Loud (Rihanna album)
Encyclopedia
Loud is the fifth studio album
by Barbadian
recording artist Rihanna
, first released on November 12, 2010 by Def Jam Recordings
. The album was recorded between February and August 2010, predominantly during Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth Tour
and filming for her first feature film Battleship
(2012). Rihanna was executive producer on the album and worked with several record producers, including StarGate
, The Runners
, Polow da Don
, Tricky Stewart, and Alex da Kid
, among others. The album featured several guest vocalists, including Drake
, Nicki Minaj
and Eminem
, who is featured on the sequel to "Love the Way You Lie
", "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
", where Rihanna sang lead vocals. Britney Spears
appears on the remix of the single version of "S&M
" , although she is not on the album version.
The album differed from Rihanna's previous release, Rated R
(2009), which featured a prominently foreboding and angry tone with dark themes and incorporated elements of hip hop
, rock
, and dubstep
music genres. Loud features up-tempo and pop
genres, ranging from dance-pop
to electro-R&B
, and marked her return to her dancehall
roots, which was prominent on her earlier albums Music of the Sun
(2005) and A Girl like Me
(2006). The album also incorporates rock
in "California King Bed
" and reggae
in the Caribbean inspired "Man Down
".
Loud received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its upbeat material and Rihanna's vocal performances, with some critics calling it "...brilliantly sassy and exuberant at times" and praised "...the subtle West Indian flavor." However, some critics found the album to be "slapdash" and "...an unfocused assortment of poor-to-solid songs than a unified set." The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200
chart, with first week sales of 207,000 copies, the highest first week sales of her career to date. The album debuted at number one on the Canadian
and Swiss Albums Chart. In the United Kingdom, the album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart
and was the fourth best-selling album of 2010, although it was released at the end of November that year. Loud was a commercial success internationally, and peaked at number one in Canada, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Scotland and Switzerland, and reached the Top 5 Australia, Denmark, France and Germany.
The album produced seven singles, including the international hits "Only Girl (In the World)
", "What's My Name?
", and "S&M". All three singles reached number one on the US Billboard
Hot 100
. "S&M" was Rihanna's tenth US number one song, making Rihanna the youngest recording artist to accumulate ten number one songs in the shortest time, surpassing Mariah Carey
's record. In the United Kingdom "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?" peaked at number one, whilst "S&M" peaked at number three. "Only Girl (In the World)" won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
in February 2011. To support the album, Rihanna embarked on her third worldwide concert tour, entitled the Loud Tour
. On November 30th, the album was nominated for three Grammy Awards
including Album of the Year
.
, Ne-Yo
, one of the producers on Rated R, said that he would not write songs for Rihanna that were about Brown, but that it is normal for Rihanna to have a new, more edgy and angrier style for her next album. The album was commercially successful and spawned five singles, including the international chart topper "Rude Boy
". Six months after releasing Rated R, it transpired that Rihanna was planning a fifth studio album. Rihanna said that her new material will be "...more energetic" than her previous works. StarGate
's Erik Hermansen, said "Rihanna came to us before we started recording "Only Girl (In the World)
" and said ‘I feel great about myself. I want to go back to having fun, I want to make happy and up-tempo records'." Sean Garrett
compared the sound of the new tracks with her previous hit singles "Umbrella
" and "Rude Boy". In an interview for MTV
the vice president of Def Jam Recordings compared the upcoming Rihanna album with Michael Jackson's Thriller
saying, "Rihanna is coming along incredibly. I’m trying to push her to where every song will be a hit from one to 12. I’m talking about NO album fillers. Our bar for this album is Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’."
Recording sessions for Loud began in February 2010, and continued for six months, overlapping with her Last Girl on Earth Tour
and filming during her debut feature film Battleship
(2012). The album was recorded in various recording studios; Burst HQ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, Cahuenga Pass Studio, Larrabee Sound Studios, The Village
, Westlake Recording Studios
, and East West Studios in Los Angeles
, California
, Effigy Studios, Electric Lady Recording Studios, Platinum Sound Recording Studios
, and Roc the Mic Studios in New York City
, New York
, Glenwood Studios in Burbank
, California, No Excuses Recording Studios in Santa Monica
, California, The Hit Factory
and We the Best Studios in Miami, Florida
, Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas
, Nevada
, and The Bunker Studios in Paris
, France
. Singer-songwriters and producers Taio Cruz
, Alex da Kid
, Sean Garrett
, Ne-Yo
, Rico Love
, Timbaland
, Shontelle
, David Guetta
, and Drake
contributed to the album. Rihanna and L.A. Reid assembled a group of songwriters and record producers at several recording studios in Los Angeles for two weeks to write songs for Rihanna; they wrote approximately 200 songs, eleven of which were included on the album. "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love
" was written for Rihanna, but the song was rejected and was subsequently sent to Usher
. With regard to "What's My Name?
", Rihanna thought Drake could understand the melody of the song and invited him to work on the track when she played him the finished recording. The collaboration was originally planned to be the remix, but later it was decided to use the original version. In September 2010, during a webchat with her fansite Rihannadaily.com, Rihanna described how she had completed the album:
During the same webchat, Rihanna announced that the album would be called Loud, saying "get Loud everybody, get crazy, get excited, because I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be me, because that's what you guys love the most, and that's what makes me feel best. Just being normal, normal for me is Loud! Sassy, fun, flirty, energetic." While Rihanna was filming Battleship, she explained in an interview with Entertainment Tonight
, "Loud is, the word, the name of the album definitely reflects the attitude of it, it’s really sassy and flirty and it grabs your attention and that’s why I enjoy it. It takes you through a really really interesting ride. So colorful the album.”
genres, ranging from dance-pop to electro-R&B
, and marks Rihanna's return to her dancehall roots, which was prominent on her earlier releases Music of the Sun
(2005) and A Girl like Me
(2006). In an interview with MTV News
, Rihanna said "I wanted songs that were all Rihanna songs, that nobody else could do. I didn't want the generic pop record that Ke$ha or Lady Gaga
or Katy Perry
could just do and it'll work. I wanted a song, or songs, that were Rihanna songs, that only I could do, had that little West Indian vibe to it, had that certain tone, a certain sass and a certain energy." During the promotion of Loud, Rihanna said that much of the music was born out of frustration. She explained: "When you go to a club and have to listen to bad music you revert to the liquor, because you want to have a good time. I hate having to skip a track. I wanted to make an album you can just play."
song produced by Norwegian producers StarGate and Sandy Vee. The song is reminiscent of Depeche Mode
's 1984 song "Master and Servant
" and contains lyrical thoughts of sadomasochism. Andy Kellman of Allmusic praised "S&M" as one of the better dance-pop
songs from Loud, for efficiently balancing "...Rihanna’s playful and sinister sides", though he wrote that it was not as good as her previous single "Rude Boy
" (2010). James Skinner of BBC Music
criticized the use of sadomasochistic lyrics which he said were not synonymous with the flirtatious appeal that Rihanna was trying to create.
"What's My Name?" was produced by StarGate and features guest vocals from Canadian rapper Drake
. "What's My Name?" is mid-tempo, electro
-R&B
song, and sees Rihanna's return to the "Island-pop" style of her early career with a backing track consisting of heavy reggae. Megan Vick of Billboard
said "As much as 'What's My Name' is a joint effort, Rihanna owns the song by delivering a more polished version of her pop persona."
"Cheers (Drink to That)" was produced by the hip-hop producers The Runners
. Mark Savage from BBC News described the song as a funky, loping guitar groove for to a night out on the town, which Rihanna dedicated to "...all the semi-alcoholics in the world". "Cheers (Drink to That)" contains interpolations Avril Lavigne
's "I'm with You".
"Only Girl (In the World)", the lead single, was the third produced by StarGate. "Only Girl (In the World)" is an up-tempo dance-pop
song that incorporates elements of eurodance
in its production. Brad Wete, a reviewer for The Music Mix at Entertainment Weekly
, described Rihanna's vocals as "...seductive" and reminiscent of a "...stronger, sexier version" of her 2007 single, "Don't Stop the Music
".
"California King Bed
" is a rock ballad, while "Man Down" incorporates a heavy reggae composition. Ryan Dombell from Pitchfork Media
commented that "California King Bed" is a "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
" type power ballad genetically engineered to soundtrack a bi-coastal Kate Hudson
rom-com." Jon Pareless of "New York Times" commented that in "Man Down", Rihanna plays up her West Indian accent in the electro-reggae rhythm song about shooting a man in Central Station
. "California King Bed" and "Cheers (Drink to That)" were produced by The Runners, while "Man Down" was produced by Shama Joseph. "Raining Men
" features rap vocals from Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj
. Rihanna described the song as "...a really fun song. Nothing like the original. It's quite uptempo but kind of quirky and funny." However, Allmusic described the R&B-Dancehall song as a low-point on the album, adding that it sounds unfinished.
"Complicated" was produced by Tricky Stewart
and Ester Dean
. Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly said "Even while telling a recalcitrant man how hard he is to love, she [Rihanna] sounds almost buoyant, her newly expanded vocals eager to scale the song’s high-altitude house beat".
