Report: Rihanna’s Album Delay Due To Samsung Deal…And Adele

Published: Tuesday 3rd Nov 2015 by Sam
rad

One is the year’s biggest success story, the other has experienced the polar opposite.

Adele‘s out of the gate triumph with new single ‘Hello’ has many an artist running a mile from the undoubtable avalanche that will be its parent album – ’25.’

According to a new report, Rihanna is one of said stars who’s projects have been scattered into disarray in light of the British belter’s return.

Fans and critics alike have asserted this to be the case, but now a reputable industry source is alleging it true.

Full story below…

Via Hits Daily Double:

According to members of her team, one of the major stumbling blocks to Samsung’s planned giveaway of Rihanna’s forthcoming album, ANTI—as part of the highly publicized $25m deal with the tech giant—is how to make it count on the charts. Assuming, of course, that she puts it out in Q4.

The [Billboard] brain trust that decides these things has come up with a new ruling, which turns out to be rather problematic: They’ll count the free offer from Samsung if the coupon can be redeemed for any album—and, although the offer will be wrapped in Rihanna marketing, the coupon must feature type big enough to make it clear that consumers have a choice of album. The back-and-forth between Roc Nation (which is both her label and her management) and [Billboard] over how to execute the promotion has reportedly been fierce, to say the least.

Adding further drama has been a series of date changes for the release, which had been scheduled originally for 11/20, then moved to 11/6 and now looks headed to 12/4 or 12/11. Once Adele was added to the schedule, the scramble to find a new date began—and the plan to set up a huge sponsored giveaway became the only viable alternative to a brutal chart spanking from the British Queen of Pop.

Might she and Roc Nation even consider bumping the release to 2016, particularly given press coverage suggesting Adele’s pending release has affected her confidence about ANTI?

The features goes on to weigh in on whether there’ll be a TIDAL tie-in. After all, like Madonna, Nicki Minaj and co, she does own a stake in the struggling streaming platform. Yet, to add salt to the proverbial wound, HDD, validly remind how physical retailers have – in recent times – been sour towards digital exclusives:

Of the 238k Rihanna sold first week on her last album, 55% was physical, and 45% of that came from Target—which had 25% of the overall sales. But the retailer has been notoriously temperamental as regards digital exclusives, and has even (in the case of Beyoncé’s “sneak attack” set) refused to stock product that got an online-only window upon release.

As if it wasn’t abundantly clear by now, the report caps off with the following fatality:

Those close to the action are calling it a giant sh*t show for the launch of her first record on her management company’s label.

Goodness gracious.

Your thoughts?

Photo credit: Getty/Wireimage

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  1. 2bad2bme November 3, 2015

    Thatgrapejuice stop the messiness already.

    • Tracy November 3, 2015

      Adele is a iconic talent. She should be mentioned with a MODEL.

    • Anne November 3, 2015

      GIVING AWAY your album for FREE to buffer ‘sales’ ? That had to be the worse case of desperation I’ve heard in a while.

    • Faf November 3, 2015

      This is a music blog
      Y’all want Sam to kiss her ass and talk about her slaying fashion week
      That’s not the point

      • 2bad2bme November 3, 2015

        We didn’t say what WE WANTED. However, We DO NOT WANT to keep reading about Rihanna being compared to the same person every 30 minutes!

    • Anne November 3, 2015

      Beyoncé released “4” after the second radio release. She released “Beyoncé” without any prior radio singles. She has never released 3 videos, sent two songs to radio, had live TV/award show performances of singles, released an album title, and album artwork, and then delayed the release with reports that the album is UNFINISHED and delayed due to another artist. The longer Rihanna waits the messier the era is.

    • Highway Unicorn November 3, 2015

      Free albums?! Well i never.

