Little Miss Sunshine is coming back. After a brief trip to the dark side, Rihanna is about to brighten up the airwaves once again with a new album. Sean “The Pen” Garrett spills the details exclusively to Rap-Up.com.

With her current single “Rude Boy” climbing the charts, the Rihanna reign shows no sign of letting up. The pop princess is capitalizing off the momentum with the feel-good follow-up to November’s Rated R.

According to Garrett, the project is already underway. “I got a record on Rihanna’s new album,” reveals the hitmaker. “She’s got some surprises.”

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Rihanna has had a difficult past 12 months in the aftermath of her assault by her ex-boyfriend. But the “Hard” superstar has endured, by being both outspoken about her experience in hopes of helping others and by channeling her experience into Rated R, her most rounded effort to date. She told MTV News last year that she “vented” on the project.

Don’t expect her next album to be as dark as Rated R, though.

Rihanna said the follow-up, which has no timetable set yet, will be less intense. “Rated R, I love the sound of it, in terms of the bass,” Rihanna explained. “I really like the bottom, the grime of it. But if I were to combine that with more energetic, up-tempo pop records, then I think that will be a happy marriage. And that’s where we’ll probably go next.”

Rated R was inspired mostly by Rihanna’s ordeal in the wake of her and her ex-boyfriend breakup. The singer was the subject of media headlines worldwide. She kept away from the spotlight after a brief reunion with her ex-boyfriend following their altercation. But when Rihanna returned, she had an album that chronicled her months away from the glare.

“This album is an expression of all those feelings that I went through in the last eight months, just different emotions,” she said shortly after Rated R’s release. “All of it isn’t angry, all of it isn’t dark and sad, ’cause I didn’t go through that the whole time. That was part of it. It was really a roller coaster, and you get that when you’re listening to the album.”

SRP Records & upcoming Barbadian pop stars Shontelle and Vita Chambers have a message!

Last night in Brunei while at sound check for a private party with Prince Azim, Shontelle took a moment from her live ustream to also say happy birthday and sing snippets of Rock Star 101, Rude Boy, and Unfaithful just for fun. Peep the video here starting at 8:15.

22 is all that more special of a number because that’s how many years the world has been blessed since you the day you were born. I’m really proud of you Rock Star! You run this town. Keep it coming harder! Stay beautiful inside and out. Happy Birthday Robyn! ^__^

Love, Shon – xoxo

It seems like just yesterday that we celebrated your 17th birthday and getting a record deal almost at the same time …you’ve come so far and grown so much, we couldn’t be anymore proud of you…. HAPPY B-DAY!!!

Love, Evan & Carl

Happy happy Birthday Rih! Sending my blessings and all that good stuff, wishing you many more.

Peace, – Hal Linton

Twitter Shoutouts: @srprecords @shontelle_layne @vitachambers @hal_linton

Birthday wishes coming soon from the rest of Rihanna’s crew… Keep checking back!

UPDATES:

Happy Birthday from Kevmo!!!

Love you and wish you astronomical success for 22!!!

Kevin Hastings (Rihanna’s keyboard player)

Happy Birthday Rihanna and hope you have the best day. See ya soon as we get ready to take over the world.

Much Love-Madhouse

Chris Johnson (Rihanna’s drummer)

To my bisshhh happy sexy bday! I got the don ju ready!

On my way to LA! See u soon!

Debby (Rihanna’s friend)

HappY BirtHdaY Rih Rih! Bout to be a serious year ahead!

Best WisHes!!! 1 LoVE

Bryan Tanaka (Rihanna’s former dancer)

Rihanna arrives at Sydney International Airport on Saturday (February 13) in Sydney, Australia for a promotional tour. She was greeted by fans, media and carried a small koala stuffed animal and flowers given to her!