The final track is the sequel to Rihanna's duet with Eminem
, "Love the Way You Lie
". "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
", which was produced by Alex da Kid
, features Rihanna as the protagonist and lead vocalist, viewing aspects of a relationship from a female perspective, unlike the original, which featured Eminem as lead vocalist and was from a male perspective.
, which assigns a normalized
rating out of 100 given to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average
score of 67, based on 22 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". Jon Pareles
of The New York Times
perceived a "...hermetic, cool calculation" on the album, writing that it "...works the pop gizmos as neatly as any album this year, maintaining the Rihanna brand". New York Daily News writer Jim Farber gave the album four out of five stars, noting that it "...seems effortless and free". Entertainment Weekly
s Leah Greenblatt commented that Loud shows Rihanna "...undefeated by her worst circumstances — and finding redemption in exactly the kind of pop nirvana that made her famous in the first place". James Reed of The Boston Globe
called the album "...an unabashed return to where Rihanna belongs: the dance floor" and stated "As if liberating herself from the depths, she’s a force on these 11 songs". Stacey Anderson of Spin
commended Rihanna's "...full, healthy claim to her sexuality" and wrote that the album "...offers a confident female ethos on par with the best of Beyoncé or Shakira
".
BBC Online's James Skinner called Loud "...brilliantly sassy and exuberant at times" and praised Rihanna's vocals for "...elevating it from a hit-and-miss collection into something oddly arresting". Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club
gave Loud a B- rating and commended Rihanna for elevating its generic sound, writing that she "...does sound invigorated, delivering charismatic vocal performances of material that doesn’t always warrant them". Los Angeles Times
writer August Brown called it "...strobe-thumping". Emily Mackay of NME
gave Loud seven out of 10 rating and found that "...Loud’s experiments feel more organic, its tone better paced" than Rated R. Chicago Sun-Times
writer Thomas Conner commented that "...the celebratory atmosphere of Rihanna's sassy new jams are seasoned with some of the darker flavors from Rated R". USA Today
s Steve Jones stated "The edgy music, which leans heavily toward dance and island sounds, fits well with her less than blissful romantic romps". Pitchfork Media
's Ryan Dombal complimented the album's "...effervescent pop" and stated: "Her laissez-faire attitude toward hit-making on Loud can result in too-safe moves or semi-experiments that come off surprisingly great".
However, Andy Kellman of Allmusic found its material to be "slapdash" and "uneven", calling Loud "...more an unfocused assortment of poor-to-solid songs than a unified set". The Phoenix
writer Daniel Brockman gave the album two out of four stars and commented that "...just because it's louder [stylistically] doesn't mean there's more to hear". The Washington Post
s Chris Richards commented that Rihanna's performance lacks depth and called the album "...largely forgettable". Andy Gill of The Independent
noted that "...the more interesting tracks are those with less salacious demands on her vulnerability". Despite noting some flaws in its production, Slant Magazine
's Sal Cinquemani commended "...the subtle West Indian flavor with which Rihanna and company have smartly imbued" on most of the album and stated "Rihanna has always had trouble fitting into one genre ... and for better or worse, Rihanna continues to stylistically branch out on Loud". Hugh Montgomery of The Observer
commented that "Sonically, it's fairly unremarkable ... but its strident buoyancy is difficult to resist". Rolling Stone
writer Melissa Maerz called Rihanna "serene" and concluded "Maybe the good girl gone bad is getting better?".
chart, with first-week sales of 207,000 copies in the United States, giving Rihanna her highest first-week sales in the US. It also debuted at number one on Billboard
s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In its second week, the album dropped to number six on the Billboard 200 and sold 141,000 copies. By its thirteenth week, the album returned to its peak at number three and sold 62,000 copies. However, in its fourteenth week, the album dipped to number ten on the Billboard 200 with 45,000 copies sold. In its fifteenth week, Loud rose to number eight, selling an additional 33,000 copies in the US. By July 3, 2011, Loud was the 11th best-selling album of 2011 in the United States, selling 598,000 copies between January 1, 2011 and July 3, 2011. As of November 27, 2011, the album had sold 1,547,300 copies in the United States. On January 25, 2011, Loud was certified Platinum in the United States, denoting sales of over one million.
Loud was a commercial success internationally. In Canada, it debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart
, selling 27,000 copies in its first week. Loud sold more than 80,000 units in Canada, achieving platinum status by the first week of December 2010. By January 5, 2011, Loud has sold more than 130,000 copies in Canada. In France, the album debuted at number three with first week sales of 17,304 copies. By its sixth week on the French Charts, Loud achieved platinum status, reaching the 100,000 copies mark. In its second week on the Australian Albums Chart, Loud certified Platinum for sales of over 70,000 copies. In Italy, the album became Rihanna's highest peaking chart position at number eleven. It was her third consecutive number one album in Switzerland. Loud debuted at number two on the German Albums Chart. The album debuted at number two in the United Kingdom, with first week sales of 91,000 units. In its seventh week on the chart, Loud reached number one, giving Rihanna her second UK number-one album. After seven weeks of sales, the album became the fourth best-selling album of 2010 in the UK. The album had sold 1,500,000 copies in the United Kingdom by September 4, 2011. By July 8, 2011, Loud was certified five-times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
(BPI), marking shipments of 1.5 million copies to retailers. As of October 2011, the album has sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
and rhythmic
radio on September 21, 2010. It received positive reviews from music critics, especially for its chorus and thunderous dance beats. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard
Hot 100
chart, in the UK, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Ireland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and Slovakia, becoming one of her best charting songs to date. At the 53rd Grammy Awards
, held at the Staples Center
in Los Angeles
on February 13, 2011, "Only Girl (In the World)" won the award for Best Dance Recording
.
"What's My Name?", which features guest vocals by Canadian recording artist Drake
was released as the album's second single, being sent to US mainstream
and rhythmic
radios on September 21, 2010. It was released as a digital download on October 29, 2010 in some European markets and in the US on November 1, 2010. Music critics praised the song as some of Rihanna's best vocal work to date, the romantic nature of the song and its sexual tones. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100
chart, giving Rihanna her eighth number-one on the chart, whilst "Only Girl (In the World)" became her ninth number-one hit two weeks after "What's My Name?", making it the first time in the history of the chart that an album's first single peaked at number one after the second. It reached number one in the United Kingdom and became Rihanna's fifth UK number one single and Drake's first.
The collaboration with Nicki Minaj
, "Raining Men", was released to urban
radio on December 7, 2010 as an urban radio single and third track from Loud released as a single in the US. It was re-released to urban radio on January 25, 2011. "Raining Men" peaked at number forty-eight on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Raining Men" received mixed reviews from critics who praised the chemistry between Rihanna and Minaj but criticised the song for failing to create anything new or original. "S&M", the album's fourth US single and third international single, was released to US mainstream radio on January 25, 2011. Reception of "S&M" was mixed; some reviewers criticized the overt use of sexual lyrics while others noted it as a stand-out track from Loud. "S&M" was remixed by several notable DJs. One remix features guest vocals by Britney Spears
, which was released digitally on April 11, 2011. "S&M" reached the top ten in twenty-four countries, reaching number one in Australia, Canada and on the US Hot 100
chart "S&M" became Rihanna's tenth number one song on the chart, making her the youngest recording artist to have accumulated ten number one songs in the shortest amount of time, surpassing Mariah Carey
's record.
"California King Bed" was released as the fourth international single on May 13, 2011, and as the sixth US single. It was sent to US Hot/Modern adult contemporary radio
on May 16, 2011. Critics praised Rihanna's vocal performance, whilst some called it a powerful ballad, comparing it to Aerosmith
's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
". The song peaked at number four in Australia and New Zealand, number eight on the UK Singles Chart
and thirty-seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Man Down" was released as the fifth international single in some European countries in July 2011 and was released to US rhythmic and urban radios on May 3, 2011. "Man Down" received positive reviews from critics, who called it a return to Rihanna's Caribbean-tinged rhythm. Before its official release, the song debuted on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number eighty-four on April 9, 2011 and peaked at number nine. "Man Down" also reached a peak of fifty-nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was released to digital outlets in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland on July 11, 2011 as the fifth international single from Loud. In France, it peaked at number one for five consecutive weeks.
On July 24, 2011, Rihanna announced the release of "Cheers (Drink to That)" as the seventh single from the album. The single was released to US mainstream and rhythmic radio on August 2, 2011. The song peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number twelve on the US Pop Songs
chart.
", which features guest vocals from American rapper Eminem
, debuted and peaked at number nineteen on the Canadian Hot 100
. The song is sequel to "Love the Way You Lie", and features Rihanna as the main vocalist. It received positive reviews from music critics, some noting Rihanna's commanding vocals. Rihanna performed the song live for the first time as part of a medley with "What's My Name?" and "Only Girl (In the World)" at the American Music Awards of 2010
on November 21, 2010 and again at the 53rd Grammy Awards
on February 13, 2011 as part of a medley with "I Need a Doctor
" performed by Eminem, Dr. Dre
, Adam Levine
from Maroon 5
, and Skylar Grey.
