Friday, March 29, 2024

Rihanna Drops New Album for Free, As Shill for Jay Z’s Streaming Service

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Rihanna’s new album, “Anti,” was leaked last night, pulled back, then released again. For free. Or not for free, since it involves a link back to Jay Z’s Tidal streaming service. Once there, you’re asked to sign up for a Tidal subscription.

It’s not worth it. “Anti” is not that great, so this convoluted marketing plan was invented to attract interest. The first single, “Work,” is awful but it’s gone to number 1 on iTunes. I don’t know why anyone’s still paying for it since it’s now “free” on Tidal.

Rihanna has some kind of investment in Tidal, so there’s a pay off for her somewhere in here. The “Anti” release is also supposed to be free for Samsung mobile users. (I’ve exhausted my interest in trying to get the thing onto my phone.)

Going this route excludes “Anti” from going up against Adele and Justin Bieber on the album charts. It’s on purpose. “Anti” is just not thought out properly, and not very exciting. As I wrote yesterday, I don’t know why Rihanna can’t find a good production team. And some guidance. Meanwhile, Jay Z will be the beneficiary of whatever happens here. Score.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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