Pop superstar’s album hits historic milestone nearly a decade after release
Rihanna has set a new record in the music industry with her eighth studio album, “Anti.” The album has achieved a historic milestone by spending 500 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart as of December 1, 2025. This achievement marks a significant moment in music history as Rihanna becomes the first Black female artist to reach this milestone with an album.
“Anti,” released on January 28, 2016, made its debut at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart before reaching the top spot on February 20, 2016. The album features hit songs such as “Kiss It Better,” “Love on the Brain,” and “Work,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for nine weeks. Not only has “Anti” been a commercial success, but it has also received critical acclaim, with an average score of 73 out of 100 on Metacritic. Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos praised Rihanna for redefining pop music on her own terms with this album.
“‘Anti’s’ sound challenges the established narrative around Rihanna’s music, breaking free from the confines of traditional genres like teen-pop and hip-hop. This album showcases Rihanna’s versatility as an artist, proving that she excels in a variety of styles,” Spanos noted. The album’s success was further solidified by receiving six Grammy nominations in 2017, including a nod for Record of the Year for the track “Work.” In addition, “Anti” was ranked 230th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and 55th on Apple Music’s list of the 100 Best Albums.
Despite the success of “Anti,” Rihanna has not released any new music since then. Instead, she has focused on expanding her beauty brand, Fenty, while occasionally teasing fans with hints of a new project. In an interview in April 2024, Rihanna mentioned having visual ideas for her ninth studio album but admitted to not having any music ready yet. She expressed that perhaps these visual concepts would lead her to create the songs needed for her next musical endeavor.
Overall, Rihanna’s accomplishment with “Anti” serves as a testament to her artistry and lasting impact in the music industry. As the album continues to make history by spending 500 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, it solidifies Rihanna’s legacy as a trailblazer for Black female artists in the music world. Fans eagerly await her future musical projects while celebrating the monumental success of “Anti.”