, the MP3 download of Loud on street date
and all the features of the Couture Edition. The Ultra Couture Edition sold out and is no longer available. An explicit version of Loud was also released and features a Parental Advisory
label due to some of the lyrical content. The Japanese edition of the album was released with two additional remixes of Only Girl (In the World). The piano version of Love the Way You Lie (Part II) was only available with the iTunes
edition of the album. However, the version which features Eminem
was available to buy.
on October 30, 2010. Rihanna also debuted her second single, "What's My Name?" on the show. The following day in the United Kingdom, Rihanna sang "What's My Name?" on series seven
of The X Factor
.
Rihanna performed "Only Girl (In the World)" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010
in Madrid, Spain, on November 7, 2010, on The X Factor
in Italy
on November 9, 2010, and on Le Grand Journal
in France
on November 10, 2010. On November 11, 2010, Rihanna appeared on a pre-recorded edition of The Graham Norton Show
in the United Kingdom, where she gave an interview and sang "Only Girl (In the World)". On November 15, before the album's US release, Rihanna reprised her performance of "What's My Name?" for MTV
's The Seven, live from Times Square
, New York
. The next day, Rihanna performed "What's My Name?" on The Late Show with David Letterman.
On November 17, 2010, Rihanna was interviewed and performed "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?" on Good Morning America
. Rihanna performed a medley of "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)", "What's My Name?" and "Only Girl (In the World)" at the American Music Awards of 2010
on November 21, 2010, where she won the award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
. Rihanna opened with an acappella version of "Love The Way You Lie Part II".
On December 11, 2010, Rihanna returned to series seven
of the UK's The X Factor, to perform "Unfaithful
" with finalist Matt Cardle
and a solo performance of "What's My Name?". The finale was watched by fifteen million viewers, but attracted thousands of complaints about Rihanna's choice of outfit and sexual performance. Rihanna performed the song with Drake
for the first time at the 53rd Grammy Awards
on February 13, 2011. Rihanna also appeared at the 2011 BRIT Awards
on February 15, 2011, where she performed "S&M" for the first time, as a medley with "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?". Rihanna was requested to "tone down" her performance of "S&M" by the show's producers, and she performed only one verse and chorus in between "Only Girl (In The World)" and "What's My Name?". The BRIT Awards corporation wanted to avoid receiving complaints similar to those received by X-Factor. Rihanna was a special guest at the NBA All Star Game on February 20, 2011, where she performed a medley of "Umbrella
", "Only Girl (In the World)", "Rude Boy
", "What's My Name?" (with Drake) and "All of the Lights
" (with Kanye West
).
Rihanna performed "California King Bed" for first time in a country style, with Sugarland front woman Jennifer Nettles
, during the ACM Awards held by Academy of Country Music
on April 3, 2011. She was a guest on the tenth season
of US series American Idol
, on April 14, 2011, where she performed "California King Bed". Rihanna promoted "California King Bed" with performances in Milan, Paris and Hamburg, because Rihanna was appointed ambassador for Nivea
skincare. Rihanna opened the Billboard Music Awards, performing the remix of "S&M" with Britney Spears on May 22, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The performance attracted complaints about the overt sexual nature of broadcast on a publicly-owned television channel. Rihanna performed on NBC
's Today show on May 27, 2011 as part of a Summer Concert Series. She performed "S&M", "Only Girl (In the World)", "What's My Name?" and "California King Bed".
. Rihanna was interviewed by Ryan Seacrest
on American Idol, and talked about the design of the stage, stating: "We've just designed the stage and we have a section that we are building... where the fans can actually be in the show and in the stage and be closer than they've ever been. It's real VIP." The North American leg of the tour began on June 4, 2011 in Baltimore
, United States
. Originally, J. Cole and Cee Lo Green were planned as support acts for the North American leg. However, Green left the tour citing schedule conflicts. Rappers Drake
, Kanye West
and Jay-Z
made guest appearances on some dates to perform their collaborations "What's My Name?", "Run This Town
", "All of the Lights" and "Umbrella", respectively.
On July 8, 2011 in Dallas, Texas, a fire broke out after Rihanna performed "California King Bed". The audience was evacuated and the concert was forced to end early. Rihanna performed one show in Barbados and four in Brazil, before the European part of the tour, which began on September 29, 2011, in Belfast. The tour has gained critical acclaim, some calling it "Rihanna's best tour yet". Jane Stevenson of the Toronto Sun
commented that "...the two-hour, larger-than-life show lived up to the billing." Jon Brean of the Minneapolis "Star Tribune
" remarked, "The Barbadian singer is more visually and vocally dynamic than she has ever been before."
Loud (Couture edition) [CD+DVD]
Loud (Deluxe edition) [CD + DVD]
iTunes version
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Barbadian
Barbadian people
Barbadians are people originating on the Caribbean island of Barbados whether they live there or in the Barbadian diaspora.Rihanna is by far the most popular Barbadian on the planet.-Diaspora:...
recording artist Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, first released on November 12, 2010 by Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
. The album was recorded between February and August 2010, predominantly during Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth Tour
Last Girl on Earth Tour
The Last Girl on Earth Tour was the third concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. Visiting Europe, Asia, North America and Australia, the tour supported her fourth studio album, Rated R . The tour was announced through MTV News in December 2009...
and filming for her first feature film Battleship
Battleship (film)
Battleship is an upcoming 2012 science fiction naval war film based on the game of the same name. The film is being directed by Peter Berg and will be released by Universal Pictures...
(2012). Rihanna was executive producer on the album and worked with several record producers, including StarGate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, The Runners
The Runners
The Runners is a hip hop production duo from Orlando, Florida, consisting of Andrew "Dru Brett" Harr and Jermaine "Mayne Zayne" Jackson. They came together to form the team in 2000, but they have known each other since they were in kindergarten. They are best known for producing the hit singles "Go...
, Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
, Tricky Stewart, and Alex da Kid
Alex da Kid
Alexander Grant , better known as Alex da Kid, is a Grammy award winning English music songwriter and hip-hop producer.-Early life:...
, among others. The album featured several guest vocalists, including Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
, Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
and Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, who is featured on the sequel to "Love the Way You Lie
Love the Way You Lie
"Love the Way You Lie" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his seventh studio album, Recovery . It was released as the album's second single on August 9, 2010, by Interscope-Geffen-A&M. The song features vocals by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. According to her, its theme...
", "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
"Love the Way You Lie " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud. It features guest vocals from American rapper Eminem. The song was written by Eminem, Skylar Grey and Alex da Kid, the latter of whom produced the song...
", where Rihanna sang lead vocals. Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
appears on the remix of the single version of "S&M
S&M (song)
"S&M" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Corey Jackson Carter, Sandy Wilhelm and Ester Dean, with production helmed by Eriksen and Hermansen of Stargate and Sandy Wilhelm under her...
" , although she is not on the album version.
The album differed from Rihanna's previous release, Rated R
Rated R (Rihanna album)
Rated R is the fourth studio album by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, first released November 20, 2009, on Def Jam Recordings. The album is a musical distance from her previous effort Good Girl Gone Bad , which contained up-tempo and ballad-oriented songs, and it heavily incorporated pop and...
(2009), which featured a prominently foreboding and angry tone with dark themes and incorporated elements of hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, and dubstep
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in south London, England. Its overall sound has been described as "tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals"....
music genres. Loud features up-tempo and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
genres, ranging from dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
to electro-R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
, and marked her return to her dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
roots, which was prominent on her earlier albums Music of the Sun
Music of the Sun
Music of the Sun is the debut album of Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna, released August 26, 2005 on Def Jam Recordings. Rihanna worked with several producers for the album, mainly Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers who produced and penned most of the tracks on the album. It features guest contributions by...
(2005) and A Girl like Me
A Girl Like Me (Rihanna album)
A Girl like Me is the second studio album by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna. It was released through Def Jam Recordings on April 19, 2006 in Japan, on April 24 in the United Kingdom, and on April 25 in the United States. For the production of the album, Rihanna worked with Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken,...
(2006). The album also incorporates rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
in "California King Bed
California King Bed
"California King Bed" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's fifth single on May 13, 2011 through Def Jam. The song was written by Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Priscilla Renea and Alex Delicata, and was...
" and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
in the Caribbean inspired "Man Down
Man Down
"Man Down" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fifth studio album Loud . The song was sent to US rhythmic and urban radios on May 3, 2011 and was released as the album's sixth overall single in the United States as well as in certain countries internationally...
".
Loud received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its upbeat material and Rihanna's vocal performances, with some critics calling it "...brilliantly sassy and exuberant at times" and praised "...the subtle West Indian flavor." However, some critics found the album to be "slapdash" and "...an unfocused assortment of poor-to-solid songs than a unified set." The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart, with first week sales of 207,000 copies, the highest first week sales of her career to date. The album debuted at number one on the Canadian
Canadian Albums Chart
The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS...
and Swiss Albums Chart. In the United Kingdom, the album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
and was the fourth best-selling album of 2010, although it was released at the end of November that year. Loud was a commercial success internationally, and peaked at number one in Canada, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Scotland and Switzerland, and reached the Top 5 Australia, Denmark, France and Germany.
