After months of careful teasing and hyping of Rihanna’s new album, ANTI was unceremoniously leaked by streaming service Tidal. Rihanna’s eighth studio album began streaming in full on Jay Z’s Tidal, apparently by mistake on Wednesday evening - just hours after the singer had debuted new single, Work.
And while the LP was quickly taken down from the streaming service, the 27-year-old later announced on her Instagram that she would be giving the album away as a present to her fans. Posting a picture of ANTI’s now well-known artwork, the singer announced the move to her fans (the navy), writing: “A gift to my navy! #ANTI is available right now!!!”
The decision to release ANTI for free appears to have been made following the accidental Tidal leak, as despite taking the songs down pirated versions had already been copied and digital versions were surfacing online. Soon after the mistake became evident Tidal made the album officially available for purchase with all thirteen songs ready for download.
