Barbara Prempeh, Contributing Writer
The highly anticipated wait is over. Rihanna released her eighth album, ANTI, on January 27 through the online streaming service Tidal. Fans were able to get their hands on the album by subscribing to the service and downloading it for free. The download was offered with a 60-day trial of Tidal.
Rihanna’s hit single “Work” reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. On iTunes, ANTI is number one in the U.S. and over 50 countries. It has become one of the fastest albums in history to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). However, it is not considered platinum by Billboard or Nielson.
Luring her fans with the mystery of her release date, Rihanna and Samsung reached an unprecedented $25 million deal for a campaign to advertise her album and tour, according to the New York Post. The campaign included an interactive website, ANTIdiaRy.com, that fans could access on their smartphones. The website featured eight rooms that gave a glimpse into Rihanna’s creative thinking behind the album. #ANTIdiaRy was featured on different social media platforms including Twitter and Instagram.
ANTI includes 13 tracks, featuring artists such as Drake and SZA. It’s evident that the singer brings new sounds compared to her previous album “Unapologetic”. This album brings out the fierce, courageous, true sound and appeal of the Barbados native.
You must give credit where credit is due — Rihanna hit it with this one. “You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration,” she sings in “Work” as she describes the desire of two lovers seeking a deeper connection.
On her deluxe album, she features bonus tracks including “Sex with Me”, “Pose”, and “Goodnight Gotham”. Her album is breathtaking from beginning to end. Expanding from her first album, Music of the Sun, which included a dance-pop sound, ANTI definitely changes the game. As always, she provides her fans with different elements of sounds from slow jams and pop to a bit of old R&B soothing sounds.
Rihanna will begin the North American leg of her tour on February 26 starting in San Diego, CA and ending in Oakland, CA on May 7.
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