Drake’s 2009 Photo of Rihanna’s Dad Sparks Buzz Over Unreleased Song Connection

In a surprising move that sent social media into a frenzy, Canadian rapper Drake recently shared a throwback photo from 2009 featuring Rihanna’s father, Ronald Fenty, on his Instagram Stories. The image, a nostalgic snapshot from the early days of Drake and Rihanna’s complicated relationship, has reignited fans’ curiosity about their past—both personal and musical. What caught the attention of eagle-eyed fans was a subtle detail in the photo that appears to connect to an unreleased song from the duo’s collaborative history, fueling speculation about their creative and romantic ties. This article delves into the context of the photo, the detail that sparked intrigue, and the broader story of Drake and Rihanna’s intertwined musical legacy.

The Throwback Photo and Its Context

The photo, reportedly taken in 2009, shows a younger Drake alongside Ronald Fenty during what appears to be a casual moment, possibly during the filming of Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay” music video in Toronto. This was the year Drake and Rihanna were first linked romantically, following Rihanna’s high-profile split from Chris Brown. Their chemistry was undeniable, with rumors swirling after they were spotted together at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge in New York City, an event Drake later referenced in his 2010 track “Fireworks.” The photo’s re-emergence in 2025, shared without much caption or explanation, has fans dissecting its significance, especially given the fraught history between the two artists.

Drake’s decision to post the image comes at a time when he’s been reflecting on his early career, as evidenced by his 2024 release of 100 Gigs, a collection of archival footage and unreleased tracks. The photo of Ronald Fenty seems to be part of this nostalgic wave, but its timing—amid ongoing speculation about Drake’s feelings for Rihanna—has added layers of intrigue. Fans immediately noticed a detail in the background of the photo: a small, handwritten note pinned to a bulletin board, partially visible, with the words “Work in progress” scrawled on it. This phrase has sparked theories that it could be a nod to an unreleased song from Drake and Rihanna’s early collaborations, possibly tied to their 2016 hit “Work.”

The Unreleased Song Connection

The detail of the “Work in progress” note has led fans to speculate about a rumored unreleased track from 2009, a period when Drake and Rihanna were beginning to work together musically. While their first official collaboration, “What’s My Name?,” came in 2010, followed by “Take Care” in 2011 and “Work” in 2016, there have long been whispers of earlier, unreleased material from their studio sessions. In fan forums and on platforms like Reddit, users have pointed to Drake’s 100 Gigs release, which included snippets of unreleased tracks from 2005–2014, as evidence that he might be teasing something from this era. One fan on X theorized, “That note in the photo could be about a demo they worked on before ‘What’s My Name?’—maybe even an early version of ‘Work’!”

The connection to “Work” is particularly compelling because the song, released on Rihanna’s 2016 album Anti, was a global hit that showcased their undeniable chemistry. Directed by Director X, who also worked on Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay,” the video for “Work” featured steamy visuals that fueled romance rumors. Some fans believe the “Work in progress” note could hint at a prototype of this track or another unreleased song from their 2009 sessions, possibly recorded during the same period as their rumored romantic encounter at Lucky Strike. While no concrete evidence confirms the existence of such a track, Drake’s history of embedding personal references in his music—like the Lucky Strike mention in “Fireworks”—lends credence to the theory.

Drake and Rihanna’s Complicated History

To understand the significance of this photo and its potential link to an unreleased song, it’s essential to revisit Drake and Rihanna’s complex relationship. The two first met in 2005 during the filming of “Pon de Replay,” where Drake, then an aspiring rapper and actor, was an extra. Their romantic connection began in 2009, shortly after Rihanna’s split from Chris Brown, with reports of them “making out all night” at a New York bowling alley. Drake later described feeling used by Rihanna, telling The New York Times in 2010, “She was doing exactly what I’ve done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear.” Despite this, their professional collaboration flourished, resulting in chart-topping hits like “What’s My Name?,” “Take Care,” and “Work.”