    • Highway Unicorn November 3, 2015

      You know Sam is only joking. It’s clear that they do this for giggles and the fact that David is so endorsing of her in his threads prove it’s nothing malicicious

    • You tried November 3, 2015

      BLOOP

    • Adelephant (previously HYDROQINONE) November 3, 2015

      are we still Talking about Rhi-tierd-na that Starbucks h** is Done with her Anti-talent Ass, I’m so over her especially now that Adele’s out she’s should cancel this Album and try again in 2017 cos Bey would be a doing latter part of 2016 …kiii

  2. .::Centurion::. November 3, 2015

    This is the third post about Rihanna’s upcoming album. Oh Sam. My question is, will Beyonce’s album be released anytime soon now that Adele’s back?

    • Anne November 3, 2015

      Beyoncé us under no pressure to release. Her fans are use to waits as long as 3 years and as little as 2. It hasn’t even been a full 2 years since “Beyoncé” was released. Rihanna on the other hand use to release every year so she is under tremendous pressure and her “Anti” saga just keeps getting worse and worse. How can TGJ not write about it over and over? Even HDD is doing multiple reports on the mess. It’s not looking good for Rihanna this era.

      • HailBeysus November 3, 2015

        @ANNE Gurl you wrote no lies.

      • Memo November 3, 2015

        Rihanna’s not obligated to release yearly albums, though. Your logic is very silly. If Beyoncé is a sales monster, why doesn’t she release? Oh! I remember, she also delayed her album for a whole year because her previous singles were a flop, but you don’t speak about it.

      • Anne November 3, 2015

        @memo

      • Kev Kev November 3, 2015

        You write like Beyonce spoke like in Life Is But a Dream 🙂

      • Rihboy November 3, 2015

        Please honey! Beyonce would do it either! Case closed they been saying new music and fourth quarter releases for bey since July. Yet to have seen anything negating.

      • Slay_Hive November 3, 2015

        Rihgirl Beyonce hasn’t been releasing singles and promoting all year and an album cover. You can not compare unconfirmed rumors to an actual pending album release. Being salty with Bey won’t sell anti-rihlease date. Sorry

  3. Dev November 3, 2015

    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

    I am living for ThatRIHANNAJuice’s deep interest in her new album!!!

    I know PLENTY of Rihanna fans who aren’t even this bothered!!! The DESPERATION to have this record is TOO REAL

    Anyway, take your time Riri… Release the album next year spring or Summer if you want too because I am living for the breakdown’s by the “so-called” “non-fans”. 😉 😉 😉

    • Lil Kim thee ONLY QB November 3, 2015

      Don’t you just hate it when Sam’s musty, crusty,dusty, power bottom, ugly a** holds your comments? In other news I would’ve dropped Rihanna from the label after that stunt she pulled at the X-factor. I wasn’t amused.

  4. christinastherealtalent November 3, 2015

    I say everybody should release their albums and whoever remains at #1 is the real queen!!!

  5. HailBeysus November 3, 2015

    LMFAO!!!!! YAAASSSS THIS TEA IS JUST TO GOOD TO PASS ON!!!! Poor Navy just can’t catch a break. But don’t worry all her success stans will come runnning back as soon as the album and a new single drops.

  6. Arianator Barb November 3, 2015

    The Adele pat isn’t shocking. Neither is the thirst for hits…js

  7. MsYonce November 3, 2015

    Ok Sam this needs to stop already

  8. No favs, just here for the music November 3, 2015

    I don’t understand the sponsor giveaway? How does that work exactly?

    • Faf November 3, 2015

      Like how jay z did w his last
      Platinum upon release bc it’s free w the purchase

  9. Barb-wire November 3, 2015

    Now now Sam, we all get our kiiis over M-I-Anti’s dilemma but this is getting outta hand sis! The obsession is too much.

  10. MsYonce November 3, 2015

    However I don’t agree with this Samsung giving away the album counting as sales thing

  11. Girl Hush November 3, 2015

    Rihanna had all year to drop this album. If she stands by her “art”, just release the music and let it speak for itself.

