Entertainment • Music

Anti (album)

Anti is the eighth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Anti is the eighth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on January 28, 2016, through Roc Nation and Westbury Road. The album marked Rihanna’s first studio album since 2012’s Unapologetic and became one of her most discussed releases.

Background

Anti was recorded between 2014 and 2016 after Rihanna left Def Jam Recordings. Sources describe it as a long-awaited follow-up to Unapologetic and note that it was released after a period of delays and limited pre-release information.

Release

The album was released on January 28, 2016, through Roc Nation and Westbury Road. Some sources note an early streaming debut on Tidal and a subsequent wider release, with physical editions arriving later in some markets.

Music and style

Anti is commonly described as a mix of pop, R&B, dancehall, and alternative R&B, with some sources also mentioning psychedelic soul and related styles. Reviews and listings emphasize that it differs from Rihanna’s more radio-oriented earlier albums.

Singles and reception

The album spawned singles including "Work," which featured Drake. Critical reviews generally described Anti as one of Rihanna’s most distinctive and cohesive albums, though opinions varied on its smaller, more inward-facing sound.

Key facts

Anti is Rihanna’s eighth studio album, released on January 28, 2016.
It was initially made available through Tidal before a wider commercial release.
The album features guest appearances from Drake and SZA.
A deluxe edition includes additional bonus tracks.
Anti marked Rihanna’s first studio album since Unapologetic (2012).

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Canadian context

Rihanna has a substantial Canadian audience, and Anti was widely discussed in Canadian pop and music media as part of her global career. The album’s release and singles were part of mainstream North American pop culture, including in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Anti by Rihanna?

Anti is Rihanna’s eighth studio album, released in 2016 through Roc Nation and Westbury Road.

When was Anti released?

It was released on January 28, 2016.

What genres is Anti associated with?

Sources describe it as primarily pop, R&B, dancehall, and alternative R&B, with some also citing psychedelic soul influences.

Was Anti Rihanna’s first album after Unapologetic?

Yes. It was her first studio album after Unapologetic, which came out in 2012.

Did Anti have guest artists?

Yes. Sources mention guest appearances from Drake and SZA.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_(album)
Supports: Release date, album type, artist, labels, and basic album facts.
Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/album/anti-deluxe/1440924615
Supports: Release date, album title, deluxe edition, track count, runtime, and label/distribution information.
Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_(%C3%A1lbum)
Supports: Recording period and context after leaving Def Jam Recordings.
Wikipedia (Vietnamese) — https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_(album)
Supports: Core identification as Rihanna’s eighth studio album and release date.
Rolling Stone — https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/anti-194522/
Supports: Critical assessment and characterization of the album’s sound.
Pitchfork — https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21540-anti/
Supports: Critical review describing style, reception, and artistic direction.
Rihanna Now — https://www.rihannanow.com/music/anti/
Supports: Official artist page confirming album title and release date.
Last.fm — https://www.last.fm/music/Rihanna/ANTI
Supports: Labeling of the album as Rihanna’s eighth studio album and guest vocalists.