Rihanna - Anti -deluxe- -2016-album- Site

ANTI isn’t a conventional pop album. It’s bold, experimental, and intentionally loose — a sharp departure from her earlier dance-pop and club-heavy hits. The deluxe edition adds three extra tracks that complement the album’s introspective, genre-fluid mood without feeling like filler.

The album and its singles garnered in 2017, including Record of the Year for "Work" and Best R&B Performance for "Needed Me". In a testament to its lasting impact, ANTI was ranked 230th on Rolling Stone‘s 2020 edition of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and 55th on Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums list.

Thematically, the album is centered on the complexities of relationships—ranging from the euphoria of new love to the bitter sting of betrayal, and finally, to artistic and personal liberation. Echoing the intimate narrative style of Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope , ANTI presents a Rihanna who is alone, yearning, and often disappointed by the people she trusts. She moves from the demanding independence of "Consideration" to the desperate vulnerability of "Higher," showcasing a complete emotional arc.

The arrival of ANTI was preceded by years of anticipation, false starts, and creative recalibration. After departing from Def Jam Recordings—her label home since her 2005 debut Music of the Sun —Rihanna began recording for ANTI in 2014 under Roc Nation and her own Westbury Road imprint. The process was long and fraught, stretching into 2015 as the singer navigated creative struggles and a desire to break free from the radio-friendly dance-pop formula that had characterized her previous work. Rihanna - ANTI -Deluxe- -2016-Album-

One of the most striking elements of ANTI is Rihanna’s vocal performance. She had always been praised for her distinct tone, but on ANTI , she showcases a newfound restraint and versatility. She adopts a lower register, a breathy coolness that drips with nonchalance.

A ragged, whiskey-soaked confessional recorded in what sounds like a single, unfiltered take. Critics praised it for its raw, "unpolished" delivery, feeling like a transmission from a broken heart.

. Departing from her previous dance-pop club hits, the album explores a sophisticated blend of R&B, alternative, dancehall, and pop ANTI isn’t a conventional pop album

Notably, ANTI features only two official guest vocalists—SZA on the opening track “Consideration” and Drake on the smash hit “Work”—but the writing and production credits are filled with heavyweights. James Fauntleroy contributed to multiple tracks, while The Weeknd, Travis Scott, and PARTYNEXTDOOR all lent their writing talents, particularly on the moody cut “Woo.” The album also features a surprising appearance: extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of the rock band Extreme plays the searing guitar solo on “Kiss It Better”.

Contrast its chart performance with her like Loud or Good Girl Gone Bad . Share public link

The track listing for the is as follows: The album and its singles garnered in 2017,

This artistic choice emphasized that the album was not just a product to be sold, but a statement to be felt. The Deluxe Additions

The deluxe version of the album adds three essential tracks that further flesh out its nocturnal atmosphere: "Goodnight Gotham":

The album's rollout was as unconventional as its sound. Rihanna secured a $25 million promotional partnership with Samsung, which not only funded a massive marketing campaign but also allowed fans to download the album for free via a dedicated app. Initially released exclusively on the streaming service TIDAL, the album was made available as a free download, with over 1.4 million copies redeemed within just 15 hours. Despite a chaotic leak hours before its official drop, ANTI was certified platinum by the RIAA within 48 hours—a testament to the immense pent-up demand for new music from the Barbadian icon.

James Joint is a “throwaway” track, with not too much to really write home about that hasn't already been spoken on prior. James Joint

Streaming (bonus tracks are region-dependent), CD, and digital download. Vinyl pressings typically follow the standard 13-track version.