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*"[[Rude Boy (song)|Rude Boy]]" was released as the third North American and second international single from the album. It peaked at number one in the United States, becoming Rihanna's sixth number-one single on the Hot 100 and fourteenth top ten hit of her career. It was also the album's third consecutive top-ten single and highest charting.<ref name="NL-14thTop10">{{cite web|url=http://neonlimelight.com/2010/03/04/black-eyed-peas-remain-on-top-rihanna-has-a-record-breaking-rude-boy/|title=Black Eyed Peas Remain On Top, Rihanna Has A Record-Breaking "Rude Boy"|author=TJ|date=March 4, 2010|publisher=Neon Limelight|accessdate=March 4, 2010}}</ref> In addition, it made Rihanna the female artist with the most number one singles on the chart since 2000. It stayed at the top spot for five consecutive weeks. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 52, eventually peaking at number two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/chart.php?week=20100313 |title=Chart Stats - Singles Chart For 13/03/2010|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=34725 |title=Chart Stats - Rihanna - Rude Boy|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rnbsingles/ |title=UK Top 40 RnB Singles|work=[[BBC Radio 1]]|date=7 March 2010|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref> It also reached number-one in Australia, making it Rihanna's fourth number one single.<ref name="AUSSingles">{{Cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Rihanna |title=Discography Rihanna |accessdate=2010-03-07 |publisher=Australian-Charts.com }}</ref> |
*"[[Rude Boy (song)|Rude Boy]]" was released as the third North American and second international single from the album. It peaked at number one in the United States, becoming Rihanna's sixth number-one single on the Hot 100 and fourteenth top ten hit of her career. It was also the album's third consecutive top-ten single and highest charting.<ref name="NL-14thTop10">{{cite web|url=http://neonlimelight.com/2010/03/04/black-eyed-peas-remain-on-top-rihanna-has-a-record-breaking-rude-boy/|title=Black Eyed Peas Remain On Top, Rihanna Has A Record-Breaking "Rude Boy"|author=TJ|date=March 4, 2010|publisher=Neon Limelight|accessdate=March 4, 2010}}</ref> In addition, it made Rihanna the female artist with the most number one singles on the chart since 2000. It stayed at the top spot for five consecutive weeks. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 52, eventually peaking at number two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/chart.php?week=20100313 |title=Chart Stats - Singles Chart For 13/03/2010|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=34725 |title=Chart Stats - Rihanna - Rude Boy|work=Chart Stats|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rnbsingles/ |title=UK Top 40 RnB Singles|work=[[BBC Radio 1]]|date=7 March 2010|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref> It also reached number-one in Australia, making it Rihanna's fourth number one single.<ref name="AUSSingles">{{Cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Rihanna |title=Discography Rihanna |accessdate=2010-03-07 |publisher=Australian-Charts.com }}</ref> |
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*"Rockstar 101" featuring [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] is scheduled to be the fourth single from the album, only to be released in the United States.<ref>http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635661/20100407/rihanna.jhtml</ref> The song was performed on ''[[American Idol]]'' on April 7, 2010.<ref>http://top40.about.com/b/2010/04/07/rihanna-debuts-rockstar-101-single-on-american-idol-a-dud.htm</ref> An official clip of the video was released on May 19, 2010 featuring Rihanna wearing a red fiery wig, a latex bodysuit and a bold striped jacket.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1279657/Rihanna-keeps-Rated-R-status-raunchy-video-Rockstar-101.html#ixzz0oOF5y0cl</ref> |
*"Rockstar 101" featuring [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] is scheduled to be the fourth single from the album, only to be released in the United States.<ref>http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635661/20100407/rihanna.jhtml</ref> The song was performed on ''[[American Idol]]'' on April 7, 2010.<ref>http://top40.about.com/b/2010/04/07/rihanna-debuts-rockstar-101-single-on-american-idol-a-dud.htm</ref> An official clip of the video was released on May 19, 2010 featuring Rihanna wearing a red fiery wig, a latex bodysuit and a bold striped jacket.The video is expected to premiere on Vevo on Tuesday May 25, 2010<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1279657/Rihanna-keeps-Rated-R-status-raunchy-video-Rockstar-101.html#ixzz0oOF5y0cl</ref> |
