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Rated R (Rihanna album)

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Untitled

Rated R is the fourth studio album by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna, scheduled to be released on November 20, 2009.[1] The album's first single, "Russian Roulette," was written by Ne-Yo and Rihanna, and produced by Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony.[2][4][6][7]

Conception

Background

Rihanna's previous album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) was a critical success and received generally favorable reviews.[8] The album featured five top ten hits—three US number one hit singles—including the international breakthrough single "Umbrella."

In February 2009, Rihanna was scheduled to perform at the 2009 Grammy Awards, although her performance was cancelled.[9][10] Rihanna was involved in an alleged altercation with then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, who was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats.[11] The following month, Brown was charged with assault and making criminal threats.[12][13] A leaked photograph of Rihanna was obtained by TMZ.com, which revealed Rihanna had sustained visible injuries. Due to the leaked photograph from the Los Angeles Police Department, an organization known as STOParazzi has proposed a law called "Rihanna's Law", which, if enacted, would "deter employees of law enforcement agencies from releasing photos or information that exploits crime victims."[14][15] Rihanna was subpoenaed to testify during a preliminary hearing in L.A. on June 22, 2009.[16][17] Rihanna's attorney, Donald Etra stated, "The DA told me Rihanna will be subpoenaed. I will accept on her behalf."[18] "She will appear in court, and if asked to testify, she will do so".[19][20] In June 2009, Brown pled guilty to the felony assault and received five years probation. He was ordered to stay fifty yards away from Rihanna, unless at public events, which then will be reduced to ten yards.[21]

After the song "Bad Girl"—a song recorded by Rihanna and Chris Brown for the Confessions of a Shopaholic Soundtrack[22]—was released, there were reports that Rihanna and Brown were recorded music together.[23] Although the song was recorded before the the alleged incident.[24] The song was eventually re-recorded by the Pussycat Dolls and was added to the soundtrack.[25] In regards of the album, there was much speculation about if any of the songs on the album would be about Brown.[26] Although, Ne-Yo who's written songs for Rihanna in the past, said he wouldn't write a "Chris Brown Bash song for Rihanna" because he doesn't "think that needs to be a song that's sung or written," and also because of his friendship with Brown.[26] Chuck Harmony, who produced the album's lead single, felt that no matter what song "Rihanna released as her comeback single people would immediately think it was about Chris Brown."[4]

Recording

Following the altercation with Brown, Rihanna began recording songs for the album.[27] Rihanna has worked with several song-writers and producers on the album, including Chuck Harmony, The-Dream, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Chase & Status, Stargate, and Justin Timberlake.[2][3][6] In the early production of the album, Rihanna worked with Norwegian record producing and songwriting team Stargate.[27][28] Stargate added that the collaboration was "very rewarding" and "inspiring for us," although didn't reveal the names of any songs that they recorded, commenting: "I don't think we should talk about titles just yet. We don't really know which songs are gonna make it, but it feels exciting."[27] In March 2009, she began working with Adonis Shropshire who stated that she was just easing back into the studio with a couple of ideas here and there over the last couple of weeks.[29][30]

Rihanna recorded songs during the summer with Chuck Harmony and Ne-Yo.[4] She took a wider role in the songwriting process with Ne-Yo, who in October 2009 stated that Rihanna had a lot of things to say on the album and won't make any apologies.[3][31] They worked together on a bunch of songs although Ne-Yo didn't know exactly what songs were kept for the album.[32] While working together, he felt that Rihanna wasn't the same girl as the one he worked with a few years back but stated that she became more comfortable in her skin now.[32] Rihanna requested somber vibe song's for the album, but not just dark for the sake of being dark, she wanted dark song's that had some kind of meaning.[33] While recording with Harmony, he stated that he "wanted to give her a movie" and not "just give her a three-minute song."[4] The album's lead single,"Russian Roulette," was written by Rihanna and Ne-Yo in which he feels is "a different direction for both of us."[33] Ne-Yo and Harmony felt that the song should be "something a little darker ... little edgier ... little more morbid.[4] Rihanna was comfortable with the vibe and the lyrical content of the song. She eventaully talked to Ne-Yo by phone to tell him that it was one of her favorites.[4]

Rihanna then continued recording the album with production duo Chase & Status. After listening to one of their tracks, "Saxon," Rihanna got in contact with Chase & Status and wanted to work with them because she loved the feel of the drums and wanted a similar thing for her album.[34] They had a pair of sessions with Rihanna and worked together for a few weeks in an undisclosed location.[34] Chase & Status worked with her on songs that had a dubstep vibe, although whenever Rihanna didn't like something she would let them know.[3] On one of the tracks, Rihanna had came up with a cool melody and cool idea to give the song the kind of vibe she wanted.[3] In October 2009, Rihanna began working with Tricky Stewart and The-Dream.[35] Although Stewart and The-Dream contributed to only one song for the album, Stewart said he was very pleased with the results.[36] Stewart and The-Dream traveled to Paris and recorded the song with Rihanna but felt that it took a lot of flying around for only one song.[36] Soulja Boy Tell 'Em confirmed that he was contacted for a feature on the album.[37]

