Rihanna - Anti -deluxe- -2016-album- Best

A few tracks (“Woo,” “Close to You”) feel underdeveloped or meandering. The album lacks the immediate hooks of Good Girl Gone Bad or Loud , which can alienate listeners expecting classic pop Rihanna.

A trippy, 6-minute cover of Tame Impala’s "New Person, Same Old Mistakes." The boldest risk on the album, Rihanna re-contextualizes the psychedelic rock track into a neo-soul haze, proving her eclectic taste.

An opening manifesto where Rihanna sings, "I got to do things my own way darling," setting the stage for her newfound independence.

It opened the doors for pop stars to abandon cohesive pop formulas. It paved the way for albums like Beyoncé's Lemonade and Billie Eilish's dark pop. Rihanna - ANTI -Deluxe- -2016-Album-

The album also marked a major transition for Rihanna the mogul. Following the release of ANTI and its subsequent world tour, Rihanna largely stepped away from music to build her multi-billion-dollar Fenty empire, including Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. ANTI proved that she didn't need to play by the rules of the entertainment industry to win; she could dictate them.

While the standard version of ANTI ends on the sobering, acoustic notes of "Close to You," the Deluxe Edition provides a crucial triptych of bonus tracks that expand the album’s emotional depth:

Perhaps the biggest surprise was "Same Ol' Mistakes," a nearly faithful, seven-minute cover of Tame Impala’s psychedelic rock track "New Person, Same Old Mistakes." Rihanna’s decision to inhabit Kevin Parker’s dream-pop world demonstrated her fluid understanding of genre boundaries. The standard edition closes with "Love on the Brain" and "Higher," two raspy, retro-soul ballads where Rihanna pushes her vocal cords to their absolute limits, delivering raw, unpolished emotion. The Deluxe Edition: Essential Extensions A few tracks (“Woo,” “Close to You”) feel

(feat. Drake) The global juggernaut. The lead single became Rihanna’s 14th number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for nine weeks. Its dancehall-infused beat and creole patois took over the world.

A sluggish, venomous anti-love anthem produced by DJ Mustard. It flipped the traditional R&B damsel-in-distress trope completely on its head.

Most astonishingly, in December 2025, ANTI made history by becoming the chart. As of early 2026, that number has climbed to over 508 weeks. This longevity is almost unheard of for a pop album, proving that its slow-burn vibes continue to resonate with new generations of listeners. Rihanna reacted to the news on social media with her signature humor, simply posting: “God ain’t forget bout me!” . An opening manifesto where Rihanna sings, "I got

Its historic 500-week run on the Billboard charts, its collection of Diamond-certified singles, and its placement on lists of the greatest albums of all time are all testaments to its power. More than anything, ANTI remains the blueprint for how a pop star can evolve into an artist on their own terms. It stands as Rihanna's magnum opus—a timeless, brilliant, and enduring masterpiece.

The undeniable smash. Love it or hate it, "Work" is genius in its repetition. The phrase "Work, work, work, work, work" mimics the monotony of a failing relationship. Drake’s verse is smooth, but Rihanna’s patois steals the show. It is the album's only concession to radio, but it fits perfectly.