Rihanna's 2016 album Anti recently marked its 10th anniversary. Despite no new studio album releases since Anti, Rihanna has maintained a significant presence in music and culture.
Musical Career Highlights
In 2016, Rihanna's music from Anti saw major success. "Work" spent nine weeks at Number One, and "This Is What You Came For" reached Number Three. "Needed Me" became her longest-running Hot 100 hit, lasting 45 weeks. Other tracks from Anti included "Kiss It Better," "Sex With Me," and "Love on the Brain."
Her early career featured numerous hits, including "Pon de Replay" (2005), "SOS" (2006), "Umbrella" (2007), "Disturbia" (2008), and "Run This Town" (2009). In 2010, she scored multiple Number Ones with "Only Girl (In the World)," "Rude Boy," "S&M," "What’s My Name?," and "Love the Way You Lie." "We Found Love" (2011) and "Diamonds" (2012) also reached Number One. She continued to have a strong radio presence in 2013 with "The Monster" and "Stay," even during a period without yearly album releases.
Influence on Other Artists
Rihanna's work has notably influenced other artists. Some songs originally intended for her, such as Miley Cyrus's "We Can’t Stop" and Selena Gomez's "Come and Get It" (both 2013), were ultimately released by other artists. Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love" (2010) was among tracks she had recorded for her album Loud. Even in 2015, Major Lazer sought her for their track "Lean On."
Musicians have frequently expressed her impact:
- Ed Sheeran stated on The Tonight Show that he attempts to write songs for Rihanna, noting "Shape of You" and Justin Bieber’s "Love Yourself" began this way.
- Sabrina Carpenter cited "Consideration" from Anti as an inspiration, telling Teen Vogue in 2018:
"Rihanna is always doing something that we never expect."
- Songwriter Evan Bogart mentioned in 2023 using AI tools to create Rihanna-sounding demos for other artists, highlighting her distinctive style.
Business Ventures and Cultural Impact
Beginning in 2017, Rihanna developed a business empire that has significantly expanded her cultural footprint.
- Fenty Beauty: Launched with an inclusive 40-shade foundation range, the brand is estimated to be valued between $1 billion and $2 billion. Its launch prompted other beauty brands to offer more inclusive product lines.
- Savage x Fenty: The lingerie brand reached a $1 billion valuation in 2021. Its fashion shows were recognized for featuring a diverse range of body types, contrasting with traditional industry practices.
Continued Presence and Recognition
Rihanna's music continues to chart and receive recognition. Anti has remained on the Billboard 200 for over 500 nonconsecutive weeks.
Her recent activities and acknowledgments include:
- In 2017, she appeared on DJ Khaled's "Wild Thoughts" (Number Two) and Kendrick Lamar's "Loyalty" (Number 14). She also joined N.E.R.D. on "Lemon."
- In 2023, the 2007 track "Breakin’ Dishes" from Good Girl Gone Bad debuted on the Hot 100 due to a TikTok trend.
- She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023).
- Rihanna headlined the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in 2023, where she also announced her second pregnancy.
This sustained presence clearly indicates Rihanna's continued relevance in popular culture.