The album produced seven singles, including the international hits "Only Girl (In the World)
Only Girl (In the World)
"Only Girl " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's lead single on September 10, 2010 through Def Jam. It was written by Crystal Johnson, Norwegian production duo Stargate and Sandy Vee, and produced by Stargate and Vee...
", "What's My Name?
What's My Name? (Rihanna song)
"What's My Name?" is mid-tempo electro-R&B song, produced by Norwegian producers, StarGate, who return Rihanna to the "Island-pop" of her early career with a backing track consisting of "heavy reggae" and ska beats with synthesised organs. Bill Lamb from About.com noted that before Rihanna's vocals...
", and "S&M". All three singles reached number one on the US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. "S&M" was Rihanna's tenth US number one song, making Rihanna the youngest recording artist to accumulate ten number one songs in the shortest time, surpassing Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
's record. In the United Kingdom "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?" peaked at number one, whilst "S&M" peaked at number three. "Only Girl (In the World)" won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
The Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music genre...
in February 2011. To support the album, Rihanna embarked on her third worldwide concert tour, entitled the Loud Tour
Loud Tour
The Loud Tour is the fourth concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. Performing in over twenty countries in the Americas and Europe, the tour supports Rihanna’s fifth studio album, Loud...
. On November 30th, the album was nominated for three Grammy Awards
54th Grammy Awards
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a...
including Album of the Year
Grammy Award for Album of the Year
The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer...
.
Background and recording
In an interview for MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, one of the producers on Rated R, said that he would not write songs for Rihanna that were about Brown, but that it is normal for Rihanna to have a new, more edgy and angrier style for her next album. The album was commercially successful and spawned five singles, including the international chart topper "Rude Boy
Rude Boy (song)
"Rude Boy" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fourth studio album, Rated R . The song was released as the third single from the album on February 19, 2010, through Def Jam. It was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Ester Dean, Makeba Riddick, Rob Swire...
". Six months after releasing Rated R, it transpired that Rihanna was planning a fifth studio album. Rihanna said that her new material will be "...more energetic" than her previous works. StarGate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
's Erik Hermansen, said "Rihanna came to us before we started recording "Only Girl (In the World)
Only Girl (In the World)
"Only Girl " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's lead single on September 10, 2010 through Def Jam. It was written by Crystal Johnson, Norwegian production duo Stargate and Sandy Vee, and produced by Stargate and Vee...
" and said ‘I feel great about myself. I want to go back to having fun, I want to make happy and up-tempo records'." Sean Garrett
Sean Garrett
Garrett Hamler, better known by his stage name Sean Garrett is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. He has produced fifteen number one singles in only seven years of producing music. That number puts him in fifth place on the Billboard list of producers with the most number...
compared the sound of the new tracks with her previous hit singles "Umbrella
Umbrella (song)
"Umbrella" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song was written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad...
" and "Rude Boy". In an interview for MTV
MTV (UK and Ireland)
MTV is a 24-hour general entertainment channel operated by Viacom International Media Networks.The channel was launched as part of MTV Networks Europe localization strategy in 1997. MTV UK was launched on 1 July 1997. The channel was set up to provide audiences with local artists and more relevant...
the vice president of Def Jam Recordings compared the upcoming Rihanna album with Michael Jackson's Thriller
Thriller (album)
Thriller is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall...
saying, "Rihanna is coming along incredibly. I’m trying to push her to where every song will be a hit from one to 12. I’m talking about NO album fillers. Our bar for this album is Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’."
Recording sessions for Loud began in February 2010, and continued for six months, overlapping with her Last Girl on Earth Tour
Last Girl on Earth Tour
The Last Girl on Earth Tour was the third concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. Visiting Europe, Asia, North America and Australia, the tour supported her fourth studio album, Rated R . The tour was announced through MTV News in December 2009...
and filming during her debut feature film Battleship
Battleship (film)
Battleship is an upcoming 2012 science fiction naval war film based on the game of the same name. The film is being directed by Peter Berg and will be released by Universal Pictures...
(2012). The album was recorded in various recording studios; Burst HQ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, Cahuenga Pass Studio, Larrabee Sound Studios, The Village
The Village (studio)
The Village is a famous recording studio in Los Angeles, California.Since the 1960s, The Village has been the home to recordings by artists such as Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers, The Beach Boys, Mariah Carey, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Alice Cooper, Elvis Costello, The Doors, Bob...
, Westlake Recording Studios
Westlake Recording Studios
Westlake Recording Studios is a well-known music recording studio in West Hollywood, CA.-History:The studio was founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s by Tom Hidley, and is credited as "one of the first big commercial efforts to produce acoustically standardised 'interchangeable' rooms"...
, and East West Studios in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Effigy Studios, Electric Lady Recording Studios, Platinum Sound Recording Studios
Platinum Sound Recording Studios
Platinum Sound Recording Studios is a boutique recording studio in Manhattan, New York City, located on restaurant row in the theater district. Founded in 2000 by multi-platinum record producers, the studio is one of the leading luxury commercial recording studios -Platinum albums and singles:*The...
, and Roc the Mic Studios in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Glenwood Studios in Burbank
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, California, No Excuses Recording Studios in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
, California, The Hit Factory
The Hit Factory
The Hit Factory was a recording studio in New York City famous for its clientele. It was officially closed for business April 1, 2005 whereas other Hit Factory studio locations remained open, such as in Miami, Florida.-History:...
and We the Best Studios in Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, and The Bunker Studios in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Singer-songwriters and producers Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz is a British singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the UK and earned him a MOBO Award nomination...
, Alex da Kid
Alex da Kid
Alexander Grant , better known as Alex da Kid, is a Grammy award winning English music songwriter and hip-hop producer.-Early life:...
, Sean Garrett
Sean Garrett
Garrett Hamler, better known by his stage name Sean Garrett is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. He has produced fifteen number one singles in only seven years of producing music. That number puts him in fifth place on the Billboard list of producers with the most number...
, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Rico Love
Rico Love
Richard Preston Butler, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Love wrote and produced hit records such as Usher’s "There Goes My Baby" and "Hey Daddy ”, Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", Beyoncé Knowles' "Sweet Dreams"...
, Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, Shontelle
Shontelle
Shontelle Layne , known professionally as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer, and songwriter. She released her debut album Shontelligence in November 2008. Her sophomore album, No Gravity, was released in September 2010...
, David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
, and Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
contributed to the album. Rihanna and L.A. Reid assembled a group of songwriters and record producers at several recording studios in Los Angeles for two weeks to write songs for Rihanna; they wrote approximately 200 songs, eleven of which were included on the album. "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love
DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love
"DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" is a song by recording artist Usher and features guest vocals from American rapper Pitbull. It was written by Savan Kotecha, Pitbull, Shellback and Max Martin, with the latter two producing it. It is the first single from Usher's EP, Versus...
" was written for Rihanna, but the song was rejected and was subsequently sent to Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
. With regard to "What's My Name?
What's My Name? (Rihanna song)
"What's My Name?" is mid-tempo electro-R&B song, produced by Norwegian producers, StarGate, who return Rihanna to the "Island-pop" of her early career with a backing track consisting of "heavy reggae" and ska beats with synthesised organs. Bill Lamb from About.com noted that before Rihanna's vocals...
", Rihanna thought Drake could understand the melody of the song and invited him to work on the track when she played him the finished recording. The collaboration was originally planned to be the remix, but later it was decided to use the original version. In September 2010, during a webchat with her fansite Rihannadaily.com, Rihanna described how she had completed the album:
During the same webchat, Rihanna announced that the album would be called Loud, saying "get Loud everybody, get crazy, get excited, because I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be me, because that's what you guys love the most, and that's what makes me feel best. Just being normal, normal for me is Loud! Sassy, fun, flirty, energetic." While Rihanna was filming Battleship, she explained in an interview with Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, "Loud is, the word, the name of the album definitely reflects the attitude of it, it’s really sassy and flirty and it grabs your attention and that’s why I enjoy it. It takes you through a really really interesting ride. So colorful the album.”
Composition
Influence and sound
Loud incorporates up-tempo and popPop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
genres, ranging from dance-pop to electro-R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
, and marks Rihanna's return to her dancehall roots, which was prominent on her earlier releases Music of the Sun
Music of the Sun
Music of the Sun is the debut album of Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna, released August 26, 2005 on Def Jam Recordings. Rihanna worked with several producers for the album, mainly Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers who produced and penned most of the tracks on the album. It features guest contributions by...
(2005) and A Girl like Me
A Girl Like Me (Rihanna album)
A Girl like Me is the second studio album by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna. It was released through Def Jam Recordings on April 19, 2006 in Japan, on April 24 in the United Kingdom, and on April 25 in the United States. For the production of the album, Rihanna worked with Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken,...
