Taylor.

And the reason I say that is because the key word here is "underperform" and when it comes to being an album's artist, Taylor has higher standards and bigger shoes to fill. Rihanna has traditionally been a singles artist because of her annual albums, she's never gone this long without releasing an album or an EP, so this will be her first big comeback, and she's got a lot going on around her at the moment. Consequently this could be her biggest album ever. Plus Taylor's going to have to really change it up or it'll just feel like a continuation from Red.

Why does one have to underperform?

You're mad cause he gave his opinion on a topic he was asked about? Girl you need to follow my instructions and get your sensitive ass out of this thread.

Anyhow, Taylor of course. Red was cute while it lasted.

Taylor "underperforming" is still better than Rihanna "smashing".

No, I'm not mad that. I'm not even mad at all. I just don't understand why he's so critical of Taylor and everything related to her and everything she does. That member has a tendency to go to Taylor threads, even positive threads about her, and throw in negative remarks that have a tendency to be either delusional or ignoring to certain facts about her career. I'm simply saying that I decided to put them on my ignore list as a result of that. And you don't tell me what to do.

Taylor's stans are here for her no matter what.

Rih on the other hand depends on hits. So if she has a flop she is in far more danger.

You make very good points.

I guess the only (fair) way Taylor can under-perform in comparison to Rih is if she sells about the same (or less/only slightly more) as R8, considering she does have bigger shoes to fill, so for her to be on par with Rih in the states would be very questionable. All while Rih would have to do worst than Unapologetic to underperform, considering she's making a big come back and has people perched, so if she fails to make this her new peak, then eh...

Rihanna. Taylor is a beast in the US.

It's kinda funny how people are calling RiRi's next era a "comeback" when Tyler has taken a slightly longer break since Her last release. Just an observation.

This is a comeback for Rihanna as she skipped her traditional yearly album release (in 2013)..

Taylor might underperform since she has set the bar high for herself with the last 2 albums. I'm not worried tho since she has a loyal fanbase. Rihanna has underperformed all her life so I don't know maybe she'll continue the streak

.....don't you do the same with Rihanna? Or would you call that stating facts?

No, I don't do that with Rihanna because I make sure I'm aware of her updated, uninflated stats and current news before I post in a thread about her so that I wouldn't come off as uneducated.

Rihanna.

Rihanna

Taylor has more to lose.

Taylor might underperform but she will NOT have no songs in the top 5 and will not debut with less than 400k.

Well if the lord sells less than 1 mil her 1st week *some* people will call it a flop, so hmm.

What a comparison? Taylor could sell 900k and still be considered an underperformance. Rihanna could sell 500k and have it be called her sales peak.