I believed in it. I believed
in it. I felt it. It was authentic, it meant
something to me, and I just I just saw it
from the lenses of of Chad's widow. You know, she
(07:03):
to lose someone, but like just to be able to
say those things before you go. I mean, yeah, I
love that song. I felt it from the jump, and
I knew that people would feel out as well. We
all love it. Golden Globe nomination and Oscar nomination. Isn't
that crazy? Okay, isn't that nuts? That's why I know,
(07:28):
I know I can't believe it. But again, that's like
I feel the same way about that as I feel
about the Super Bowl. It's like the representation. It's the
little girl from Barbados who made it to that stage,
who made it to that room. And you know, now
we got an invitation to the Oscars. I've never been
(07:49):
to the Oscars. That's surprising, No, I had no reason to.
You know, you mentioned Barbados and it's near and dear
to your heart. Can mento Rihanna without mentioning Barbados will
be on the stage with you? What is it like
to have that type of representation for a place that
is so so loved? Buy you it. Barbados is such
(08:11):
a small island, such a tiny little rock in the
middle of the globe. And it's it's the one plaise.
I feel like we don't think we're we're ever going
to be seen where we people don't know about us.
People don't know about Barbados. They know about all the
other bees Bahamas, you know, like people don't really know
(08:35):
about Barbados. So to see it Barbatos come from there too,
stages like the Oscars and the super Bowl. It really
is impossible to do. When I was dreaming about doing
this or having a career in music, I didn't know
how it was going to get there. I just knew
I wanted to get there and that I was going
(08:57):
to fight for it. But I didn't even know where
to start. There's no one that could have told me
that this would happen like like this. No one could
convince me it just it seems impossible. But this this way,
it doesn't anymore. They get to see it happen in
(09:18):
real life, and it just helps people to dream bigger
and you do a lot of work there. Um As
you noticed that I got Declare Foundation collaboration with Puma
kicks on first time I broke them out the box.
I told myself when I first got to my set.
So this is my opportunity to work. You know, you
(09:39):
weren't saying who am I living for? I would like
to ask who is Rihanna living for? Ooh, are you kidding?
My son? My son? My son, my son, my son?
Everything matters now you you really start to take a
lot into account, you know, like skydiving might go on
(10:02):
about you know, like you really think about stuff like that. Right,
It's like it's not it's not worth it. You know
you mentioned your baby boy. I know what it's like,
my father of three. Life changes, the world changes. I
mean the way I looked at It's like before my
first born came, I was good on my own. That's
(10:23):
the way it was, and then boom, life change. What
are you giggling at? That sounded like a lyric of money.
It was good job, Thank you. I appreciated how it
has life changed, or even your perspective on music business,
who you are, how you represent yourself. Everything is different.
(10:46):
Life before my son it seems very obscure. It's very
far in the rearview mirror to me, very small and cloudy. Yeah,
but it just got better with him, it got better.
I mean it's so much hard work, but nothing is
(11:08):
more filling right than that. Now, as we get ready
for this halftime show, people want to know, are there
any surprises, because you know, we'd like to see a
little something that might shock. Now I'm not I'm not
saying you have to tell us right now right because
(11:28):
it wouldn't be a surprise. True. Can't you just answer this?
Will there be a surprise? I meant to say, what
if this surprises that there's no surprises and that's fire too,
We'll be happy with that. Oh for real, of course
I'm thinking about bringing someone. Oh I'm not sure. Okay,
you can tell me a camera when we cut the
(11:49):
cameras off. Um, now, are you dropping any music anytime soon? Um?
I don't know. You don't know. No, I don't know. Okay.
I want to just put music out and have fun
with it. But if if it has to be an album,
that might take some time. Yeah, well, listen, we appreciate you.
(12:11):
Thank you so much. We're going to enjoy the show,
have a good time and do your thing. Thank you.
I want to give a huge thank you to Rihanna
for sitting down with us. I mean, Rihanna is truly
the best in the game. As versatile as it gets
the crazy part. As you heard, it sounds like she's
(12:33):
just getting started now. If that is in motivation, I
don't know what it is, but that's what we're here
to do, to motivate, to encourage, inspire. I mean, this
is food for thought. I appreciate y'all. I appreciate the
Process crew tapping in with me, and we're gonna do
this all season long. I promise you will love every
(12:55):
single epp. It makes sure you give us a follow
a rating, review us on Apple Podcast, the iHeartRadio app,
or wherever you get your podcast. I appreciate y'all listening.
This is the Process with Nip Pete. The Process with
Nick Brollison is produced by Thomas Warren and Julia Weaver.