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*"[[Te Amo (Rihanna song)|Te Amo]]" will serve as album's fifth international single. It reached number 52 on the [[Swedish Singles Chart]] in 2009.<ref>http://acharts.us/song/52301</ref> On April 18, 2010, the song debuted on the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 94.<ref>http://www.theofficialcharts.com/singles-chart/</ref> and number 29 on the [[UK R&B Chart|R&B chart]].<ref>http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/16/2010-04-24/</ref> It has currently reached a peak of 19 on the singles chart and seven on the R&B chart |
*"[[Te Amo (Rihanna song)|Te Amo]]" will serve as album's fifth international single. It reached number 52 on the [[Swedish Singles Chart]] in 2009.<ref>http://acharts.us/song/52301</ref> On April 18, 2010, the song debuted on the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 94.<ref>http://www.theofficialcharts.com/singles-chart/</ref> and number 29 on the [[UK R&B Chart|R&B chart]].<ref>http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/16/2010-04-24/</ref> It has currently reached a peak of 19 on the singles chart and seven on the R&B chart |
Revision as of 21:42, 21 May 2010
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Rated R is the fourth studio album by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna, released November 20, 2009 on Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place during March to November 2009 at several recording studios, and production was handled primarily by Chase & Status, StarGate, The-Dream, Ne-Yo, and Brian Kennedy. Conceived after Rihanna's assault by her then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, Rated R features a prominently foreboding and angry tone, in terms of musical and lyrical direction, and incorporates elements of hip hop, rock, and dubstep.
The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 181,000 copies in its first week, making it Rihanna's highest-selling debut in the United States. It became her third consecutive platinum album in the US and has spawned three singles that attained chart success, including international hit singles "Rude Boy" and "Russian Roulette" and US top-ten hit "Hard". Upon its release, Rated R received generally positive reviews from most music critics. As of February 2010[update], the album has shipped over 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Background
Rihanna's previous album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) was a commercial success and received generally favorable reviews from most music critics.[2] The album featured five top ten hits—three US number one hit singles—including the international breakthrough single "Umbrella." With regards to the Rated R album, there was much speculation as to whether any of the songs on the album would be about former boyfriend Chris Brown.[3] In an interview with MTV, Ne-Yo—who has written songs for Rihanna in the past—clarified that he would not write a song for Rihanna about Brown because he doesn't think that needs to be a song and because of his friendship with Brown.[3] Producer Chuck Harmony felt that no matter what song Rihanna released as the lead single people would immediately think that the song is about Brown.[4]
During an interview with Marc Malkin at the MTV Video Music Awards, Ne-Yo stated that people should expect an edgier and angrier Rihanna on the album.[5] He later told In Touch Weekly that the album is definitely more edgy than the way we're used to seeing Rihanna while describing the album as "liberated".[6] Akon, on the other hand, stated that he was "going to lighten her up" and didn't want an angry Rihanna.[5] With the success of her last album, Rihanna wanted to make sure that she didn't fall into one sound or vibe.[7] At the "Justin Timberlake & Friends Concert in Las Vegas", Timberlake told MTV that Rated R is a whole new sound and that the new songs are not just a rehash of what fans heard on her last album.[7] "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", Timberlake explained.[7]
After the release of the lead single, "Russian Roulette", Harmony was aware that the reaction was mixed from fans who've heard the track.[4] He further clarified that the song is not relating to the rest of the album and that it is a reflection of Rihanna's growth as an artist.[8] Tricky Stewart spoke to Rap-Up about the song he and The-Dream contributed 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.[9] In February 2010, Rihanna said that she liked the album but her next would be much less intense: "I really like the bottom, the grime of it. But if I were to combine that with more energetic, up-tempo pop records, then I think that would be a happy marriage. And that's where we'll probably go next".[10] When asked what the most important song to her was, she stated that she doesn't have one that is most important, however, "Fire Bomb" and "Cold Case Love" are some of her favorites. She also stated she does enjoy the "fun" songs on this album as well including "Rockstar 101", "Hard", and her hit single, "Rude Boy."[11]
