{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Anniversary | type = studio | artist = Bryson Tiller | cover = Bryson Tiller - Anniversary.png | alt = | released = {{Start date|2020|10|02}} | recorded = {{hlist|2015|2020<!--Sourced in Background section-->}} | venue = | studio = | genre = R&B<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2021/02/bryson-tiller-releases-anniversary-deluxe-edition/|title = Bryson Tiller Releases 'Anniversary' Deluxe Edition|date = 26 February 2021}}</ref> | length = 30:50 | label = RCA | producer = * 40 * Evan Clayton * Bijan Amir * CameOne * Chris LaRocca * Dpat * Gravez * III * J-Louis * Lee Major * Nami * Nes * Nineteen85 * Rhys * Sean Momberger * StreetRunner * Syk Sense * Tarik Azzouz * Teddy Walton * Vinylz | prev_title = True to Self | prev_year = 2017 | next_title = A Different Christmas | next_year = 2021 | misc = {{Singles | name = | type = studio | single1 = Inhale | single1date = September 3, 2020 | single2 = Always Forever | single2date = September 23, 2020 | single3 = Outta Time | single3date = October 20, 2020 }} }}
'''''Anniversary''''' (stylized as '''A N N I V E R S A R Y''')<ref name="Apple">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/a-n-n-i-v-e-r-s-a-r-y/1533349969|title=A N N I V E R S A R Y by Bryson Tiller on Apple Music|via=Apple Music|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Bryson Tiller. It was released by RCA Records on October 2, 2020, the fifth anniversary of Tiller's debut studio album, ''Trapsoul''. The album includes a sole guest appearance from Drake in the standard edition and a guest appearance from Big Sean in the deluxe edition, released on February 26, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-26|title=Bryson Tiller Delivers 'ANNIVERSARY (Deluxe)'|url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/bryson-tiller-anniversary-deluxe-album-stream|access-date=2021-03-02|website=HYPEBEAST}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-26|title=Bryson Tiller Releases 'Anniversary' Deluxe Edition|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2021/02/bryson-tiller-releases-anniversary-deluxe-edition/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Rated R&B|language=en-US}}</ref>
The album debuted at number five on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, earning 57,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.<ref name="BB200"/>
==Background and conception== Tiller first teased a new album in the video for the album's lead single "Inhale", released on September 3, 2020. The visual ends with the message: "New album this fall".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/09/bryson-tiller-new-song-inhale-new-album.html|title=Bryson Tiller Reemerges With 'Inhale,' Announces New Album|work=Vulture|last=Haylock|first=Zoe|date=September 3, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> On September 25, a "deluxe" edition of ''Trapsoul'' was released, in preparation for ''Anniversary'', featuring two songs that were previously released on SoundCloud during the Trapsoul era, as well as The Weeknd's remix of Trapsoul cut "Rambo" (titled "Rambo: Last Blood").<ref name="Deluxe">{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2020/09/23/bryson-tiller-readies-trapsoul-deluxe/|title=Bryson Tiller to Release 'Trapsoul' Deluxe|work=Rap-Up|date=September 23, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> He officially announced the album and its title on September 28, posting a short trailer on Twitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.58141/title.bryson-tiller-announces-anniversary-album-release-date|title=Bryson Tiller Announces 'Anniversary' Album Release Date|work=HipHopDX|last=Ivey|first=Justin|date=September 28, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> Two days before the album's release, he held a special Zoom listening session with fans, during which he played the entire project for the first time.<ref name="Session">{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2020/10/01/bryson-tiller-anniversary-tracklist/amp/|title=Bryson Tiller Reveals 'Anniversary' Tracklist|work=Rap-Up|date=October 1, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> It was also revealed that the album would include a feature from Canadian rapper Drake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/294760-bryson-tiller-previews-anniversary-album-with-drake-feature-on-outta-time-news|title=Bryson Tiller Previews "Anniversary" Album, Drake Featured On "Outta Time"|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> During the session, Tiller said the album was created after "digging through the Trapsoul archives" during a 2020 trip to Los Angeles. He proceeded to work on ideas that he started five years before when making ''Trapsoul''. Tiller called ''Anniversary'' the "first wave", stating that he has a lot of new music coming, hinting at his previously announced album, ''Serenity''.<ref name="Session" /> That album was put on hold as he felt that his life at the time did not reflect the album's theme.<ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/bryson-tiller-played-anniversary-album-zoom-meeting/|title=Fans React After Bryson Tiller Played His Entire 'Anniversary' Album In A Zoom Meeting|work=Uproxx|last=Okon|first=Wongo|date=September 30, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> Tiller described ''Anniversary'' as having a "different" energy than ''True to Self'', an album he said he did not want to make due to legal and personal matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/bryson-tiller-trapsoul-anniversary-interview-9453828|title=Bryson Tiller Knows His Last Album Wasn't Good Enough. Now, He's Ready To Return With His A-Game|work=Billboard|last=Carl|first=Lamarre|date=September 23, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref> ''Anniversary'' is dedicated to his late grandmother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopweekly.com/bryson-tiller-hosts-a-virtual-album-release-party-for-anniversary/|title=Bryson Tiller Hosts A Virtual Album Release Party For "Anniversary"|work=Hip Hop Weekly|last=Santana|first=Driune|date=October 1, 2020|accessdate=October 1, 2020}}</ref>
==Cover art== The album artwork was noted for resembling the ''Trapsoul'' cover; it shows Tiller facing left in front of a blue-lit space.<ref name="Uproxx" />
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-n-n-i-v-e-r-s-a-r-y-mw0003435736|title = A N N I V E R S A R Y Review by Andy Kellman|website = AllMusic}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Exclaim!'' | rev2score = 7/10<ref name="Exclaim!">{{cite web |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/bryson_tiller_anniversary_album_review |title=Bryson Tiller Celebrates the 'Anniversary' of His Breakthrough by Refining His R&B Sound |work=Exclaim! |date=October 5, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |last=Ankrah |first=Veracia}}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Young Folks'' | rev3score = 7/10<ref name="TYF">{{cite web|author=Ryan Feyre |url=https://www.theyoungfolks.com/music/148861/album-review-anniversary-is-bryson-tillers-best-project-to-date/ |title=Album Review: "Anniversary" is Bryson Tiller’s best project to date |publisher=The Young Folks |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2023 }}</ref> | noprose = yes }}
''Anniversary'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for AllMusic, Andy Kellman noted that the album "does not appear to be designed as a work of distinct identity," however, Tiller "has spoken of his inclination to be a shadowy figure." Kellman stated that the album consists of "mostly downcast verses and boastful non-sequiturs over torpid booming rhythms."<ref name="AllMusic" /> ''Exclaim!''{{'}}s Veracia Ankrah stated that "Tiller has returned to the '90s R&B sound that cultivated his dedicated fan base, with rap-esque crooning over heavy bass beats." She continued to note that his "voice is a recognizable return to his essence, sharing his honest but shallow versions of vulnerability," and that it "does not shy away from Tiller's notable flips of cassette tapes and voicemail recordings from an array of displeased women."<ref name="Exclaim!" />
Ryan Feyre for ''The Young Folks'' stated that the production was a key part of the album, writing that "the drums, while adhering to a commercial bend, can sometimes feel like they’re shifting the tectonic plates in the Earth" and that "considering the album’s bulky universality, the backdrop is admirably fitting." He writes that "the second half of the album illustrates a noticeable difference in warmth and dimensionality." Feyre wrote that despite lacking innovation, Tiller "seems more inclined to appreciate the little things" and that he makes up for the weak points with his "personal storytelling." Concluding his review, he stated that "Rather than fight time’s grass, Tiller nurtures it as if it were his child. Embraces it like a new lover."<ref name="TYF" />
==Commercial performance== ''Anniversary'' debuted at number five on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, earning 57,000 album-equivalent units, (including 4,000 copies as pure album sales) in its first week.<ref name="BB200">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9463907/21-savage-metro-boomin-savage-billboard-200-chart-debut/|title=21 Savage & Metro Boomin's 'Savage Mode II' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|author=Keith Caulfield|work=Billboard|date=October 11, 2020|accessdate=October 21, 2020}}</ref> This became Tiller's third US top-ten on the chart.<ref name="BB200"/> The album accumulated a total of 68.6 million in on-demand streams of the album’s songs that week.<ref name="BB200"/> The album also debuted at number four on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number one on the US Top R&B Albums charts respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2020-10-17|title=TRBHH - 2020-10-17|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-albums/2020-10-17|title=TRA - 2020-10-17|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 21, 2020}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Anniversary'' track listing<ref name="Apple" /> | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Years Go By | writer1 = {{hlist|Bryson Tiller|Nicholas Warwar|Tarik Azzouz|Ruby Wood|Dominic Howard|Tommy Evans|Tarek Modi|Christopher Hargreaves|Daniel Templeman|Simon Beddoe}} | extra1 = {{hlist|StreetRunner|Azzouz}} | length1 = 2:59 | title2 = Always Forever | writer2 = {{hlist|Tiller|Joshua Huizar|Travis Walton|Michael Cerda}} | extra2 = {{hlist|J-Louis|Teddy Walton|CameOne}} | length2 = 2:50 | title3 = I'm Ready for You | writer3 = {{hlist|Tiller|Philip Coleman Jr.