The show was mixed by Behee Frasier. Special thanks to
(13:17):
Sean Tytone, Jason English, Nash Schneider, Mark Quinzel, Mary That Battan,
and Jane Goodell. Piece
The Process with Nick Burlison is a production of the
NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio. When I was dreaming about
doing this or having a career in music, I didn't
know how it was gonna get there. I just knew
I wanted to get there and that I was gonna
fight for it, but I didn't even know where to start.
(00:22):
This is the Process. Let's go, Hey, what's up? This
is your guy named Burlison, and you are listening to
my new podcast, The Process with Nie Burlison and my
first guest, if someone we're familiar with. We're sitting down
(00:46):
with the one, the only Rihanna here in Arizona during
Super Bowl Week. Of course she's gonna rock out during
the halftime show, but there is so much more to
this woman. She came into game as an artist and
then transition to a mogul, and she has done everything
from music, fashion, cosmetics, and so much more. I hope
(01:11):
you enjoy our first guest because she was a big
gift for us. Here's a listen, so let's jump right
into it. You have done concerts all over the world.
Your Savage X fifty shows have been viewed by millions,
(01:34):
but the Apple Music super Bowl halftime show is as
big as it gets. What was it like when you
received that call that you would be headlining the halftime show?
It was so scary because it was kind of unexpected.
My son was only I mean maybe three months old,
(01:55):
so this was one of those things. It was are
you gonna come outside? And not just come outside, but
like to the biggest stage ever. I haven't performed in
like seven years, right, twenty eighteen. I think the GRAMM
was my last tour, and that that to me was
like the last time I remember, just like being out
(02:16):
there on the stage and just I miss it. I
miss it. But to come back from like zero to
super Bowl, like that's kind of nuts, right, Yeah. Um,
I didn't know what to think, but then that that
thing just happens like it's going to be a challenge,
and that that gets me excited, and I think that
was the real push for me. Nice shoes. Oh you
(02:39):
noticed a little something that's talk about the Clarne Foundation
in a little bit, Okay, but you know, I want
to talk about the moment the Internet reacted to your announcement.
It almost broke the internet. People went crazy, just like
to feel that type of love from your fans. It was.
(02:59):
It was real nice to see people get excited about
the music aspect, you know, to see them get it
just reminded me again what it's like to be an artist,
because I don't I wouldn't say I've veered away from it,
but it has been neglected to a degree because I've expanded,
(03:21):
of course the businesses, and so now I kind of
have to like split my time up, so I'm not
as available in the music department as they would love. Yeah,
and we'll talk about that in a bit, because I
ask some questions about music. This is the NFL's biggest stage.
The world will be watching. Yeah. Does this add a
(03:43):
different type of energy or pressure when you are preparing
for this performance? Yes, a lot of pressure. It's scary. Yeah,
this is a big stage. This is a big stage.
And once I said yes, said there was only one
one job to get done, and that was to do
great and to have fun. Yeah, you know that was
(04:06):
my goal. I just want to put on a great
show and I want to enjoy it. Yeah. I don't
want the pressure to succumb me. I really don't. Isn't
that what doctor Dre said? He said, put the right
creative people around you and just have fun for real.
What was it like when you heard that advice from him?
You're just telling me this for the first time. I
never heard him say that, but that is incredible. I
(04:28):
felt that because you get lost in the pressure of it,
you get lost in getting it right that you you
forget to be present, you forget to have fun, you
forget to smile sometimes because there's so much pressure. Yeah,
I want to enjoy it. I want to. Now you
(04:48):
were a young girl in Barbados when some of the
more epic halftime performances went down. Any of them come
to mind. One of my favorite ones for sure was Princess.
That was just such a rock star show. Yeah, beautiful,
well thought out, and you knew he enjoyed it. You know,
(05:10):
he did not overthink that, not one second. And I
love that because I received it. I felt it through
the screen. Yeah. I often go back and watch that
halftime show. Actually, yeah, yeah, And you've you've said that,
Whitney Houston, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, They've all
been inspirations. Have you went back and seen any of
(05:32):
those performances? Oh my god, Oh my God, I watched
Beyonce's halftime performances a couple of times. I mean, she's
she's a piece in the whole other level. Yeah, so
just to be inspired really yeah yeah, speaking of inspirational,
lift me up, um, you typically seen from a place
(05:57):
in you that sincere and authentic. It seemed like that
song touched the souls of everybody that heard it, and
it was a perfect marriage with Black Panther Wakonda Forever.