    • PhlyGerl November 8, 2015

      I don’t think she actually had “all year”. I think her only option was Q4. It just makes sense. The biggest music sales seasons are Winter/Christmas & Summer/School’s Out/Vacation Time. Since Rihanna has basically closed this Samsung deal, its most likely that they expected to maximize both the sales/use of their new product and the marketing for it by releasing during the biggest shopping event of the year. People are both buying new phone and new music as gifts. Also, people are buying new music to keep them in spirits during the long, cold, dark winter months. I think if it were really up to Rihanna she would’ve released this earlier this year (GGGB was released in May) or sometime next year when her duties to her movie (which she probably already knew she got the role for a while ago) and her duties as PUMA’s Women’s Director died down. So that would’ve been sometime Spring/Summer 2016. Enough time for a Winter tour. Tidal could cover the tour/videos and Samsung could cover the music/remixes.

  12. AJ November 3, 2015

    The album ain’t even finished

  13. Weezy Tha Goat November 3, 2015

    B**** look either drop a single or just scrap the entire project. I’m tired of waiting, Adele is about to dominate the airwaves and Robyn is still struggling to get a release date????

    • Faf November 3, 2015

      She’s dropped four and snippets ????

  14. Chileplease November 3, 2015

    I couldn’t care less about Rihanna (or her music) but this is excessive. Regardless of whether her album flops or succeeds is irrelevant to her brand because her brand (unfortunately) isn’t built on album sales. Relax.

  15. King Stephy November 3, 2015

    Y’all Messy. smh…

  16. Jamie November 3, 2015

    It’s a new story about this non existent album everyday.

  17. Jel November 3, 2015

    and Rihanna be like: Why are you so obsessed with me?
    Are you schizophrenic or simply maniacal and depressed, Sam honey? it really must be something serious.

  18. Slay_Hive November 3, 2015

    ???????????????????????????? This shiit is so pathetic!!! I said all of this…????????????

  19. S****** Blonde November 3, 2015

    No comment……Let me try to fix this post.

    Guys, What are your faves albums of 2015 so far?

    • Rosie November 3, 2015

      Honestly can’t even decide at this point but my favorite Q4 release by far right now is VEGA INTL. Night School by Neon Indian. It’s the pop aoty tbh. Slumlord/Slumlord’s Re-Lease/Techno Clique is the best 3-punch of songs this year.
      Also can’t wait for Grimes’ new album this week but I’m hoping the album as a whole is more like REALiTi and not Flesh Without Blood. God this was such a good year for music outside of top 40.

      • ANDREW November 3, 2015

        Yes bish you better Stan for Neon Indian!! Annie and The glitzy hive are gems.
        Also can’t get enough of my love is cool by Wolf Alice

      • Rosie November 3, 2015

        Wolf Alice is great. I would much rather have them happen here than Catfish & the Bottlemen (who are complete trash).
        Top 5 from VINS imo: Techno Clique, The Glitzy Hive, Slumlord, Street Level, 61 Cygni Ave

    • LB November 3, 2015

      1. Unbreakable – Janet Jackson
      2. BADLANDS – Halsey
      3. If you’re reading this it’s too late – Drake
      4. Calling all lovers – Tamar Braxton
      5. I am – Leona Lewis
      6. Love story – Yelawolf

      Those are the only ones that have caught my attention this year so far.

      • Tyler Makiavelli November 3, 2015

        @LB/Shakira Stan

        Im literally crying @ u revealing ur true colors in the Rihanna Covers Amy Whinehouse post lol. Then! Having the AUDACITY to use my name as a scapegoat. You a stupid b**** LMAO.

      • shakira stan November 3, 2015

        Lol the fool thinks we are the same person

  20. RihYonce November 3, 2015

    It’s sad that the album STILL isn’t finished

  21. iSpeakTruthNoFallacy November 3, 2015

    Whether it comes out now, next week, next month, or next summer, Sam will keep reporting on it, and it WILL be a smash. The label wants breathing room which is fair to all artists releasing in the fourth quarter.

  22. Rihanna November 3, 2015

    thanx for the free promo I get here!
    #R8 #ANTI #ThirstIsReal #KeepPromoteTheHellOutOfIt

  23. Rosie November 3, 2015

    I know whoever owns this site hates Rihanna but why are the Navi blaming them? Blame HDD for posting this a few hours ago.
    Anyways ANTi is the messiest era I have ever seen. Even Artpop was handled better. Not even Honeymoon is this messy (probably because Lana is lazy as hell and literally does not care about promo, just like Rih at this point).