(2006). In an interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, Rihanna said "I wanted songs that were all Rihanna songs, that nobody else could do. I didn't want the generic pop record that Ke$ha or Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
or Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
could just do and it'll work. I wanted a song, or songs, that were Rihanna songs, that only I could do, had that little West Indian vibe to it, had that certain tone, a certain sass and a certain energy." During the promotion of Loud, Rihanna said that much of the music was born out of frustration. She explained: "When you go to a club and have to listen to bad music you revert to the liquor, because you want to have a good time. I hate having to skip a track. I wanted to make an album you can just play."
Songs and lyrics
The opening track on the album, "S&M", is an up-tempo EurodanceEurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
song produced by Norwegian producers StarGate and Sandy Vee. The song is reminiscent of Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
's 1984 song "Master and Servant
Master and Servant
"Master and Servant" is Depeche Mode's eleventh UK single and the second single from the Some Great Reward album...
" and contains lyrical thoughts of sadomasochism. Andy Kellman of Allmusic praised "S&M" as one of the better dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
songs from Loud, for efficiently balancing "...Rihanna’s playful and sinister sides", though he wrote that it was not as good as her previous single "Rude Boy
Rude Boy (song)
"Rude Boy" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fourth studio album, Rated R . The song was released as the third single from the album on February 19, 2010, through Def Jam. It was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Ester Dean, Makeba Riddick, Rob Swire...
" (2010). James Skinner of BBC Music
BBC Music
BBC Music is a team working in the department of Audio and Music Interactive at the BBC. Responsible for the BBC Music website - the portal site to music content across the BBC website....
criticized the use of sadomasochistic lyrics which he said were not synonymous with the flirtatious appeal that Rihanna was trying to create.
"What's My Name?" was produced by StarGate and features guest vocals from Canadian rapper Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
. "What's My Name?" is mid-tempo, electro
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
-R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
song, and sees Rihanna's return to the "Island-pop" style of her early career with a backing track consisting of heavy reggae. Megan Vick of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
said "As much as 'What's My Name' is a joint effort, Rihanna owns the song by delivering a more polished version of her pop persona."
"Cheers (Drink to That)" was produced by the hip-hop producers The Runners
The Runners
The Runners is a hip hop production duo from Orlando, Florida, consisting of Andrew "Dru Brett" Harr and Jermaine "Mayne Zayne" Jackson. They came together to form the team in 2000, but they have known each other since they were in kindergarten. They are best known for producing the hit singles "Go...
. Mark Savage from BBC News described the song as a funky, loping guitar groove for to a night out on the town, which Rihanna dedicated to "...all the semi-alcoholics in the world". "Cheers (Drink to That)" contains interpolations Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
's "I'm with You".
"Only Girl (In the World)", the lead single, was the third produced by StarGate. "Only Girl (In the World)" is an up-tempo dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
song that incorporates elements of eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
in its production. Brad Wete, a reviewer for The Music Mix at Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, described Rihanna's vocals as "...seductive" and reminiscent of a "...stronger, sexier version" of her 2007 single, "Don't Stop the Music
Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna song)
"Don't Stop the Music" is a dance-pop song performed by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna from her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad. It was the third single from the album in most of Europe, the second single in Germany and Spain and the fourth single in the rest of the world...
".
"California King Bed
California King Bed
"California King Bed" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's fifth single on May 13, 2011 through Def Jam. The song was written by Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Priscilla Renea and Alex Delicata, and was...
" is a rock ballad, while "Man Down" incorporates a heavy reggae composition. Ryan Dombell from Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
commented that "California King Bed" is a "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song performed by American rock band Aerosmith for the 1998 film Armageddon. Written by Diane Warren, the song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . The song stayed at number one for four weeks from September 5 to September 26, 1998...
" type power ballad genetically engineered to soundtrack a bi-coastal Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson
Kate Garry Hudson is an American actress. She came to prominence in 2001 after winning a Golden Globe and receiving several nominations, including a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Almost Famous. She then starred in the hit film How to Lose a Guy in 10...
rom-com." Jon Pareless of "New York Times" commented that in "Man Down", Rihanna plays up her West Indian accent in the electro-reggae rhythm song about shooting a man in Central Station
Central Station
-Railway stations:A central station is generally the principal passenger railway station of major towns and cities which have multiple stations, or a station owned by a railway with "Central" in its name, such as the English Great Central Railway....
. "California King Bed" and "Cheers (Drink to That)" were produced by The Runners, while "Man Down" was produced by Shama Joseph. "Raining Men
Raining Men (song)
"Raining Men" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fifth studio album Loud . The song was solicited to urban radio on December 7, 2010, as the third single from Loud in the United States. The up-tempo record features rap vocals from Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj...
" features rap vocals from Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
. Rihanna described the song as "...a really fun song. Nothing like the original. It's quite uptempo but kind of quirky and funny." However, Allmusic described the R&B-Dancehall song as a low-point on the album, adding that it sounds unfinished.
"Complicated" was produced by Tricky Stewart
Christopher Stewart (music producer)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
and Ester Dean
Ester Dean
Ester Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
. Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly said "Even while telling a recalcitrant man how hard he is to love, she [Rihanna] sounds almost buoyant, her newly expanded vocals eager to scale the song’s high-altitude house beat".
The final track is the sequel to Rihanna's duet with Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, "Love the Way You Lie
Love the Way You Lie
"Love the Way You Lie" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his seventh studio album, Recovery . It was released as the album's second single on August 9, 2010, by Interscope-Geffen-A&M. The song features vocals by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. According to her, its theme...
". "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
"Love the Way You Lie " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud. It features guest vocals from American rapper Eminem. The song was written by Eminem, Skylar Grey and Alex da Kid, the latter of whom produced the song...
", which was produced by Alex da Kid
Alex da Kid
Alexander Grant , better known as Alex da Kid, is a Grammy award winning English music songwriter and hip-hop producer.-Early life:...
, features Rihanna as the protagonist and lead vocalist, viewing aspects of a relationship from a female perspective, unlike the original, which featured Eminem as lead vocalist and was from a male perspective.
Critical reception
Loud received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, which assigns a normalized
Standard score
In statistics, a standard score indicates how many standard deviations an observation or datum is above or below the mean. It is a dimensionless quantity derived by subtracting the population mean from an individual raw score and then dividing the difference by the population standard deviation...
rating out of 100 given to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average
Weighted mean
The weighted mean is similar to an arithmetic mean , where instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others...
score of 67, based on 22 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles is an American journalist who is the chief popular music critic in the arts section of the New York Times. He played jazz flute and piano, and graduated from Yale University with a degree in music. In the 1970s he was an associate editor of Crawdaddy!, and in the 1980s an associate...
of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
perceived a "...hermetic, cool calculation" on the album, writing that it "...works the pop gizmos as neatly as any album this year, maintaining the Rihanna brand". New York Daily News writer Jim Farber gave the album four out of five stars, noting that it "...seems effortless and free". Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
s Leah Greenblatt commented that Loud shows Rihanna "...undefeated by her worst circumstances — and finding redemption in exactly the kind of pop nirvana that made her famous in the first place". James Reed of The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
called the album "...an unabashed return to where Rihanna belongs: the dance floor" and stated "As if liberating herself from the depths, she’s a force on these 11 songs". Stacey Anderson of Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
commended Rihanna's "...full, healthy claim to her sexuality" and wrote that the album "...offers a confident female ethos on par with the best of Beyoncé or Shakira
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
".
BBC Online's James Skinner called Loud "...brilliantly sassy and exuberant at times" and praised Rihanna's vocals for "...elevating it from a hit-and-miss collection into something oddly arresting". Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
gave Loud a B- rating and commended Rihanna for elevating its generic sound, writing that she "...does sound invigorated, delivering charismatic vocal performances of material that doesn’t always warrant them". Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
writer August Brown called it "...strobe-thumping". Emily Mackay of NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
gave Loud seven out of 10 rating and found that "...Loud’s experiments feel more organic, its tone better paced" than Rated R. Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
writer Thomas Conner commented that "...the celebratory atmosphere of Rihanna's sassy new jams are seasoned with some of the darker flavors from Rated R". USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
s Steve Jones stated "The edgy music, which leans heavily toward dance and island sounds, fits well with her less than blissful romantic romps". Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's Ryan Dombal complimented the album's "...effervescent pop" and stated: "Her laissez-faire attitude toward hit-making on Loud can result in too-safe moves or semi-experiments that come off surprisingly great".
However, Andy Kellman of Allmusic found its material to be "slapdash" and "uneven", calling Loud "...more an unfocused assortment of poor-to-solid songs than a unified set". The Phoenix
The Phoenix (newspaper)
The Phoenix is the name of several alternative weekly newspapers published in the United States by Phoenix Media/Communications Group of Boston, Massachusetts including the Boston Phoenix, the Providence Phoenix, the Portland Phoenix and the now-defunct Worcester Phoenix...
writer Daniel Brockman gave the album two out of four stars and commented that "...just because it's louder [stylistically] doesn't mean there's more to hear". The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
s Chris Richards commented that Rihanna's performance lacks depth and called the album "...largely forgettable". Andy Gill of The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
noted that "...the more interesting tracks are those with less salacious demands on her vulnerability". Despite noting some flaws in its production, Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
's Sal Cinquemani commended "...the subtle West Indian flavor with which Rihanna and company have smartly imbued" on most of the album and stated "Rihanna has always had trouble fitting into one genre ... and for better or worse, Rihanna continues to stylistically branch out on Loud". Hugh Montgomery of The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
commented that "Sonically, it's fairly unremarkable ... but its strident buoyancy is difficult to resist". Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
writer Melissa Maerz called Rihanna "serene" and concluded "Maybe the good girl gone bad is getting better?".