Recording
Rihanna began recording songs for the album in March 2009.[12] The album was recorded over a span of approximately eight months from March to November 2009.[12] The recording sessions for the album took place at Milk Studios in Manhattan, New York, Metropolis Studios in London, England, Studios Davout in Paris, France and at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California.[13] Rihanna worked with several different song-writers and producers on the album, including Chuck Harmony, The-Dream, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Chase & Status, Stargate,[12][14] Demo, and Justin Timberlake.[15][16][17] Rihanna wanted the album to be less Synthpop and have more bass and grime beats which was a major shift from the lighthearted commercial pop of her previous albums.[10] In the early stages of the production, she worked 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.[18][19] Rihanna also worked with Stargate who added that the collaboration was "very rewarding" and "inspiring for us", 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."[12] It was later revealed that Stargate originally produced a collaboration between Rihanna and Canadian rapper Drake.[20] Eventually, however, for reasons unknown, the song did not make the final cut for the album.[21]
During the summer, Rihanna recorded songs for the album with record producer Chuck Harmony.[4] She was involved with writing most of the lyrics on the album with the help of Timberlake and Ne-Yo who would help her translate her emotions into the songs.[10] She worked with Ne-Yo on a number of songs although he didn't know what songs were kept for the album.[22][23] While working together, he felt that Rihanna wasn't the same girl as the one he worked with a few years before and stated that she had become more comfortable in her skin now.[23] In terms of musical direction, Rihanna requested somber vibe songs for the album, but not just dark for the sake of being dark; she wanted dark songs that had some kind of meaning.[24] Harmony wanted "Russian Roulette" to stand out and felt that the song should be darker, edgier and more morbid just to try it out.[4] Rihanna was comfortable with the vibe and the lyrical content of the song and eventually phoned in to Ne-Yo to tell him that it was one of her favorites.[4]
After listening to track "Saxon" performed by Nicki Minaj and production duo Chase & Status, Rihanna got in contact with them and wanted to work with them because she loved the feel of the drums and wanted a similar thing for her album.[25] Chase & Status had a pair of sessions with Rihanna and worked together for a few weeks in an undisclosed location.[25] Chase & Status worked with her on songs that had a dubstep vibe, although whenever Rihanna didn't like something she would let them know.[17] On one of the tracks, Rihanna came up with a melody and idea to give the song the kind of vibe she wanted.[17] In October 2009, she concluded recording sessions with Tricky Stewart and The-Dream.[26] Dream and Tricky flew out to Paris and played a few songs for Rihanna which included the songs "Hard" and "Rockstar 101."[27] The song "Hard" stood out from all the songs because she felt that it had such an arrogance to it.[28] In the song "Rockstar 101," British and American guitarist, Slash, contributed a bass guitar on the track while "Photographs" is a duet with will.i.am.[29] In addition, Ester Dean co-wrote the song "Rude Boy."[30] "The Last Song" was one of the last tracks crafted for the album. Rihanna recorded the song within the final twelve hours of the album's conception: "When the label finally said we had 12 hours to turn in the album, I was like, Okay, I have to do it. I just drank some red wine, dimmed the lights, got in the booth and sang it."[10]
Music