Their relationship, however, was marked by ups and downs. Drake openly professed his love for Rihanna at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, calling her “someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old.” Rihanna, however, maintained they were “just friends,” and by 2018, she told Vogue they were no longer close, stating, “We don’t have a friendship now, but we’re not enemies either.” This tension has resurfaced in Drake’s music, notably in his 2023 album For All the Dogs, where fans speculated that tracks like “Fear of Heights” and “Virginia Beach” contained digs at Rihanna and her partner, A$AP Rocky. The photo of Ronald Fenty, posted in 2025, seems to stir these emotions again, with some fans interpreting it as a subtle jab or a wistful look back.

The Significance of Ronald Fenty

The inclusion of Rihanna’s father in the photo adds another layer of intrigue. Rihanna has spoken publicly about her complicated relationship with Ronald Fenty, marked by his struggles with addiction and their estrangement at times. However, she has also expressed love and forgiveness, as seen in a 2016 Instagram post where she shared photos with him, captioned with a message about missing home. Drake’s choice to post a photo with Ronald Fenty could be a nod to their shared history in Barbados or Toronto, where both have roots, or it might reflect a personal connection forged during their early days together. Fans on X have speculated that Drake’s post is a way of signaling unresolved feelings, with one user writing, “Posting Ri’s dad is wild—Drake’s still out here dropping hints.”

Fan Reactions and Speculation

The photo has sparked a wave of reactions across social media, with fans divided on its intent. Some see it as a nostalgic tribute to a formative time in Drake’s career, while others view it as a calculated move to reignite interest in his past with Rihanna. The “Work in progress” note has particularly captivated fans, who have flooded platforms like X and Reddit with theories about its meaning. One Reddit user commented, “Drake’s always been about the long game with Rihanna—posting her dad and that note feels like he’s teasing something big, maybe a vault track.” Others are more skeptical, pointing to Drake’s history of using his music and public persona to keep the Rihanna narrative alive, as seen in lyrics like “I’m anti, I’m anti” from “Fear of Heights.”

The speculation about an unreleased song has also reignited interest in Drake’s 100 Gigs project, which included unreleased material from his early career. While no track explicitly tied to Rihanna has surfaced, fans are hopeful that future releases might include a lost collaboration from 2009. The possibility of an early demo or alternate version of “Work” has particularly excited fans, given the song’s cultural impact and the duo’s electric chemistry.

What’s Next for Drake and Rihanna?

Drake’s decision to share the 2009 photo raises questions about his intentions. Is he simply reminiscing about a pivotal moment in his career, or is he hinting at unreleased music that could shed new light on his and Rihanna’s past? Rihanna, now focused on her family with A$AP Rocky and their two children, RZA and Riot Rose, has largely moved on from her musical collaborations with Drake. Her last album, Anti, was released in 2016, and while fans eagerly await her rumored R9 project, there’s no indication she’s revisiting her past with Drake.

For Drake, the photo could be part of a broader strategy to keep his audience engaged with his early work, especially as he faces ongoing rivalries, like his feud with Kendrick Lamar. By invoking Rihanna’s name—or her father’s image—he keeps their shared history in the spotlight, ensuring fans remain invested in his narrative. Whether an unreleased song ever sees the light of day remains uncertain, but the “Work in progress” note has given fans hope that there’s more to uncover from Drake and Rihanna’s storied past.

Conclusion

Drake’s 2009 photo of Rihanna’s father, with its tantalizing “Work in progress” detail, has reignited fascination with one of music’s most compelling love stories. The image serves as a time capsule, capturing a moment when Drake and Rihanna were on the cusp of stardom and navigating a complex relationship. Whether the note hints at an unreleased song or is simply a nostalgic artifact, it underscores the enduring impact of their connection on fans and pop culture. As Drake continues to mine his past for creative inspiration, and Rihanna focuses on her present, this photo reminds us of the magic—and mystery—that defined their early years together.