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Darius Rucker debuted a soulful new version of “Lift Me Up,” a ballad made famous by Rihanna on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Rucker released his cover of the “beautifully written song” on Friday (February 10).
“I couldn't wait to see 'Wakanda Forever' when it came out & was so moved by the song at the end of the movie that I wanted to put my spin on it,” Rucker said in an Instagram caption as he announced the release of his spin on “Lift Me Up.”
Rihanna, who is set to headline the highly-anticipated Super Bowl LVII halftime show on Sunday (February 12), wrote the song with Tems, Ludwig Göransson and Ryan Coolger. “Lift Me Up” served as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, star of Black Panther who died in 2020 after a battle with cancer. He was 43.
“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life,” Tems previously said of the record. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”