Rated R features a darker and foreboding tone than Rihanna's previous work.[31][32] Primarily an R&B and pop-oriented album,[31][33][34][35] it also incorporates musical elements of hip hop, rock, and dancehall.[36][37] The album's production is typified by a sleek sound and incorporates ominous synthesizers, intertwining guitar licks, tense beats, minor-key melodies, and polyrhythmic vocal harmonies.[31][35][38] Songs such as "Madhouse", "G4L", and "Wait Your Turn" incorporate elements of dubstep, including brooding synths and grumbling basslines.[33][39][40] Rihanna discussed its musical direction in an interview for Glamour magazine, stating "The songs are really personal. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s really hip-hop: If Lil’ Wayne and Kings of Leon like my album, then I’ll feel good".[41] On Rated R's musical style, music journalist Jim DeRogatis perceived that it only incorporates elements of rock, writing "Though there's nothing inherently rock 'n' roll or 'super-fearless' about lacing slick, synthesized dance-pop grooves with a little electric guitar, some of it courtesy of Slash, a quarter of a century after 'Thriller', there is a more insistent punch and electrifying energy in the 13 grooves on 'Rated R'".[42]
The lyrical content of Rated R features generally bleak views on love and boastful lyrics concerning perseverance and overcoming adversity.[36][38][43] The album's lyrics are characterized by grim, raw and angry tones,[36][44] and songs that contain boastful and persevering themes are characterized by images of violence and brutality.[32][36][37][45] Its lyrics are also distinguished by prominent profanity.[36][42] While several music writers perceived its lyrics as allusions to Rihanna's assault by Chris Brown,[46][37][44][47] journalist Jon Pareles wrote that the album "doesn't specifically address those events, but it hardly ignores them".[43] According to music writer Ann Powers, regret is a significant theme on the album: "The songs on 'Rated R' never have their singer apologize for the man who so seriously wronged her, but they do acknowledge the other emotions that come with separation, even from a partner who's also a perpetrator. Those feelings include regret, tenderness and deep sadness".[37]
Release and promotion
On October 15, 2009, Rihanna released a statement along with a picture on her official website saying, "The Wait is Ova. Nov 23 09" which was the release date for Rated R.[48] The following day, Rihanna shot a promotional music video for "Wait Your Turn" which premiered on her official website on November 3, 2009.[49][50] A snippet of the song with the title "The Wait is Ova" also appeared as background music for a promo video of the album as well as an uncommented countdown clock on her website. After the release of the promo video for "Wait Your Turn", producer Mikkel S. Eriksen had confirmed that the song would be released as the second single from Rated R.[51][52] However, it was later announced that "Hard" was chosen instead. On November 5, 2009, Rihanna's first televised interview since her altercation with Chris Brown aired on Good Morning America in support of the album.[53] In addition to appearing on Good Morning America, the interview continued the folllowing day on ABC's 20/20.[54]
In November 2009, Island Def Jam joined forces with Nokia for a special promotional concert held on November 16, 2009 in the United Kingdom.[55] Rihanna shot a promo video for the event which took place at the Brixton Academy in London. She premiered songs from the album during the event which was her first solo concert since allegedly incident with Brown.[55] Nokia had also given away free tickets to fans for the show.[56] In an interview with Nokia, she admitted that she was nervous about the show, commenting: "It's a live stream worldwide, which means everyone can watch it at the same time all over the world, live, all at once, which is exciting".[55] In addition to the show, Nokia hosted listening parties around the globe on the same date of the event.[55] The Nokia Music Store also offered an enhanced version of the album on its release date, with exclusive cover art, a remix and an unnamed exclusive track.[55] Rated R was released on November 23, 2009, in North America and the United Kingdom.[57][58] The album was also made available digitally with two bonus downloads for Nokia Comes With Music subscribers.[59] Rated R: Remixed, a collection of ten remixes by Chew Fu of Rated R's tracks, is set to be released May 25, 2010.[60][61][62] Both a clean and explicit version of the new album will be released.[63][64]
Rihanna appeared in the December 2009 issue of Glamour magazine,[41] the January 2010 issue of GQ magazine,[65] and the February 2010 issue of W magazine.[66] She also appeared and performed on the American Music Awards on November 22, 2009,[67] Good Morning America on November 24, 2009,[68] The X Factor on November 29, 2009, Saturday Night Live on December 5, 2009,[69] BET's 106 & Park on December 10, 2009,[70] The Ellen DeGeneres Show on February 1, 2010[71] and on American Idol on April 7, 2010.[72] On February 4, 2009, she performed at the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam on VH1 along with performers Timbaland and Justin Bieber.[73] Rihanna performed "Hard", "Rude Boy" and "Don't Stop The Music" at the Kids Choice Awards on March 27, 2010.[74]
