Both ARTPOP and Rated R were flops though. There's nothing to discuss in that respect.
One doesn't invest in a digital app, collaborate with NASA, and spend millions on music videos for nothing. Nor does Rihanna aim to bounce back wtih aggressive, dark Gothic themes from the most traumatic experience in her life for nothing.
If anything R8 is the only project that is yet to be determined. FFS + AO2's videos wouldn't have cost much to produce. And what else has been spent to promote the singles and/or era? There's no investment as of yet. Unless I missed something?
Why do people understand whether movies are flops or not yet obsess over Billboard to determine the outcome of music.
Rihanna doesn't even look like she's even tried.