Concept

Ne-Yo said in an interview to "expect an edgier, almost angrier Rihanna on this one" and that she "says some things on this album that you've never heard her say before," while Akon stated that he is "going to lighten her up" and that he doesn't "want an angry Rihanna."[38] He then stated that the album is definitely more edgy than the way we're used to seeing Rihanna, and described the album as liberated.[39] Timberlake, who has also worked with Rihanna, said that Rihanna has "grown up a little bit and she has things that she can say."[40] He also added that because of the huge success of Good Girl Gone Bad, Rihanna wants to make sure that "she isn't pigeonholed into one sound or vibe" commenting: "She broke onto the scene so hard with the last record — to have that many songs on the charts is impressive. I think that the smartest thing she's doing is not trying to emulate what she did but move forward."[40] The album's lead single, "Russian Roulette," is "a bit darker" than some of Rihanna's past singles but Chuck Harmony, the producer, stated that the song "isn't indicative of the rest of the album." Harmony explained that the song and the album "are a reflection of Rihanna's growth as an artist" and that it "is definitely taking her to another level."[40] Trick Stewart talked about the song he and The-Dream contribute to and about the album as a whole describing the song as an uptempo and edgy club banger while stating that the album is different than her past works.[36]

Artwork

On October 8, 2009 Rihanna was shooting pictures in Berlin in a nude body suit and white fur coat.[41][42] The photos are thought to be on the front cover or booklet of the album.[42] The image for the album was shot by fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth who stated that "Rihanna was looking to create something a bit new for the look of the album."[43] von Unwerth, who has also shot other album covers such as, The Velvet Rope (1997), Back to Basics (2006) and Blackout (2007),[44] went on to say that Rihanna was involved in every aspect of the shoot and was ready to push the boundaries.[43] The album cover was released on October 27, 2009, which features Rihanna in a moody, contemplative pose wearing a leather top with her hand covering her right eye and each finger wrapped in an intricate set of rings.[44] The black-and-white cover was compared to the outrageous 1980s album covers by singer Grace Jones.[44]

Release and promotion

The album is scheduled to be released November 23, 2009 in North America.[45][46] On October 15, 2009, Rihanna released a statement along with a picture on her official websites saying: "The Wait is Ova. Nov 23 09".[47][48] The picture with the brief note showed a metallic 'R'.[48] Later on in the week, an uncommented countdown clock on Rihanna's website appeared, the first single from the album was released October 20, 2009.[49][50] Rihanna is set to perform during a three-night preview voyage on the Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, on November 19, 2009.[51] She will also perform at the 2009 American Music Awards, the day before the album is released, on November 22, 2009.[52][53]

Singles

Confirmed tracks

Release history

Region Date Label(s) Format
Australia November 20, 2009 Def Jam Records CD, Digital download
Europe
Ireland
United Kingdom November 23, 2009 Mercury Records
United States Def Jam Records
Brazil[57] November 24, 2009 Universal Music Group
Argentina[58] November 26, 2009
Chile[59]

References

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  2. ^ a b c d "Rihanna's New Album Is 'Rated R'". Billboard.com. October 20, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Rihanna Team Promises "Big Beats and Big Bass" on Next LP". Rolling Stone. 2009-10-16. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Vena, Jocelyn (October 21, 2009). "Rihanna May Have Released 'Russian Roulette' For 'Shock Value,' Producer Says". MTV. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  5. ^ Lynch, Joseph Brannigan (October 14, 2009). "Rihanna's new album: What can we expect?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Rihanna Teams With Ne-Yo For Ominous "Rated R" Single "Russian Roulette"". Rolling Stone. October 20, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "Rihanna reveals new single, 'Russian Roulette'". Los Angeles Times. News Corporation. October 20, 2009.
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  22. ^ Brockington, Ryan (July 13, 2009). New York Post. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ Baker, Ken (March 10, 2009). "Chris Brown and Rihanna Recording...Together!". E!. E! Online. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
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  28. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (April 23, 2009). "Rihanna recording new music with Stargate". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
  29. ^ Daniels, Karu F. "Rihanna: "Easing Back Into" Recording Process". Retrieved 2009-10-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |= ignored (help)
  30. ^ Daily News Staff Writer. "Back to work: Rihanna records music after alleged Chris Brown assault". Daily News. Retrieved 2009-10-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |= ignored (help)
  31. ^ Roberts, Steven (October 20, 2009). "Ne-Yo Says 'World Get Ready' For New Rihanna Album". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
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  34. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (August 12, 2009). "Chase & Status Confirm Rihanna Collaboration". MTV UK. MTV Networks Entertainment Group. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
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  36. ^ a b c Lazerine, Devin. "Tricky Stewart: Rihanna Single Is a 'Monster'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  37. ^ Reid, Shaheem (October 30, 2009). "Soulja Boy Tell'em To Appear On Rihanna's And Chris Brown's Albums". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2009-10-30.
  38. ^ Malkin, Marc (September 14, 2009). "Rihanna: Angrier, Edgier and Ready to Roar?". E!. E! Online. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
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  40. ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (October 19, 2009). "Justin Timberlake Says Rihanna's New Songs Are 'Awesome'". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2009-10-21. Cite error: The named reference "mtvTimberlake" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  41. ^ McConnell, Donna (October 12, 2009). "Rihanna's all fur coat and nude knickers at raunchy photoshoot for new album cover". Mail Online. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  42. ^ a b McConnell, Donna (October 17, 2009). "Rihanna goes all-out for new cover". The Star. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  43. ^ a b PopEater Staff (October 27, 2009). "Rihanna's 'Rated R' Album Cover Debut". PopEater.com. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  44. ^ a b c Kaufman, Gil (October 27. 2009). "Rihanna Gets Serious On Rated R Album Cover". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2009-10-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. ^ Paine, Jake (October 20, 2009). "Rihanna's Rated R Planned For November Release". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  46. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (October 20, 2009). "Rihanna to Release New Album in November". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
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  57. ^ "Brazilian release date". PoplineBr. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  58. ^ ":: Universal Music Argentina :: Rihanna :: Noticia". Universal Music. Retrieved 2009-24-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  59. ^ "WOW - Tu Portal de Música - Rihanna regresa con Rated R". WOW. Retrieved 2009-24-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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