Commercial performance
Loud debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart, with first-week sales of 207,000 copies in the United States, giving Rihanna her highest first-week sales in the US. It also debuted at number one on Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In its second week, the album dropped to number six on the Billboard 200 and sold 141,000 copies. By its thirteenth week, the album returned to its peak at number three and sold 62,000 copies. However, in its fourteenth week, the album dipped to number ten on the Billboard 200 with 45,000 copies sold. In its fifteenth week, Loud rose to number eight, selling an additional 33,000 copies in the US. By July 3, 2011, Loud was the 11th best-selling album of 2011 in the United States, selling 598,000 copies between January 1, 2011 and July 3, 2011. As of November 27, 2011, the album had sold 1,547,300 copies in the United States. On January 25, 2011, Loud was certified Platinum in the United States, denoting sales of over one million.
Loud was a commercial success internationally. In Canada, it debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart
Canadian Albums Chart
The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS...
, selling 27,000 copies in its first week. Loud sold more than 80,000 units in Canada, achieving platinum status by the first week of December 2010. By January 5, 2011, Loud has sold more than 130,000 copies in Canada. In France, the album debuted at number three with first week sales of 17,304 copies. By its sixth week on the French Charts, Loud achieved platinum status, reaching the 100,000 copies mark. In its second week on the Australian Albums Chart, Loud certified Platinum for sales of over 70,000 copies. In Italy, the album became Rihanna's highest peaking chart position at number eleven. It was her third consecutive number one album in Switzerland. Loud debuted at number two on the German Albums Chart. The album debuted at number two in the United Kingdom, with first week sales of 91,000 units. In its seventh week on the chart, Loud reached number one, giving Rihanna her second UK number-one album. After seven weeks of sales, the album became the fourth best-selling album of 2010 in the UK. The album had sold 1,500,000 copies in the United Kingdom by September 4, 2011. By July 8, 2011, Loud was certified five-times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
(BPI), marking shipments of 1.5 million copies to retailers. As of October 2011, the album has sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
Singles
"Only Girl (In the World)" was released as the album's lead single on September 10, 2010. The song was sent to US mainstreamContemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
and rhythmic
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
radio on September 21, 2010. It received positive reviews from music critics, especially for its chorus and thunderous dance beats. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, in the UK, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Ireland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and Slovakia, becoming one of her best charting songs to date. At the 53rd Grammy Awards
53rd Grammy Awards
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
, held at the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on February 13, 2011, "Only Girl (In the World)" won the award for Best Dance Recording
Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
The Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music genre...
.
"What's My Name?", which features guest vocals by Canadian recording artist Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
was released as the album's second single, being sent to US mainstream
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
and rhythmic
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
radios on September 21, 2010. It was released as a digital download on October 29, 2010 in some European markets and in the US on November 1, 2010. Music critics praised the song as some of Rihanna's best vocal work to date, the romantic nature of the song and its sexual tones. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, giving Rihanna her eighth number-one on the chart, whilst "Only Girl (In the World)" became her ninth number-one hit two weeks after "What's My Name?", making it the first time in the history of the chart that an album's first single peaked at number one after the second. It reached number one in the United Kingdom and became Rihanna's fifth UK number one single and Drake's first.
The collaboration with Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
, "Raining Men", was released to urban
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
radio on December 7, 2010 as an urban radio single and third track from Loud released as a single in the US. It was re-released to urban radio on January 25, 2011. "Raining Men" peaked at number forty-eight on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Raining Men" received mixed reviews from critics who praised the chemistry between Rihanna and Minaj but criticised the song for failing to create anything new or original. "S&M", the album's fourth US single and third international single, was released to US mainstream radio on January 25, 2011. Reception of "S&M" was mixed; some reviewers criticized the overt use of sexual lyrics while others noted it as a stand-out track from Loud. "S&M" was remixed by several notable DJs. One remix features guest vocals by Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, which was released digitally on April 11, 2011. "S&M" reached the top ten in twenty-four countries, reaching number one in Australia, Canada and on the US Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart "S&M" became Rihanna's tenth number one song on the chart, making her the youngest recording artist to have accumulated ten number one songs in the shortest amount of time, surpassing Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
's record.
"California King Bed" was released as the fourth international single on May 13, 2011, and as the sixth US single. It was sent to US Hot/Modern adult contemporary radio
Adult contemporary music
Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music....
on May 16, 2011. Critics praised Rihanna's vocal performance, whilst some called it a powerful ballad, comparing it to Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song performed by American rock band Aerosmith for the 1998 film Armageddon. Written by Diane Warren, the song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . The song stayed at number one for four weeks from September 5 to September 26, 1998...
". The song peaked at number four in Australia and New Zealand, number eight on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and thirty-seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Man Down" was released as the fifth international single in some European countries in July 2011 and was released to US rhythmic and urban radios on May 3, 2011. "Man Down" received positive reviews from critics, who called it a return to Rihanna's Caribbean-tinged rhythm. Before its official release, the song debuted on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number eighty-four on April 9, 2011 and peaked at number nine. "Man Down" also reached a peak of fifty-nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was released to digital outlets in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland on July 11, 2011 as the fifth international single from Loud. In France, it peaked at number one for five consecutive weeks.
On July 24, 2011, Rihanna announced the release of "Cheers (Drink to That)" as the seventh single from the album. The single was released to US mainstream and rhythmic radio on August 2, 2011. The song peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number twelve on the US Pop Songs
Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs)
The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart...
chart.
Other notable songs
Upon the release of Loud, the non-single track "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)Love the Way You Lie (Part II)
"Love the Way You Lie " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud. It features guest vocals from American rapper Eminem. The song was written by Eminem, Skylar Grey and Alex da Kid, the latter of whom produced the song...
", which features guest vocals from American rapper Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, debuted and peaked at number nineteen on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
. The song is sequel to "Love the Way You Lie", and features Rihanna as the main vocalist. It received positive reviews from music critics, some noting Rihanna's commanding vocals. Rihanna performed the song live for the first time as part of a medley with "What's My Name?" and "Only Girl (In the World)" at the American Music Awards of 2010
American Music Awards of 2010
The 38th American Music Awards were held November 21, 2010 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from 2010. Nominees were announced on October 12, 2010. Justin Bieber was nominated for, and won, four awards, including Artist of...
on November 21, 2010 and again at the 53rd Grammy Awards
53rd Grammy Awards
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
on February 13, 2011 as part of a medley with "I Need a Doctor
I Need a Doctor
"I Need a Doctor" is a single by American hip-hop artist Dr. Dre. The song features guest appearances from American rapper Eminem and singer Skylar Grey. The song is produced by British record producer Alex da Kid, mixed by Dr...
" performed by Eminem, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Adam Levine
Adam Levine
Adam Noah Levine is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the front man and guitarist for the pop rock band Maroon 5. He is also a coach on the American talent show The Voice.-Early life:...
from Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
, and Skylar Grey.
Release and promotion
Loud was released on November 12, 2010, in four separate editions; a Standard Edition, a Deluxe Edition packaged in a digipak exclusively for US and Australia that features a 30 minute "Making of the album" DVD, a Couture Edition containing the deluxe edition of Loud with a deluxe cover art lithograph and a box set with enhanced clear couture cover and a full-size photo book. An Ultra Couture Edition was produced, containing a copy of the Deluxe Edition of Loud signed by RihannaRihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, the MP3 download of Loud on street date
Street date
In business, a street date is the date a particular product is to be released for sale to the general public.Typically, retailers receive shipments of stock prior to its street date release, so that the product can be placed on display shelves for store opening that day...
and all the features of the Couture Edition. The Ultra Couture Edition sold out and is no longer available. An explicit version of Loud was also released and features a Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory is a message affixed by the Recording Industry Association of America to audio and recordings in the United States containing excessive use of profane language and/or sexual references. Albums began to be labeled for "explicit lyrics" in 1985, after pressure from the Parents...
label due to some of the lyrical content. The Japanese edition of the album was released with two additional remixes of Only Girl (In the World). The piano version of Love the Way You Lie (Part II) was only available with the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
edition of the album. However, the version which features Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
was available to buy.
Live performances
Rihanna toured to promote Loud in Europe and North America. She performed "Only Girl (In the World)", the lead single, live for the first time in North America on Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
on October 30, 2010. Rihanna also debuted her second single, "What's My Name?" on the show. The following day in the United Kingdom, Rihanna sang "What's My Name?" on series seven
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
of The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
.
