How Rihanna Just Made Music History

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Rihanna, whose last album Anti was released in 2016, has hit a new milestone with her RIAA singles certifications.

By Daysia Tolentino Apr 16, 2026 1:30 PMTags

Rihanna Hints at New Music With a Glimpse of Her Back in the Studio

Rihanna is the only girl in the world with this achievement.

The “We Found Love” singer has made history as the first woman to surpass 200 million RIAA singles certifications—despite the fact that she hasn’t released a new album in more than a decade.

With 200.5 million certified units, she is third on the all-timers list for digital singles, joining a small circle of artists who have cracked 200 million. She places behind Drake, who has 277.5 million, and Morgan Wallen, who has 215 million.

Although she’s dropped a few features and soundtrack singles in recent years, the 38-year-old’s last full-length project Anti debuted in January 2016.

However, she has teased her return to music numerous times, most recently posting a brief clip of herself in the studio to Instagram on Feb. 26.

Indeed, Rihanna previously shared an update on her much-anticipated ninth studio album, revealing that she “cracked the code” on what she wants to do next.

“Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth. It’s not matching my evolution. I can’t do this. I can’t stand by this. I can’t perform this for a year on tour,’” she told Harper's Bazaar in February 2025 about her previous attempts at creating a new LP. “After a while, I looked at it, and I was like, this much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears.”

In fact, she’s unapologetic about taking her time, adding, “I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.”

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While she’s taken a break from pop stardom, the business mogul and her partner A$AP Rocky—with whom she shares kids RZA, 3, Riot Rose, 2, and Rocki, 6 months—still make sure to teach their children about great music. Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) recently shared a look into their family’s taste.

“I play my children all sorts of genres, from Michael Jackson and other old classic stuff to psychedelic music,” he explained during a Feb. 4 appearance on Celebrity Substitute. “The Beatles, of course. A lot of reggae. We live in a musical household, so it’s very diverse.”

Read on to take a look at the rest of Rihanna's biggest moments throughout the years.

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