Ultimately, this work solidified as a rebellion against external expectations, reaffirming that true artistic sovereignty lies in doing things by one's own criteria. Rihanna's album 'Anti' represented a turning point where the artist, after more than ten years of uninterrupted successes, decided to prioritize her personal and creative growth over the safe formulas of the hit charts. From a tribute to 80s erotic pop inspired by Prince with 'Kiss It Better,' to the 'savage' facet in trap-R&B cuts like 'Needed Me,' technical versatility was the norm. The project also stands out for its vocal exploration and the ambition to create timeless music. The visual identity, with a cover that included poems in Braille, reinforced the narrative of an artist who felt misunderstood by the traditional system. One of the pillars of the album was the single 'Work.' With minimalist production that cedes the spotlight to her voice, the album explored avant-garde pop-R&B with the help of sound architects like Timbaland, The-Dream, and The Weeknd. Unlike her beginnings with 'Music Of The Sun' in 2005, where she released albums almost annually, this stage showed a businesswoman expanding her empire into film and fashion. The collaboration with Drake was not only a success on the Billboard Hot 100 but also a metaphor for the constant effort to maintain status and repair one's own identity. The release process for this material was surrounded by an aura of mystery. Before the arrival of the full album, singles like 'FourFiveSeconds' and the trap 'B__ch Better Have My Money' were already giving clues about an unpredictable musical direction. According to the artist's own statements, the theme faithfully reflects the way of speaking in the Caribbean, where context and feeling are as important as the words themselves. The album achieved platinum certification in less than 24 hours and reached number one on the Billboard 200. Songs such as the doo-wop-soul ballad 'Love On The Brain' and more introspective tracks like 'Same Ol’ Mistakes' or Timbaland's production on 'Yeah, I Said It' show an interpreter who is vulnerable and willing to play with different personas on each track.