|Bijan Amirkhani|Dylan Teixeira|Devon Roberts|Jacob Wilkinson-Smith|Chris LaRocca}} | extra3 = {{hlist|NES|Bijan Amir|Nami|Rhys|My Best Friend Jacob|LaRocca}} | length3 = 2:54 | title4 = Things Change | writer4 = {{hlist|Tiller|Kai Wright|Sean Seaton|Christopher Terrell|DeVon Lee|Devin Tracy|Romayne Erin|Terrance Griffith}} | extra4 = III | length4 = 3:34 | title5 = Timeless Interlude | writer5 = {{hlist|Tiller|Michael McKinney|Lee Elliott|Joshua Scruggs|Sean Momberger}} | extra5 = {{hlist|Lee Major|Syk Sense|Momberger}} | length5 = 2:59 | title6 = Sorrows | writer6 = {{hlist|Tiller|Christopher Justice|Peter Allen|David Foster|Tom Keane}} | extra6 = Gravez | length6 = 3:13 | title7 = Inhale | writer7 = {{hlist|Tiller|David Patino|Kenneth Edmonds}} | extra7 = Dpat | length7 = 2:51 | title8 = Outta Time | note8 = featuring Drake | writer8 = {{hlist|Tiller|Aubrey Graham|Tyler Bryant|Josh Valle|Noah Shebib|Paul Jeffries|Anderson Hernandez|Snoh Nowrozi|Marcus James}} | extra8 = {{hlist|40|Nineteen85|Vinylz}} | length8 = 3:18 | title9 = Keep Doing What You're Doing | writer9 = {{hlist|Tiller|Huizar|Darhyl Camper Jr.}} | extra9 = J-Louis | length9 = 2:58 | title10 = Next to You | writer10 = {{hlist|Tiller|Walton|Hugo Gruzman|James Lyell|Julian Hamilton}} | extra10 = Walton | length10 = 3:10 | total_length = 30:50 }} {{Track listing | headline = Deluxe edition | extra_column = Producer(s) | title11 = Still Yours | note11 = featuring Big Sean | writer11 = {{hlist|Tiller|Sean Anderson|Troy Williams|Marcello Valenzano|Andre Lyon|Rayshon Cobbs Jr.|Horace Brown|Donald DeGrate Jr.}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Cool & Dre|808-Ray}} | length11 = 3:06 | title12 = Timeless Interlude Pt. II | writer12 = {{hlist|Tiller|Wright|Patino|Keirston Lewis}} | extra12 = {{hlist|Dpat|Sango}} | length12 = 1:58 | title13 = Losing Focus | writer13 = {{hlist|Tiller|Aaron Booe|Walton|Huizar}} | extra13 = J-Louis | length13 = 3:24 | title14 = 7:00 | writer14 = {{hlist|Tiller|Scruggs|Johnnie Winters|Usher Raymond IV|Brian Casey|Jermaine Dupri|Manuel Seal}} | extra14 = {{hlist|Syk Sense|Johnnie Winters}} | length14 = 3:08 | title15 = Like Clockwork | writer15 = {{hlist|Tiller|Philipp Rodrian|Jeremias Volk|Carlos Martin|Coleman|Luca Starz}} | extra15 = {{hlist|Rowan|NES|Luca}} | length15 = 2:56 | total_length = 45:19 }}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Chart performance for ''Anniversary'' |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=October 12, 2020|accessdate=October 10, 2020}}</ref> | 11 |- {{album chart|Flanders|41|artist=Bryson Tiller|album=Anniversary|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|86|artist=Bryson Tiller|album=Anniversary|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|6|artist=Bryson Tiller|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 13, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|23|artist=Bryson Tiller|album=Anniversary|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|France|86|M|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=41?&annee=2020&categorie=Top%20Albums|title=Top Albums (Week 41, 2020)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|artist=Bryson Tiller|album=Anniversary|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Ireland3|38|date=20201009|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 9, 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2020-10-09|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=October 12, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2020}}</ref> | 17 |- ! scope="row"| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://topplista.no/charts/albums/2020-w41/|title=VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 41, 2020|publisher=VG-lista|accessdate=October 9, 2020}}</ref> | 34 |- {{album chart|Switzerland|59|artist=Bryson Tiller|album=Anniversary|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 14, 2020}} |- {{album chart|UK2|12|date=20201009|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 9, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|5|artist=Bryson Tiller|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 13, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|4|artist=Bryson Tiller|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 13, 2020}} |- |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Year-end chart performance for ''Anniversary'' |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2020|work=Billboard|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref> | 96 |} {{col-end}}
== Certifications == {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Anniversary''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|title=A N N I V E R S A R Y|artist=Bryson Tiller|type=album|award=Silver|id=19798-4218-2|access-date=March 15, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2020|certyear=2025|title=Anniversary|artist=Bryson Tiller|type=album|award=Gold|access-date=October 2, 2025}} {{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Bryson Tiller}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2020 albums Category:Bryson Tiller albums Category:RCA Records albums