Rihanna performed "Only Girl (In the World)" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010
MTV Europe Music Awards 2010
The 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards took place on November 7, 2010 at Caja Mágica in Madrid. The award show was presented by Eva Longoria and Justin Bieber was the official MTV EMA 2010 digital host. The nominations were announced on September 20...
in Madrid, Spain, on November 7, 2010, on The X Factor
X Factor (Italy)
X Factor is a successful TV show airing on prime time in Italy. The singing competition is the Italian version of The X Factor franchise...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
on November 9, 2010, and on Le Grand Journal
Le Grand Journal (Canal+)
Le Grand Journal is a French nightly news and talk show airing every weekday evening on Canal+. Debuting on August 30, 2004, it was created and hosted by Michel Denisot. Originally a one-hour program, it expanded to two hours in 2005. Even though the show is broadcast on the premium channel Canal+,...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on November 10, 2010. On November 11, 2010, Rihanna appeared on a pre-recorded edition of The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show is a British comedy chat show that is broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom. It was originally shown on BBC Two from February 2007 to May 2009 until it moved to BBC One from October 2009...
in the United Kingdom, where she gave an interview and sang "Only Girl (In the World)". On November 15, before the album's US release, Rihanna reprised her performance of "What's My Name?" for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's The Seven, live from Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The next day, Rihanna performed "What's My Name?" on The Late Show with David Letterman.
On November 17, 2010, Rihanna was interviewed and performed "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?" on Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
. Rihanna performed a medley of "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)", "What's My Name?" and "Only Girl (In the World)" at the American Music Awards of 2010
American Music Awards of 2010
The 38th American Music Awards were held November 21, 2010 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from 2010. Nominees were announced on October 12, 2010. Justin Bieber was nominated for, and won, four awards, including Artist of...
on November 21, 2010, where she won the award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
The American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist has been awarded since 1974.Years reflect the year during which the American Music Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year .The all-time winner in this category is a tie between Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey,...
. Rihanna opened with an acappella version of "Love The Way You Lie Part II".
On December 11, 2010, Rihanna returned to series seven
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
of the UK's The X Factor, to perform "Unfaithful
Unfaithful (song)
"Unfaithful" is a ballad written by Ne-Yo, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen for R&B singer Rihanna's second album, A Girl like Me. It was produced by Stargate and released as the album's second single in mid-2006. The music also featured, with Tamil lyrics, as the song, "Unakenna Naan" in...
" with finalist Matt Cardle
Matt Cardle
Matthew Sheridan "Matt" Cardle is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010. He received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music by winning, and his debut number one single "When We Collide" was released immediately...
and a solo performance of "What's My Name?". The finale was watched by fifteen million viewers, but attracted thousands of complaints about Rihanna's choice of outfit and sexual performance. Rihanna performed the song with Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
for the first time at the 53rd Grammy Awards
53rd Grammy Awards
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
on February 13, 2011. Rihanna also appeared at the 2011 BRIT Awards
2011 BRIT Awards
The 2011 BRIT Awards was held on Tuesday 15 February 2011.It was the 31st edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The award ceremony was held at The O2 Arena...
on February 15, 2011, where she performed "S&M" for the first time, as a medley with "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?". Rihanna was requested to "tone down" her performance of "S&M" by the show's producers, and she performed only one verse and chorus in between "Only Girl (In The World)" and "What's My Name?". The BRIT Awards corporation wanted to avoid receiving complaints similar to those received by X-Factor. Rihanna was a special guest at the NBA All Star Game on February 20, 2011, where she performed a medley of "Umbrella
Umbrella (song)
"Umbrella" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song was written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad...
", "Only Girl (In the World)", "Rude Boy
Rude Boy (song)
"Rude Boy" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fourth studio album, Rated R . The song was released as the third single from the album on February 19, 2010, through Def Jam. It was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Ester Dean, Makeba Riddick, Rob Swire...
", "What's My Name?" (with Drake) and "All of the Lights
All of the Lights
"All of the Lights" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, released January 18, 2011, as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy...
" (with Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
).
Rihanna performed "California King Bed" for first time in a country style, with Sugarland front woman Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles is an American country music artist. She is known primarily for her role as lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland alongside Kristian Bush. Before Sugarland's inception, she also fronted Atlanta, Georgia-based bands called Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band...
, during the ACM Awards held by Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
on April 3, 2011. She was a guest on the tenth season
American Idol (season 10)
The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011 and concluded on May 25, 2011, on Fox. The show underwent a number of changes from season nine, including the reduction of the judging panel to its original number of just three judges , a returning executive producer, a new music...
of US series American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, on April 14, 2011, where she performed "California King Bed". Rihanna promoted "California King Bed" with performances in Milan, Paris and Hamburg, because Rihanna was appointed ambassador for Nivea
Nivea
Nivea is a global skin- and body-care brand that is owned by the German company Beiersdorf. The company was founded on March 28 1882 by pharmacist Carl Paul Beiersdorf. In 1900, the new owner Oskar Troplowitz developed a water-in-oil emulsion as a skin cream with Eucerit, the first stable emulsion...
skincare. Rihanna opened the Billboard Music Awards, performing the remix of "S&M" with Britney Spears on May 22, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The performance attracted complaints about the overt sexual nature of broadcast on a publicly-owned television channel. Rihanna performed on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Today show on May 27, 2011 as part of a Summer Concert Series. She performed "S&M", "Only Girl (In the World)", "What's My Name?" and "California King Bed".
Tour
To further promote Loud, Rihanna embarked on her fourth concert tour, the Loud Tour, in June 2011, having announced it on February 9, 2011. The tour comprised 101 show dates, 32 in North America, 1 in Central America, 4 in South America and 64 in Europe. Tickets sold well in the United Kingdom and some additional shows were added. She performed ten shows at London's O2 ArenaThe O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
. Rihanna was interviewed by Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
on American Idol, and talked about the design of the stage, stating: "We've just designed the stage and we have a section that we are building... where the fans can actually be in the show and in the stage and be closer than they've ever been. It's real VIP." The North American leg of the tour began on June 4, 2011 in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Originally, J. Cole and Cee Lo Green were planned as support acts for the North American leg. However, Green left the tour citing schedule conflicts. Rappers Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
made guest appearances on some dates to perform their collaborations "What's My Name?", "Run This Town
Run This Town
"Run This Town" is a 2009 song performed by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West. The song features Rihanna. The track was produced by Kanye West alongside No I.D. It is released as the second single of Jay-Z's eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3...
", "All of the Lights" and "Umbrella", respectively.
On July 8, 2011 in Dallas, Texas, a fire broke out after Rihanna performed "California King Bed". The audience was evacuated and the concert was forced to end early. Rihanna performed one show in Barbados and four in Brazil, before the European part of the tour, which began on September 29, 2011, in Belfast. The tour has gained critical acclaim, some calling it "Rihanna's best tour yet". Jane Stevenson of the Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
commented that "...the two-hour, larger-than-life show lived up to the billing." Jon Brean of the Minneapolis "Star Tribune
Star Tribune
The Star Tribune is the largest newspaper in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is published seven days each week in an edition for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. A statewide version is also available across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The...
" remarked, "The Barbadian singer is more visually and vocally dynamic than she has ever been before."
Track listing
Notes- "Cheers (Drink to That)" interpolates "I'm with You" performed by Avril LavigneAvril LavigneAvril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
and written by Lavigne, Scott Spock, Graham EdwardsThe Matrix (music producer)The Matrix is an American pop music writing and production team, consisting of Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards and Scott Spock.-Background:Before her involvement in The Matrix, Lauren Christy had moderate success as a singer-songwriter, releasing two albums under Mercury Records in the mid-1990s,...
and Lauren ChristyLauren ChristyLauren Christy is an English singer-songwriter and music producer.-Early life and education:Christy was born in London, England. She studied at the Bush Davies Ballet School as a child, before she decided to become a musical artist.-Music career:...
.
Release formats
Loud (Ultra Couture edition) [CD+DVD]- Deluxe cover art signed by Rihanna herself (lithograph)
- Enhanced clear couture cover
- Deluxe edition of Loud [CD+DVD]
- "Making of Loud" video DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
- 20 page full size photobook
Loud (Couture edition) [CD+DVD]
- Deluxe cover art lithograph
- Enhanced clear couture cover
- Deluxe edition of Loud [CD+DVD]
- "Making of Loud" video DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
- 20 page full size photobook
Loud (Deluxe edition) [CD + DVD]
- 11 track Loud album
- Bonus DVD with the "Making of Loud" video
- Packaged as a digipack instead of standard jewel case
iTunes version
- 11 track Loud album
- "Love the Way You Lie" (Piano version) (Bonus track)
- "Only Girl (In the World)" (Music video) (Bonus track)
- "Only Girl (In the World) (Mixin' Marc & Tony Svejda Mix Show Edit)" (Pre-order only) (Bonus track)
- Digital Booklet
Musicians
- RihannaRihannaRobyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
– vocals, art direction, creative director, design, executive producer - Stacy Barthe – background vocals
- Nuno BettencourtNuno BettencourtNuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt is a Portuguese guitarist and singer-songwriter best known for his role as the lead guitarist of the Boston rock band Extreme whose hits include the acoustic ballads "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted"...