Artwork
On October 8, 2009, Rihanna was shooting pictures in Berlin in a nude body suit and white fur coat.[75][76] The photos were thought to be on the front cover or booklet of the album.[76] The final image from the photoshoot 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."[77] von Unwerth, who has also shot other album covers such as, The Velvet Rope (1997) by Janet Jackson, Back to Basics (2006) by Christina Aguilera and Blackout (2007) by Britney Spears,[78] went on to say that Rihanna was involved in every aspect of the shoot and was ready to push the boundaries.[77] 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.[78] The black-and-white cover was compared to the outrageous 1980s album covers by singer Grace Jones.[78]
The brand and styling of Rated R was conceived by British artist and director Simon Henwood, the creative director of the campaign.[79] "We talked extensively for months before the album's release, and looked at every aspect of the campaign - from styling to stage ideas and visuals," Henwood revealed in an interview with ArjanWrites.com. "Everything comes from the music, and this is her most personal album to date - so everything draws from it in one way or another."[80] He designed the "R" logo seen on the album cover, which "is a two edge sword [...] One side symbolizes strength and the other vulnerability. I designed it as a 3D object first that changes form in rotation as an animation - It forms the logo shape at the end of the loop."[80] He took inspiraton from the songs and the film The Omega Man.[80] Henwood also conceived the look and feel of the album's artwork, videos and TV spots, and will also contribute to Rihanna's forthcoming tour, including the show's stage design, costumes and background visuals.[80]
Singles
Official singles
- "Russian Roulette" was released as the first single from the album.[81][82] It was released as a digital download in the United States on November 3, 2009. The song debuted at number one hundred in the United States and peaked at number nine, giving Rihanna her twelfth top ten single of her career.[83] The song has reached the top ten in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France and the Republic of Ireland. On January 12, 2010, the single was certified silver in the United Kingdom.[84][85]
- "Hard" was released as the second North American single.[86] It premiered on radio in the United States on November 2, 2009.[87] The song features American rapper Young Jeezy. It reached a peak position of number eight on the Hot 100, giving Rihanna her thirteenth top ten.[88][89] The song also managed to reach number 42 in the United Kingdom.[90][91]
- "Rude Boy" was released as the third North American and second international single from the album. It peaked at number one in the United States, becoming Rihanna's sixth number-one single on the Hot 100 and fourteenth top ten hit of her career. It was also the album's third consecutive top-ten single and highest charting.[92] In addition, it made Rihanna the female artist with the most number one singles on the chart since 2000. It stayed at the top spot for five consecutive weeks. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 52, eventually peaking at number two.[93][94][95] It also reached number-one in Australia, making it Rihanna's fourth number one single.[96]
- "Rockstar 101" featuring Slash is scheduled to be the fourth single from the album, only to be released in the United States.[97] The song was performed on American Idol on April 7, 2010.[98] An official clip of the video was released on May 19, 2010 featuring Rihanna wearing a red fiery wig, a latex bodysuit and a bold striped jacket.The video is expected to premiere on Vevo on Tuesday May 25, 2010[99]
- "Te Amo" will serve as album's fifth international single. It reached number 52 on the Swedish Singles Chart in 2009.[100] On April 18, 2010, the song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 94.[101] and number 29 on the R&B chart.[102] It has currently reached a peak of 19 on the singles chart and seven on the R&B chart
Promo singles
- "Wait Your Turn" was released as a promo single prior to the album's release. On October 16, 2009, Rihanna shot the music video for the song.[50] The song reached number 45 in the United Kingdom, number 32 in Ireland, and number 82 in Australia due to strong digital downloads following the album's release.
