Rihanna achieved something historic without planning a comeback or releasing any singles. Rihanna’s 2016 album ANTI has been on the Billboard 200 chart for 500 weeks, and it is the first album from a Black female artist to do this. And in typical Rihanna fashion, she said one thing that went viral right away:
“God ain’t forget bout me!”
Short and legendary.
The Album That Won’t Fade Away
ANTI was finally released in 2016, after some leakage and postponement. It debuted at No. 1 and included popular tracks like “Work”, “Needed Me”, and “Love on the Brain” on playlists. Some critics back then were unsure about this album and wondered what it represented. There were darker undertones compared to her past releases.
Now, nearly ten years later, ANTI has rewritten the script. It has succeeded in achieving every single one of its
Despite releasing no album since 2016, this project remains on the music charts every year solely on the strength of streaming and sales. No deluxe versions. No anniversary promotions. No promotion of marketing. Fans are playing it.
The Company Rihanna Is Keeping
By this milestone, ANTI occupies a prestigious position amongst women artists. It is at number four amongst women on the Billboard 200 chart, behind:
- 21 by Adele
- Born to Die – Lana Del Rey
- 1989 By Taylor Swift
And while those collections had periods of follow-ups, touring, reissues, and additional releases, this is what Rihanna largely accomplished in the streaming era with just one album. No Rihanna album to give it a push. No popular song to support it.
That’s not just hype. That’s power.
What the Internet Said
Social media sites responded in the usual manner: loud, emotive, and respectful.
One user expressed the thoughts of many:
“i ain’t even like Rihanna like that but this is genuinely so insane and impressive. she really is that girl.”
Another described Rihanna’s relationship with her fans this way:
“Rihanna and the Navy will always have the last laugh.ALWAYS.”
Some kept it simple:
“one of the greatest of all time.”
Some joked about never getting another album:
“Oh, we’re NEVER getting another album.”
However, many indicated the factors that made it special.
“Only album released during the streaming age. No album since 2016 to give those sales and numbers a push. Natural talent, natural numbers, natural masterpiece. Rihanna the greatest pop artist of this 21st century and that isn’t open for any kind of debate. The blueprint.”
Another fan reminded us of when ANTI itself had doubts:
“Remember, Rihanna got clowned for moving 460 units in the first week following the leak of her album Anti. Now it is one of the top-performing records of that decade. Long-term success will and always should be prioritized over first-week numbers.”
And then the truth that many fans knew:
“Almost every day, I still listen to this album.”
There it is.
A Decade Later and Still Untouchable
Five hundred weeks is no fluke. It is no nostalgia. It signifies something real.
“ANTi” didn’t need a follow-up to be relevant. It didn’t need Rihanna to promote it or ride on any wave of popular music. “Anti” entered the fabric of pop culture and became the soundtrack for breakups, for late nights and early mornings, for every single emotion in between.
“Rihanna achieved what every album wishes to accomplish and repeated it for ten years.” That’s not just what happens on the charts. That’s cultural impact.
