, Rihanna was known for delivering clockwork-precision singles like "Umbrella" and "Diamonds". famously rejected that pace. It arrived as a hazy, moody, and experimental body of work
, to ensure every line felt intentional and "masterpiece" quality. The Deluxe Experience: Expanding the Soundscape Deluxe Edition
ANTI rejects the loudness war of 2010s pop. It breathes. It creaks. It feels analog. Rihanna cited influences ranging from Tame Impala to Stevie Nicks, and the final product is a hazy, soulful, and rebellious take on R&B, pop, and rock.
An acoustic ballad reflecting on unreciprocated love, showcasing her more vulnerable side. Rihanna - ANTI -Deluxe- -2016-Album-
The of the "Work" music video and its celebration of West Indian culture
[ Roy Nachum's 'ANTI' Cover Art Concept ] +---------------------------------------------+ | ********* | | ************ | | /| CROWN |\ | | /_|_________|_\ | | | | | | .---''''''---. | | / _ _ \ <- Blood | | | (o) (o) | Red | | | __ | Paint | | \ ['-'] / Streak | | '.____________.' | | || | | CHINESE BRAILLE POEM | | "To Chide in Error" by Chloe Mitchell | +---------------------------------------------+
As executive producer, Rihanna curated a top-tier team of collaborators, uniting veterans and rising stars to shape the album’s unique sonic identity. The primary producers include Jeff Bhasker, Boi-1da, DJ Mustard, Hit-Boy, Brian Kennedy, Timbaland, No I.D., and Kuk Harrell, among others. The sessions took place across Canada, the United States, and France, capturing a global, cross-pollinated sound. It feels analog
| # | Title | Key Credits / Notes | |---|---|---| | 1 | Consideration (feat. SZA) | Opens with a defiant, bass-heavy statement of self-possession; SZA’s guest verse adds textural depth. | | 2 | James Joint | A hazy, cigarette-tinged interlude about toxic attraction, produced by Robert Shea Taylor. | | 3 | Kiss It Better | A soaring, synth-rock-infused power ballad that later became a fan-favorite single. | | 4 | Work (feat. Drake) | The infectious, dancehall-inflected global smash that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks. | | 5 | Desperado | A slow-burning, cinematic track evoking a lone outlaw in a desolate landscape. | | 6 | Woo | A brooding, industrial-tinged cut featuring writing contributions from The Weeknd and Travis Scott. | | 7 | Needed Me | A minimalist, trap-soul anthem about emotional detachment and self-worth. | | 8 | Yeah, I Said It | A sultry, spoken-word-infused track produced by Timbaland. | | 9 | Same Ol’ Mistakes | A masterful cover of Tame Impala’s “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” reimagined through Rihanna’s lens. | | 10 | Never Ending | A melancholic, guitar-driven ballad reflecting on the persistence of love. | | 11 | Love on the Brain | A doo-wop-infused, retro-soul powerhouse showcasing Rihanna’s most vulnerable and powerful vocal performance. | | 12 | Higher | A raw, piano-led confessional, where a whiskey-soaked Rihanna delivers a devastating plea. | | 13 | Close to You | A sparse, ethereal closer, floating on minimalist production and intimate whispers. | | | | | | 14 | Goodnight Gotham | A short, atmospheric interlude built around a dramatic string sample. | | 15 | Pose | A brash, rap-sung banger celebrating confidence and self-assurance. | | 16 | Sex with Me | The standout bonus track; a playfully explicit, island-infused anthem about the joys of casual intimacy. |
The Deluxe Edition of ANTI is the definitive version of the album, adding three essential bonus tracks that perfectly complement the core 13-song experience.
In 2016, ANTI was viewed as a commercial risk. Today, it is recognized as a blueprint. The Deluxe Edition followed shortly after
ANTI (Deluxe) * Consideration. Rihanna, SZA. * James Joint. Rihanna. * Kiss It Better. Rihanna. * Work. Rihanna, Drake. * Desperad... Do you think Rihanna's Anti was her magnum opus? : r/rnb
The album’s lead single, “Work” featuring Drake, spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Subsequent singles “Needed Me” and “Love on the Brain” also became major hits, with the latter earning a Diamond certification from the RIAA in 2026, giving Rihanna an unprecedented eighth Diamond single.
Released on January 28, 2016, by Roc Nation and Westbury Road, is the eighth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. The Deluxe Edition followed shortly after, adding three bonus tracks to the standard version. This album represented a significant departure from Rihanna's previous pop-driven hits, moving toward a cohesive, alternative R&B and soul sound that prioritized artistic maturity over radio-friendly formulas. Artistic Direction and Symbols
One of the most striking elements of ANTI is its cover art. Rihanna revealed the album’s title and artwork at the MAMA Gallery in Los Angeles in October 2015, calling it the favorite album cover she had ever done. Designed by Jerusalem-born artist Roy Nachum, the cover depicts a young Rihanna holding a black balloon, with a golden crown obscuring her eyes. The red-and-white canvas is layered with poems written in Braille, marking the first time an album cover featured physical Braille.