Rihanna becomes first Black female artist in Spotify history to surpass 50 billion streams

Rihanna is first Black female artist to surpass 50 billion streams

Even without a new album in nearly a decade, Rihanna continues to prove why she’s one of the most iconic and influential figures in music. With her latest achievement, she cements her place in streaming history — all while balancing family life and business ventures.

A Record-Breaking Streaming Milestone

On Wednesday, Chart Data confirmed a historic achievement for Rihanna. The global superstar has now officially surpassed 50 billion streams on Spotify, making her the first Black female artist in history to hit that milestone on the platform.

This number includes both her solo catalog and collaborative features, which span more than 15 years of chart-dominating music. From early hits like “Umbrella” and “Take a Bow” to streaming-era smashes like “Work” and “Needed Me,” Rihanna’s impact continues to resonate, even in her extended absence from regular releases.

With this feat, Rihanna joins an elite circle of artists, male or female, who have crossed the 50 billion threshold — and she’s done it without releasing a studio album since 2016.

The Legacy of Anti

Rihanna’s last full-length album, Anti, dropped in January 2016, and remains a modern classic. The album featured a bold, genre-blending sound, critical acclaim, and massive streaming success. Standout tracks included:

• “Work” featuring Drake (which spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100)
• “Needed Me”
• “Love on the Brain”
• “Kiss It Better”

Despite being nearly a decade old, Anti has remained a streaming juggernaut, and continues to attract new listeners on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. As of mid-2025, Anti still sits among the most-streamed R&B albums by a female artist.

Rihanna has released a few songs since then, including her 2022 comeback ballad “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — which earned an Oscar nomination — and most recently, “Friend of Mine” from the Smurfs movie soundtrack, released in May 2025.

“Friend of Mine” – A Taste of Rih in 2025

While not a traditional single or part of a larger project, “Friend of Mine” reminded fans of what they’ve been missing: Rihanna’s unmistakable voice and emotional delivery. The track, a playful and family-friendly tune featured on the Smurfs soundtrack, gave younger audiences a taste of Rihanna’s range and introduced her voice to a new generation.

The release was warmly received and sparked renewed hope among fans that new material — possibly even an album — is finally on the way.

A New Era of Rihanna: Music, Motherhood & Empire Building

In the past three years, Rihanna’s life has taken a major turn — or several. She has become a mother of three, welcoming children with her longtime partner, A$AP Rocky, between 2022 and 2025. The couple has embraced family life, occasionally offering the public sweet glimpses of their kids while maintaining a degree of privacy.

Balancing motherhood with global fame isn’t easy, but Rihanna has done so with elegance and determination — all while continuing to run her Fenty empire, which includes:

• Fenty Beauty, her billion-dollar cosmetics brand
• Savage X Fenty, her inclusive lingerie line
• Fenty Skin, her skincare label
• Ongoing work in fashion, fragrance, and entertainment partnerships

Rihanna is now just as known for boardrooms as she is for billboards, redefining what it means to be a pop star in the 2020s.

Still Waiting for “R9”

Despite her other ventures and the joys of motherhood, fans are still holding out hope for Rihanna’s long-awaited ninth studio album — dubbed “R9” by her devoted Navy fanbase.

In countless interviews over the years, Rihanna has teased the project — sometimes playfully, sometimes seriously. At one point, she even joked that fans would “not be ready” for the new sound she’s been experimenting with, which reportedly leans heavily into Caribbean and dancehall influences.

Yet, as the years go by, the album has remained elusive. Still, the excitement surrounding any hint of new music never dies down. The release of “Friend of Mine” and her appearance on the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show only intensified speculation that R9 could finally be on the horizon.

Why Rihanna’s 50 Billion Stream Milestone Matters

Streaming platforms have dramatically reshaped the music industry over the last decade. In an era where algorithms and playlist placements drive discovery, reaching 50 billion streams isn’t just about popularity — it’s about cultural staying power.

Rihanna’s milestone matters because:

• She hasn’t released a studio album in nine years
• She has maintained massive global streaming numbers despite being relatively inactive musically
• She is the first Black female artist to hit this number — a groundbreaking achievement in an industry where Black women have long faced barriers in both visibility and equity

This achievement places Rihanna in the same league as streaming powerhouses like Drake, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift — all of whom have either released multiple recent projects or remained heavily active in the touring and music release space.

Social Media Reactions & Fan Love

Fans around the world took to social media to celebrate Rihanna’s historic milestone. Hashtags like #Rihanna50Billion, #R9When, and #TheNavy quickly trended on platforms like Twitter (X) and Instagram. Many users praised Rihanna for “dominating without even trying,” while others joked that she needs to “drop the album already.”

Whether or not R9 arrives this year, Rihanna’s place in music history is already secured. She continues to break records, redefine success, and inspire fans across generations — all while balancing motherhood, multi-million-dollar businesses, and a global legacy.

Her 50 billion Spotify streams aren’t just a number — they’re a reminder that real artistry transcends time, trends, and industry timelines. Rihanna may be quiet on the music front, but when she returns, it’s clear the world will be ready — and listening.