Tour
Rihanna began her world tour, The Last Girl on Earth Tour, in Belgium on April 16, 2010 in support of the album. Jamie King serves as the tour director with Simon Henwood as the creative director. There have currently been 60 dates announced. Pixie Lott serves as the support act for the European leg of the tour.[103] The US leg of the tour features Ke$ha. It will begin on July 2, 2010 at the White River Amphitheatre in Seattle visiting 30 other arenas and theatres before concluding at the New York State Fair in Sycruse on August 28, 2010.[104]
Reception
Commercial performance
In the United States, Rated R debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart and sold 181,000 units in its first week, beating her previous album Good Girl Gone Bad's first week sales of 168,000,[105] and making it her highest selling week ever.[106][107] The album was also Rihanna's fourth top ten album in the country and her second highest album chart position.[108] It also topped Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming her first album to top the chart. On January 8, 2010, Rated R was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with an estimated 1,000,000 copies shipped to date.[109][110] The album had sold approximately 815,000 units in the US as of March 31, 2010.[111] So far, all of the singles taken from the album have peaked within the top ten in the U.S., making it Rihanna's first album to do so.
In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number sixteen and was certified gold in just four days.[85] The album has so far shipped at least 300,000 copies and has been certified platinum by British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on January 25, 2010.[85] It is Rihanna's joint-second most successful album in the country, above her first album, Music of the Sun which sold 200,000 copies and joint with her second album, A Girl like Me which sold at least 300,000. On the issue dated January 24, 2010, the album rose to number thirty having been at thirty-four the previous week.[112] The following week, it rose again from number thirty to twenty-seven. On February 21, 2010, the album rose from number thirty-one to number twenty-six, and then climbed even further the following week to its debut and peak of number sixteen.[112] It was also the highest climber that week.[112] On the issue dated March 7, 2010, the album broke into the top ten, landing at number nine in its fifteenth week.[112][113] The following week, the album rose to number two on the R&B chart. It is Rihanna's fastest selling album of her career in the United Kingdom, receiving a platinum certification in just over two months of its release. This beats her previous album, Good Girl Gone Bad, which went platinum in just over three months.[109] Te Amo helped to boost album sales in May, 2010, making the album currently climb to number seventeen.
Despite debuting at only number fifteen in Australia, the album was certified gold its second week on the chart. However, by its fifth week, the album sat at number twenty-nine. In its sixth week, though, the album jumped nine places to number twenty, and with the release of the album's third single, "Rude Boy", Rated R set a new high of twelve on March 7, 2010.[114] In Poland, the album peaked at number five and received a gold certification, selling 20,000 copies in just one month,[115] beating Good Girl Gone Bad's sales of 20,000 in two years.[116] In Sweden, Rated R rose dramatically to a peak position of number nineteen on the issue dated January 29, 2010, after being at thirty-four its previous week.[117] In New Zealand, the album debuted at number fourteen[118] and in Finland it debuted at number twenty-eight eventually climbing to number fifteen.[119][120] As of February 2010, the album has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.[121] In April 2010, the album soared from number fifty-nine to its new peak of eighteen on the Dutch Albums Chart.[122]
Critical response
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [31] |
Entertainment Weekly | (B)[36] |
The Guardian | [123] |
Los Angeles Times | [37] |
The New York Times | (favorable)[43] |
Pitchfork Media | (6.1/10)[32] |
PopMatters | (5/10)[46] |
Rolling Stone | [124] |
Slant Magazine | [44] |
The Village Voice | (mixed)[47] |
