Rihanna

Rihanna is currently in the studio recording her next album -- and according to her producers, Norwegian duo Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen, the troubled pop starlet is ready to prove her musical mettle.

"I think coming off of several million albums we have a lot to prove, regardless of what's going on in her personal life," Hermansen told MTV. Hermansen and Eriksen -- known professionally as Stargate -- had previously collaborated with Rihanna on "Take A Bow" and "Unfaithful."

"She has a character about herself now in her voice and it's great to see. [It's] very inspiring for us," Hermansen said of the trio's latest time in the studio. "[We] leave her personal life to her."

Rihanna is also said to be in the midst of organizing a sort of "Independent Women" tour, with fellow R&B songstresses Ciara and Keyshia Cole reportedly on the list of recruits. "Rihanna wants strong women to join her," a source told E! Online. "This is a 'women empowerment' type of tour." (No word on whether or not new BFF Katy Perry is being courted for the lineup).

Rihanna makes her live comeback next month in Dubai.