  24. Truth Teller 2016 November 3, 2015

    Oh how the chickens have come home to roost.

    Back in 2013, the Navy claimed Beyoncé was scared of releasing her album to avoid competition.unfortunately for them, Bey had a plan. Bey released her album and slayed the competition. Rihanna hasn’t been the same since Beyonce’s self title release. Sis went into hiding immediately after that album dominated the charts. There’s Clearly a pattern here, she avoids releasing during the 4th quarter, anytime there’s a huge female artist release. Rihanna skipped 2013 (Beyonce), 2014 (Taylor) and looks like about skip 2015 (Adele). Poor Navy. LOL!

  25. DEL BEY November 3, 2015

    This sites STALE

  26. Tyler Makiavelli November 3, 2015

    Bwahahahahaha
    Oh, how the mighty have fallen 😀 😀 😀

  27. BeyRihLiyah November 3, 2015

    I honestly think rih don’t even care anymore

    • SucuriMe November 3, 2015

      but Sam cares so fvcking much… lmfao

  28. JustineSkyeLOVESRihannax November 3, 2015

    Samantha Is Stressed Out All Over About This. I Wonder If His Hairline Is Leaned Back As SlayHives. I Actually Saw Slayhives Mom Twerkin For A Bag Of Cheetos Out Here On These Streets. I AM HOLLERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • November 3, 2015

      Enough with the hairline reads gosh time to get creative

  29. janvier November 3, 2015

    Looooooooooooooool, though Sam is messy, HDD Is much worse. Rihanna is now a joke & roc nation is not helping by being greedy. Jay z want to prove a point & has everyone knows riri is still a puppet who has ABSOLUTELY no control over her brand which is pathetic. its not like she is used to being num 1 on BB200 so adele should be the least of her worries. I wish her & her team the best.

  30. janvier November 3, 2015

    Looooooooooooooool, though Sam is messy, HDD Is much worse. Rihanna is now a joke & roc nation is not helping by being greedy. Jay z wants to prove a point & as everyone knows riri is still a puppet who has ABSOLUTELY no control over her brand which is pathetic. its not like she is used to being num 1 on BB200 so adele should be the least of her worries. I wish her & her team the best.

  31. #JACKIE November 3, 2015

    Karma is a b**** and the Navy has run out of excuses LMAO. Rihanna is F*****! She released hella singles and even the album artwork and still no f****** album! She is scared and shook! Just release the music and stop being a p**** you h***** simplex ass w****!!!

    • Tyler Makiavelli November 3, 2015

      Idk whats more entertaining, Rihanna pushing this release date back for the 15th time or LB/Shakira Stan exposing itself in the last post hahaha

      • shakira stan November 4, 2015

        You must be a big fool if you think me and lb are the same

  32. janvier November 3, 2015

    Looooool Tyler, this LB(looose smelly büTT) is a joke. Its a blog dude, just have fun.

    • Tyler Makiavelli November 3, 2015

      The b**** needs to get a life lol.
      AnTEAways, Im going to need Sam to do a TGJs best comments, most memorable commentors, and troll exposure post. That s*** would pure comedy lmao

  33. janvier November 3, 2015

    Lb and centurion will definitely take the awards for best trolls, lol

  34. Truth November 3, 2015

    Comedy. Yeah, you better run fast from Adele! ’25’ will beat that ass like its name was Chris. Even though I despise Rihanna’s personality, voice and music…it’s moments like this that I actually like her! ROFLMAO!

  35. A&R November 3, 2015

    I don’t understand why TGJ create post like this. It does nothing for the us as the consumers of music. It’s unattractive and is too much information. Outside you guys taking interest in the why behind Rihanna’s hold up… Why is this even important to report to her fans and or music consumers? I hate when you guys tell us about artist marketing / launching campaigns… I hate that ish. As a lover of the art… I don’t wanna feel like I’m being sold. Although the business lies behind the music…unless we’re planning to work for these artist… We don’t care. We just want the art. We like the celebration around the release….whether it’s done at the time you all think it should be or not. Plz stop giving us stories like this… It’s truly unnecessary and aggravating.

