Rihanna’s ‘ANTI’ 2015: A Timeline Of The Singer’s Most Confusing Year Yet
February 1, 2015: Rihanna brings out Kanye West during Super Bowl concert
Yeezy performed “Only One” live for the first time, while Rihanna decided to perform her well-known hits.
February 3, 2015: The “FourFiveSeconds” video drops
The ’90s-tinged visual is raw, emotive and vulnerable — a welcomed, new sign of Rihanna.
February 5, 2015: Rihanna covers the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar
February 8, 2015: Rihanna performs “FourFiveSeconds” at the Grammys
February 9, 2015: Kanye West reveals himself to be #R8’s executive producer after the Grammys.
…and everyone freaks out. #NothingWasTheSame
February 16, 2015: Rihanna covers W Korea‘s 10th anniversary
February 17, 2015: Rihanna covers AnOther magazine
At this point, we’re not sure if she’s become a full-time model.
February 21, 2015: The part-time model debuts her striking, editorial-worthy #R8 promo photo
Alas, there is a bit of hope!
February 24, 2015: Home‘s “Towards The Sun” premieres
The euphoric song is reminiscent of her “Princess Of China” collaboration with Coldplay.
February 25, 2015: Kanye West replaces Rihanna at BRITs Awards performer
“Everything was prepared for Rihanna’s performance but she was a no-show,” a source stated. “The organizers are furious as she was one of the biggest coups.” Once again, our hope is crushed.
March 5, 2015: Rihanna teases “Higher” snippet
This vintage-sounding, strings-heavy teaser is hands down the best preview we’ve received thus far. #JusticeForHigher
March 6, 2015: “American Oxygen” appears in March Madness commercial
The preview sounds triumphant — unlike its future chart success. (We’ll get to that later.)
March 12, 2015: The model covers Harper’s Bazaar China
Are we really surprised at this point?
March 25, 2015: Rihanna reveals cover art for “Bitch Better Have My Money”
In comes the confusion! Where is the bloody album release date? Also, why was Dubsmash considered a credible promotional tool?
March 26, 2015: “Bitch Better Have My Money” drops in full
In our Pop Perspective review, I wrote: “The tune is meant to be a rugged, thug-nasty track but it just falls flat. From the overly high-pitched vocals, the weak bassline to the try-hard lyrics (Shit, your wife in the backseat of my brand new foreign car/Don’t act like you forgot/I call the shots, shots, shots), ‘BBHMM’ doesn’t pack enough punch that we know the popstress can bring. She is no stranger to this game, after all.” (Still, #JusticeForHigher)
March 30, 2015: Rihanna performs “BBHMM” at iHeartRadio Awards
At this point, everyone (including Rihanna) has forgotten about promoting “American Oxygen”
March 30, 2015: Jay Z launches TIDAL
Life changes as we know it (for the worse).
April 5, 2015: Rihanna performs “American Oxygen” at March Madness concert
Really, the full song premiered on TIDAL an entire month later after the preview was released?
April 14, 2015: Rihanna samples Florence + The Machine in “A Night” preview
Another song preview in the midst of three singles failing from lack of promotion — seems smart, right?
April 20, 2015: The model vacations in Hawaii
She’s surely tired from promoting her music!