Thank you. What was it like getting back in the
studio for that ballot that was worth it? Yeah? I
feel like getting getting back to anything right now has
to feel worth it, you know, because once you have
(06:21):
a child, nothing seems worth it right then, nothing is
like worthy of your time away from your kid. So
I was very careful in the things that I said
yes to. Super Bowl was one of them. Wakonda Forever
was the first thing that got me out of the house. Okay,
that got you outside. I got me out because I
(06:42):
watched the trailer then I got a little glimpse of
the movie. Yeah, and I believed in it. I believed
in it. I felt it. It was authentic, it meant
something to me, and I just I just saw it
from the lenses of of Chad's widow. You know, she
(07:03):
to lose someone, but like just to be able to
say those things before you go. I mean, yeah, I
love that song. I felt it from the jump, and
I knew that people would feel out as well. We
all love it. Golden Globe nomination and Oscar nomination. Isn't
that crazy? Okay, isn't that nuts? That's why I know,
(07:28):
I know I can't believe it. But again, that's like
I feel the same way about that as I feel
about the Super Bowl. It's like the representation. It's the
little girl from Barbados who made it to that stage,
who made it to that room. And you know, now
we got an invitation to the Oscars. I've never been
(07:49):
to the Oscars. That's surprising, No, I had no reason to.
You know, you mentioned Barbados and it's near and dear
to your heart. Can mento Rihanna without mentioning Barbados will
be on the stage with you? What is it like
to have that type of representation for a place that
is so so loved? Buy you it. Barbados is such
(08:11):
a small island, such a tiny little rock in the
middle of the globe. And it's it's the one plaise.
I feel like we don't think we're we're ever going
to be seen where we people don't know about us.
People don't know about Barbados. They know about all the
other bees Bahamas, you know, like people don't really know
(08:35):
about Barbados. So to see it Barbatos come from there too,
stages like the Oscars and the super Bowl. It really
is impossible to do. When I was dreaming about doing
this or having a career in music, I didn't know
how it was going to get there. I just knew
I wanted to get there and that I was going
(08:57):
to fight for it. But I didn't even know where
to start. There's no one that could have told me
that this would happen like like this. No one could
convince me it just it seems impossible. But this this way,
it doesn't anymore. They get to see it happen in
(09:18):
real life, and it just helps people to dream bigger
and you do a lot of work there. Um As
you noticed that I got Declare Foundation collaboration with Puma
kicks on first time I broke them out the box.
I told myself when I first got to my set.
So this is my opportunity to work. You know, you
(09:39):
weren't saying who am I living for? I would like
to ask who is Rihanna living for? Ooh, are you kidding?
My son? My son? My son, my son, my son?
Everything matters now you you really start to take a
lot into account, you know, like skydiving might go on
(10:02):
about you know, like you really think about stuff like that. Right,
It's like it's not it's not worth it. You know
you mentioned your baby boy. I know what it's like,
my father of three. Life changes, the world changes. I
mean the way I looked at It's like before my
first born came, I was good on my own. That's
(10:23):
the way it was, and then boom, life change. What
are you giggling at? That sounded like a lyric of money.
It was good job, Thank you. I appreciated how it
has life changed, or even your perspective on music business,
who you are, how you represent yourself. Everything is different.
(10:46):
Life before my son it seems very obscure. It's very
far in the rearview mirror to me, very small and cloudy. Yeah,
but it just got better with him, it got better.
I mean it's so much hard work, but nothing is
(11:08):
more filling right than that. Now, as we get ready
for this halftime show, people want to know, are there
any surprises, because you know, we'd like to see a
little something that might shock. Now I'm not I'm not
saying you have to tell us right now right because
(11:28):
it wouldn't be a surprise. True. Can't you just answer this?
Will there be a surprise? I meant to say, what
if this surprises that there's no surprises and that's fire too,
We'll be happy with that. Oh for real, of course
I'm thinking about bringing someone. Oh I'm not sure. Okay,
you can tell me a camera when we cut the
(11:49):
cameras off. Um, now, are you dropping any music anytime soon? Um?
I don't know. You don't know. No, I don't know. Okay.
I want to just put music out and have fun
with it. But if if it has to be an album,
that might take some time. Yeah, well, listen, we appreciate you.
(12:11):
Thank you so much. We're going to enjoy the show,
have a good time and do your thing. Thank you.
I want to give a huge thank you to Rihanna
for sitting down with us. I mean, Rihanna is truly
the best in the game. As versatile as it gets
the crazy part. As you heard, it sounds like she's
(12:33):
just getting started now. If that is in motivation, I
don't know what it is, but that's what we're here
to do, to motivate, to encourage, inspire. I mean, this
is food for thought. I appreciate y'all. I appreciate the
Process crew tapping in with me, and we're gonna do
this all season long. I promise you will love every
(12:55):
single epp. It makes sure you give us a follow
a rating, review us on Apple Podcast, the iHeartRadio app,
or wherever you get your podcast. I appreciate y'all listening.
This is the Process with Nip Pete. The Process with
Nick Brollison is produced by Thomas Warren and Julia Weaver.
The show was mixed by Behee Frasier. Special thanks to
(13:17):
Sean Tytone, Jason English, Nash Schneider, Mark Quinzel, Mary That Battan,
and Jane Goodell. Piece
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