    • #JACKIE November 3, 2015

      Be mad at HDD, not TGJ! They’re just the messenger babe.

      • Pope November 4, 2015

        ‘The medium is the message’ (Marshall McLuhan), babe.

  36. trishna2 November 3, 2015

    Beyonce doesn’t want Rihanna to release New album.

  37. OMG Logic!!! November 3, 2015

    I must say, this is quite tragic for Rihanna. Giving away your album just to buffer it’s Billboard stats? The desperation is real, but I’m not complaining. I’ll gladly take one of those lovely Samsung codes.

  38. wait… November 3, 2015

    if she comes out with good music then idc, unlike you sale slaying sl*ts i’m happy to wait for Rihanna, Beyonce, Adele, Frank etc for as long as it needs. I’m more interested in their music than their opening week.

  39. jamon November 3, 2015

    Sam/David,it’s about time you admitted your obsession with Rihanna. 3 or 4 post a day about this women. You need her to keep your site going. Enough with the thirst and post about her album, which I still haven’t heard Rihanna speak about. Just your lame post about it.

  40. Keith November 3, 2015

    If the music is good, then simply release the album and let your fans enjoy. There may never be a perfect “window”…

  41. DIABETES UNBOTHERED November 3, 2015

    Poor rih, bey goes in the history books as the artist that changed the way music is released ww for ever (something that even Adele will benefit off of) while rih goes n the history books forse worse album cmpain ever. Adele: but i warned u just to release ANTI but now u running out of time… so hello from the flop side… i know u see that ive tried…

    • OMG Logic!!! November 3, 2015

      Thighyonce wasn’t the first major artist to drop an album unannounced though…

      • HailBeysus November 4, 2015

        No she wasn’t I think David Bowie was. But she was the first to do it on a grande scale. That’s what triggered all the talking and attention and for awhile Beyonce literally gave the world something to listen to and talk about at the same time. Her album went number 1 on itunes charts in 106 countries. The Friday album release was inspired by her and theres no denying it.

    • PhlyGerl November 8, 2015

      I think it was actually Jay-Z (and before that, U2 & Lady GaGa) who changed the way music is released worldwide forever. That is to say that all three of those artists recognized and capitalized on the growing trend of consumers buying digital releases versus physical releases. As well as honing in on just how a growing number of consumers actually listened to their music, which was on-the-go via phone, iPod, car, tablet, & laptop. I think it was last year that was the first year that digital sales outnumbered physical sales of albums.

      I did read what Billboard had to say about the Friday album release change, and nowhere did I read anything about Beyonce. They did mention, however, the disparities between release dates overseas and in the U.S. and how that contributed to pirating and campaign/release disruptions. They were trying to curb that. So they put EVERYBODY on the SAME release schedule WORLDWIDE so that it would lessen rollout disruptions and pirating. As well as get all digital retailers equal footing with synchronized releases.

  42. DIABETES UNBOTHERED November 3, 2015

    …to warn u not to announce a release date… when u flop u cant say i didnt warn u… told u so. Bey rather di young: i know i caught u slipping i know u tried… i know u tried to do somethin diffrent… but its a flop… i think i know whats best for you… juust… STAAAART OOOOOVER!!!!

  43. DIABETES UNBOTHERED November 3, 2015

    ^^^lyrics to START OVER from 4.

  44. @JanetCIARA_ November 3, 2015

    LMFAOOOO

  45. Lock love November 3, 2015

    This RhiHÔANNA reign has finally let up! ????????????????The Slayage of the ” Beyonce album” & Adele’s upcoming album has forced RHIHÈRPES to go into panic mode! She’s now so worried and scared to release her flop album #Anti-vocalist!

    This is #Karma coming to bite Rhihoè on her flat a333!

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