Rihanna's Anti album downloaded a million times in just 15 hours

The Barbadian singer released her eighth record through TIDAL

Rihanna promoting her new album Anti (Getty)

Rihanna has cemented her status as a 21st-century superstar through the release of new album Anti which has notched up a million downloads in just 15 hours.

The singer’s long-awaited eighth record, originally due for release late 2015, was launched via Jay-Z's music-streaming service TIDAL on 27 January.

In the lead up to Anti, Rihanna directed her Twitter followers to the TIDAL page which enabled a select number of fans to download the entire album for free should they simply provide an email address.

The Barbadian musician had also dropped new track "Work" - taken from the album - on BBC Radio 1 hours previous; the single features Drake.

Anti album cover

As well as a crop of new material, Anti also contains a cover of Tame Impala’s “New Person" - although previously released singles "B*tch Better Have My Money" and "American Oxygen" do not feature.

Should you want to listen to Anti, head on over to TIDAL (subscription required). If you’re in need of a hard copy, today (29 January) sees Rihanna release a deluxe version of the record, fit with three bonus songs.

The singer is one of the acts rumoured to be playing this year’s Glastonbury Festival.