Upon its release, Rated R received mostly positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 76/100 from Metacritic.[125] Entertainment Weekly writer Leah Greenblatt gave the album a B rating and called it "a raw, often unsettling portrait of an artist who is, she insists, no longer a Girl at all".[36] Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot gave it 3½ out of 4 stars and called it "powerful and moving art".[126] Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times commended Rihanna for her maturity on Rated R and called it her "best, most layered and most heartfelt effort", giving it 3 out of 4 stars.[42] NME's Ailbhe Malone gave it a rating of 8/10 and described it as "a startlingly masculine record – in sound and in attitude".[127] The Times writer Ed Potton shared a similar sentiment and gave it 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "By turns syrupy and strident, part lament, part tooled-up revenge fantasy, this is the best record Rihanna has made".[39] Despite writing that its theme "weighs the album down with biographical association", Tiny Mix Tapes gave the album 3½ out of 5 stars and called it "a better-than-average pop album".[33] Los Angeles Times writer Ann Powers praised Rihanna's performance and gave the album 4 out of 4 stars, calling it "a complex and fascinating portrait of a young woman's emotional process after enduring abuse".[37] The Boston Globe's Sarah Rodman gave a generally favorable review of the album called it "an interesting snapshot of several current events, including Rihanna’s evolution as a performer and the confluence of tabloid culture and pop art".[128]
Despite commending Rihanna for her vocals, The Guardian's Alexis Petridis gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and viewed its lyrical allusions to her assault by Chris Brown as a weakness, stating "You can see why Rihanna has chosen to litter her album with apparent allusions to the assault: as people are going to read references into the album regardless, you may as well throw them a bone. But there's more to her than the public's prurient interest in her private life. That you can't tell that more often from Rated R is the album's big flaw".[123] Sean Fennessey of Spin gave it 2½ out of 5 stars and perceived that the album does not suit Rihanna's ballad-based strengths, writing that she "has the sort of even-keeled, toneless voice that's rarely expressive enough to convey fury".[129] Pitchfork Media's Ryan Dombal gave it a 6.1/10 rating and viewed its ballads as weaknesses.[32] Emily Tartanella of PopMatters shared a similar sentiment and stated "its attempts at 'serious', and 'thoughtful' songs just wind up falling flat".[46] The Washington Post's Chris Richards wrote that the album "bristles with a formless rage" and viewed Rihanna's performance as impersonal, stating "She dispatches soulful vocal runs with antiseptic precision, making it hard to discern if she's truly seething or just pantomiming ire. Is she grappling with demons? Or projecting the image of a singer grappling with demons?"[45] Michaelangelo Matos of The A.V. Club found its music "turgid" and wrote that its lyrics "are like excerpts from a therapy session".[130] In a mixed review of the album, Rob Harvilla of The Village Voice perceived its subtext relating to her assault by Chris Brown and the incident's media spotlight as having a negative effect on the album, stating "Rated R's low points are pretty bad. But its high points, thrilling as they are, might make you feel even worse".[47]
However, USA Today's Steve Jones viewed Rihanna's incident with Brown and its ensuing media spotlight as an influence in "pushing her further into the edgier territory she staked out on 2007's Good Girl Gone Bad".[131] Jones gave the album 3 out of 4 stars and wrote that "bolder and often explicit lyrics and more assured vocals reflect a growing confidence and artistic maturity".[131] Jon Pareles of The New York Times called Rated R "both brave and skillful" and praised Rihanna for her determination and musicianship.[43] Allmusic's Andy Kellman gave it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "Much of this daring album is absolutely over the top, bleak and sleek both lyrically and sonically, but it’s compelling, filled with as many memorably belligerent lines... as a rap album made ripe for dissection".[31] In a rave review of the album, Digital Spy's Nick Levine gave it 5 out of 5 stars and wrote that "this is the record – startling in vision, startlingly good in execution – that elevates her from popstar to pop artist".