While you were sleeping…Rihanna, R n’ B’s reigning queen, released her eight studio album “Anti” – free of charge.
After teasing titbits on Twitter for days, the Barbadian chanteuse finally dropped the 13-track record, her first release since 2012’s “Unapologetic”. The album went live on Tidal and was free to download for the first one million people who visited the link.
You guys legit made me the happiest girl in the world!! I'm so grateful that you appreciate the #ANTI album! It's the most rewarding feeling
— Rihanna (@rihanna) January 28, 2016
Rihanna took to her Twitter account to thank fans for one million downloads in just 15 hours. The album will remain exclusive to Tidal for one week. (Stream or Download the album via Tidal, here.)
“You guys legit made me the happiest girl in the world!! I’m so grateful that you appreciate the #ANTI album! It’s the most rewarding feeling,” she wrote online.
The 27-year-old fashion icon also released the track “Work” with Canadian rapper Drake on Tidal and iTunes on Wednesday night.
The reggae-pop tune subsequently reached number 1 in 70 countries. The collaboration follows the duo’s two previous hits, “What’s My Name” and “Take Care”. (Download the track on iTunes here.)
“Anti” features collaborations with music industry favourites such as Kanye West, Timbaland, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd. “Anti” also carries a cover of Tame Impala’s electro hit, “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” reinterpreted as “Same ‘Ol Mistakes”.
The tracks Rihanna released in 2015, such as “Bitch Better Have My Money” and “FourFiveSeconds” are not included on the album.
“Anti” is definitely Rih’s most diverse material to date, and the reviews have been mixed. One thing is for sure, gone are the thumping club anthems such as “Only Girl In The World”, “Disturbia” and “We Found Love”, and in their place are more grown up, mature and intimate tracks which show her incredible range as an artist.
Rihanna has also revealed that the album cover art was designed by Israeli artist Roy Nachum, and is her favourite sleeve cover to date.
The image depicts a young Rihanna, captured on her first day of day care. In the picture, she carries a black balloon and wears a gold crown. Nachum stated that the cover represents a youngster who would eventually “bring something new to music”.
On the cover, there is also a poem written in Braille by poet Chloe Mitchell.
The hotly anticipated “Anti World Tour” will commence in February 2016, with the likes of Travis Scott, The Weeknd and Big Sean lending their support during various legs of the tour.
Article by Freya Drohan for The Untitled Magazine
Images courtesy of Westbury Road Entertainment LLC
