Rihanna, “Anti”

Rihanna, Anti (2016)
Roc Nation
Artist: Roy Nachum

According to The Guardian, Rihanna changed the history of album artwork with the unveiling of the art for her eighth studio album, Anti. In a private gallery show in LA, the artwork was first shown to the world as Rihanna finally revealed the title to her long anticipated album. The cover was something that was very unexpected of Rihanna, and it became one of the best album covers of all time.

The art was done by Israeli artist, Roy Nachum. Rihanna chose him because “he see things beyond the surface which is why I decided to collaborate with him.” The cover shows a young Rihanna (on her first day of day care) holding a black balloon with a crown over her eyes. The background is split between white and bright red paint.

On the black and white canvas of the album cover, there is a poem by Chloe Mitchell. The poem, titled “If They Let Us,” is about being misunderstood, but being able to stand out while doing something that is right for you.

“I sometimes fear that I am misunderstood.
It is simply because what I want to say,
what I need to say, won’t be heard.
Heard in a way I so rightfully deserve.
What I choose to say is of so much substance
That people just won’t understand the depth of my message.
So my voice is not my weakness,
It is the opposite of what others are afraid of.
My voice is my suit and armor,
My shield, and all that I am.
I will comfortably breath in it, until I find the moment to be silent.
I live loudly in my mind, so many hours of the day.
The world is pin drop sound compared to the boom
That thumps and bumps against the walls of my cranium.
I live it and love it and despise it and I am entrapped in it.
So being misunderstood, I am not offended by the gesture, but honored.
If they let us…”

The booklet also includes four other pieces, titled “Fire Part I,” “Fire Part II,” “Fire Part III,” and “R.”

Sight and blindness is a big theme with the artwork. According to Rihanna, “The whole idea behind the Braille is that people who have sight are sometimes the people who are blindest.”

The cover is striking and symbolic. Rihanna and Nachum made a bold statement with this piece, and it’s use of braille makes it one of the most unique covers to come out from a major pop star in a long time.