[132] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine called it "100-percent grit and grind" and compared it to Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope (1997), perceiving that both albums contain a similar confessional nature and "radiate an unmistakably, nakedly autobiographical vibe".[44] Rolling Stone's Jody Rosen wrote favorably of the album's grim theme and called Rated R "one of the best pop records of the year".[124] Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt named it the best pop album of the year.[133] Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot ranked it number eight on his list of the top albums of 2009.[134]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mad House" | Makeba Riddick, Will Kennard, Saul Milton, Robyn Fenty | Chase & Status | 1:34 |
2. | "Wait Your Turn" | James Fauntleroy II, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Kennard, Milton, Takura Tendayi, Fenty | Chase & Status, StarGate | 3:46 |
3. | "Hard" (featuring Young Jeezy) | Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, Fenty, Jay Jenkins | The-Dream, Tricky Stewart | 4:10 |
4. | "Stupid in Love" | Shaffer Smith, Eriksen, Hermansen | StarGate, Ne-Yo | 4:01 |
5. | "Rockstar 101" (featuring Slash) | Nash, Stewart, Fenty | The-Dream, Tricky Stewart[27] | 3:58 |
6. | "Russian Roulette" | Smith, Chuck Harmon | Chuck Harmony, Ne-Yo | 3:48 |
7. | "Fire Bomb" | Fauntleroy II, Brian Kennedy, Fenty | Brian Kennedy | 4:17 |
8. | "Rude Boy" | Eriksen, Hermansen, Ester Dean, Riddick, Rob Swire, Fenty | StarGate, Rob Swire | 3:43 |
9. | "Photographs" (featuring will.i.am) | William Adams, Jean Baptiste, Michael McHenry, Allan Pineda, Alain Whyte | will.i.am | 4:46 |
10. | "G4L" | Kennard, Milton, Fauntleroy II, Fenty | Chase & Status | 3:59 |
11. | "Te Amo" | Eriksen, Hermansen, Fauntleroy II, Fenty | StarGate | 3:28 |
12. | "Cold Case Love" | Justin Timberlake, Robin Tadross, Fauntleroy II | The Y's | 6:04 |
13. | "The Last Song" | Fauntleroy II, Kennedy, Ben Harrison, Fenty | Brian Kennedy, Ben Harrison | 4:16 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "Russian Roulette" (Donni Hotwheel Remix) | Shaffer Smith, Robyn Fenty | Donni Hotwheel | 3:02 |
15. | "Hole in My Head" (featuring Justin Timberlake) | Fauntleroy II, Fenty, Timberlake | The Y's | 4:06 |
No. | Title | Remix | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mad House" | Chew Fu Straight Jacket Fix | |
2. | "Russian Roulette" | Chew Fu Black Russian Fix | |
3. | "Rockstar 101" (featuring Slash) | Chew Fu Teacher’s Pet Fix | |
4. | "Wait Your Turn" | Chew Fu Can’t Wait No More Fix | |
5. | "Photographs" (featuring will.i.am) | Chew Fu 35mm Fix | |
6. | "Rude Boy" | Chew Fu Bumbaclot Fix | |
7. | "Hard" (featuring Jeezy) | Chew Fu Granite Fix | |
8. | "G4L" | Chew Fu Guns in the Air Fix | |
9. | "Fire Bomb" | Chew Fu Molotov Fix | |
10. | "Stupid in Love" | Chew Fu Small Room Fix |
Personnel
Credits for Rated R adapted from Allmusic.[135]
- Vocals - Robyn Rihanna Fenty
- Executive Producers: Antonio "L.A." Reid, The Carter Administration, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers & Robyn Rihanna Fenty
- Management: Marc Jordan and Christa Shaub
- A&R: Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith, Jay Brown
- Art Direction and Design: Ciarra Pardo, JP Robinson, Simon Henwood, Alex Haldi & Robyn Rihanna Fenty
- Photography: Ellen von Unwerth, JP Robinson, Simon Henwood
- Styling: Mariel Haenn, Robert Zangardi, Simon Henwood
- Featuring vocals: Justin Timberlake, Jeezy, Will.I.Am
- Creative Album & Tour Director: Simon Henwood
- Tour Director: Jamie King
Charts, certifications and procession
Chart positions
|
|
Certifications
Country (2009–2010) | Provider | Certification (sales thresholds) |
---|---|---|
Australia | ARIA | Gold[164] |
Belgium | IFPI | Gold[165] |
France | SNEP | Gold[166] |
Germany | Media Control Charts | Gold[167] |
Ireland | IRMA | Platinum[168] |
Poland | ZPAV | Gold[115] |
Russia | NFPF | Gold[169] |
Switzerland | IFPI | Platinum[170] |
United Kingdom | BPI | Platinum[85] |
United States | RIAA | Platinum[109] |
Chart procession and succession
Release history
|
|
References
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ignored (|author=
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{{cite web}}
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{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "RIHANNA - RATED R (ALBUM)". spanishcharts.com. 2009-12-05. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
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