– guitar - Alex Delicata – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
– vocals - Eric England – bass
- Tor Erik Hermansen – instrumentation
- Cristyle JohnsonCristyleCrystal Nicole Johnson, better known by her stage name Cristyle or sometimes credited as Cri$tyle is an American Grammy Award winning songwriter signed with So So Def/EMI Music.-Career:...
– background vocals - Priscilla ReneaPriscilla ReneaPriscilla Renea Hamilton is an American singer and songwriter. She is signed to Capitol Records, and her debut album, Jukebox, was released on December 1, 2009 but failed to garner success. Her second album is expected to be released sometime in 2011, although no official release details have been...
– background vocals - Theron Thomas – background vocals
Production
- Camilla Akrans – photography
- Veronika Bozeman – additional production, vocal producer
- Leesa D. Brunson – A&R
- Noel Cadastre – assistant vocal engineer
- Bobby Campbell – assistant vocal engineer, mixing assistant
- Ariel Chobaz – vocal recording
- Cary Clark – engineer
- Corey Shoemaker – engineer
- Carol Corless – package production
- Karin Darnell – make-up
- Ester DeanEster DeanEster Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
– producer, background vocals - Mikkel S. EriksenStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
– engineer, instrumentation - Jesus Garnica – mixing assistant
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Josh Gudwin – vocal recording
- Mariel Haenn – stylist
- Alex Haldi – art direction, design
- Inaam Haq – assistant vocal engineer
- Kuk HarrellKuk HarrellThaddis "Kuk" Harrell is an American songwriter, vocal producer, arranger and engineer. He is managed by RedZone Entertainment, and is a member of a songwriting–production team composed of himself, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The Dream" Nash...
– vocal producer, vocal recording - Koby Hass Assistant – vocal engineer
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing
- Brandon Joner – assistant vocal engineer
- Terese Joseph – A&R
- JP Robinson – art direction, design
- Rob Katz – assistant vocal engineer
- Alex da KidAlex da KidAlexander Grant , better known as Alex da Kid, is a Grammy award winning English music songwriter and hip-hop producer.-Early life:...
– engineer, producer - Karen Kwak – A&R
- Damien Lewis – assistant engineer, engineer
- Dane Liska – assistant vocal engineer
- Erik Madrid – mixing assistant
- Deborah Mannis-Gardner – sample clearance
- Scott Marcus – A&R
- Manny Marroquin – mixing
- Dana Nielsen – engineer
- Ben O'Neill – assistant engineer
- Ciarra Pardo – art direction, creative director, design
- Christian Plata – mixing assistant
- Polow da DonPolow Da DonPolow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
– producer - Antonio "L.A." Reid – executive producer
- Antonio Resendiz – assistant vocal engineer
- Makeba RiddickMakeba RiddickMakeba Riddick is a singer-songwriter who has been active since 2005. She is originally from West Baltimore, United States. Currently she is managed by Jay-Z's record label and production house, Roc Nation...
– vocal producer - Evan RogersCarl Sturken and Evan RogersCarl Sturken and Evan Rogers are New York-based songwriters and music producers who are business partners and friends. They have produced hits for Ruben Studdard, Wild Orchid, Christina Aguilera, and Rihanna's debut album...
– executive producer - Chad "C Note" Roper – engineer
- The RunnersThe RunnersThe Runners is a hip hop production duo from Orlando, Florida, consisting of Andrew "Dru Brett" Harr and Jermaine "Mayne Zayne" Jackson. They came together to form the team in 2000, but they have known each other since they were in kindergarten. They are best known for producing the hit singles "Go...
– producer - Brad Shea – assistant vocal engineer
- Noah Shebib – vocal recording
- StarGateStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
– producer - Ursula Stephen – hair stylist
- Jay Stevenson – engineer
- Christopher "Tricky" StewartChristopher Stewart (music producer)Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
– producer - Mike Strange – vocal recording
- Carl SturkenCarl Sturken and Evan RogersCarl Sturken and Evan Rogers are New York-based songwriters and music producers who are business partners and friends. They have produced hits for Ruben Studdard, Wild Orchid, Christina Aguilera, and Rihanna's debut album...
– executive producer - Phil Tan – mixing
- Bu Thiam – A&R
- Brian "B-Luv" Thomas – engineer
- Marcos Tovar – mixing, vocal recording
- Sandy Vee – engineer, instrumentation, mixing, producer
- Jeff "Supa Jeff" Villanueva – engineer
- Miles Walker – engineer
- Kyle White Assistant – vocal engineer
- Andrew Wuepper – engineer
- Robert Zangardi – stylist
Weekly charts
| Chart (2010–11) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart | 2 |
| Australian Urban Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
1 |
| Austrian Albums Chart | 3 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
3 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
2 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
1 |
| Croatian International Album Chart | 14 |
| Czech Republic Albums Chart IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... |
12 |
| Danish Albums Chart | 2 |
| European Top 100 Albums European Top 100 Albums The European Top 100 Albums chart is the European adaptation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was created in March 1984.The European Top 100 Albums, commonly referred to as Eurochart Top 100 Albums shows the sales of an act in 19 European countries based on IFPI data.The European Top 100... |
1 |
| Finnish Albums Chart | 7 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
3 |
| German Albums Chart | 2 |
| Greek Albums Chart IFPI Greece International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece or IFPI Greece is the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and is the official charts provider and recording sales certification body for Greece. Currently two charts are compiled, one for sales of... |
8 |
| Hungarian Albums Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
6 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
1 |
| Italian Albums Chart | 11 |
| Mexican Albums Chart | 17 |
| Netherlands Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
6 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart | 4 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart | 1 |
| Portuguese Albums Chart Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa The Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa is currently the only recording industry association in Portugal. Created in 1989, it succeeded GPPFV and UNEVA .... |
10 |
| Polish Albums Chart | 4 |
| Scottish Albums Chart | 1 |
| Spanish Albums Chart | 6 |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 15 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 1 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| UK R&B Albums Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
1 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
3 |
| US R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| Irish Album Chart | 5 |
| Netherlands Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
83 |
| Poland Albums Chart OLiS OLiS is the official list of the highest selling music albums in Poland. The list exists since October 23, 2000 and is provided by ZPAV.... |
36 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 21 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
4 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification |
|---|---|
| Australia Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
2× Platinum |
| Austria | Gold |
| Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
Platinum |
| Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
Gold |
| Canada Canadian Recording Industry Association Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada... |
3× Platinum |
| Denmark | Platinum |
| Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
2× Platinum |
| France Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
Platinum |
| GCC Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates... |
Gold |
| Germany Bundesverband Musikindustrie The Bundesverband Musikindustrie or simply BVMI represents the music industry in Germany. The association represents the interests of nearly 350 labels and music industry related enterprises.... |
3× Gold |
| Hungary Hungary Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The... |
Gold |
| Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
Gold |
| Ireland Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... |
5× Platinum |
| Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
Gold |
| New Zealand Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
Platinum |
| Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... |
3× Platinum |
| Russia Russia Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... |
Gold |
| Sweden Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
Platinum |
| Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
2× Platinum |
| United Kingdom British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
5× Platinum |
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Platinum |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
AUT Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
CAN Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
FRA Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
GER Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
IRL Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
NZL Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
SWI Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
||||
| "Only Girl (In the World) Only Girl (In the World) "Only Girl " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's lead single on September 10, 2010 through Def Jam. It was written by Crystal Johnson, Norwegian production duo Stargate and Sandy Vee, and produced by Stargate and Vee... " |
2010 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
| "What's My Name? What's My Name? (Rihanna song) "What's My Name?" is mid-tempo electro-R&B song, produced by Norwegian producers, StarGate, who return Rihanna to the "Island-pop" of her early career with a backing track consisting of "heavy reggae" and ska beats with synthesised organs. Bill Lamb from About.com noted that before Rihanna's vocals... " (featuring Drake Drake (entertainer) Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation.... ) |
18 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
|
||
| "Raining Men Raining Men (song) "Raining Men" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fifth studio album Loud . The song was solicited to urban radio on December 7, 2010, as the third single from Loud in the United States. The up-tempo record features rap vocals from Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj... " (featuring Nicki Minaj Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist... ) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 142 | — | |||
| "S&M S&M (song) "S&M" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Corey Jackson Carter, Sandy Wilhelm and Ester Dean, with production helmed by Eriksen and Hermansen of Stargate and Sandy Wilhelm under her... " |
2011 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
|
|
| "California King Bed California King Bed "California King Bed" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's fifth single on May 13, 2011 through Def Jam. The song was written by Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Priscilla Renea and Alex Delicata, and was... " |
4 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 37 |
|
||
| "Man Down Man Down "Man Down" is a song performed by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from her fifth studio album Loud . The song was sent to US rhythmic and urban radios on May 3, 2011 and was released as the album's sixth overall single in the United States as well as in certain countries internationally... " |
— | — | 63 | 1 | — | — | — | 9 | 54 | 59 | |||
| "Cheers (Drink to That) Cheers (Drink to That) "Cheers " is a song recorded by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, from her fifth studio album Loud . The song impacted US mainstream and rhythmic radio on August 2, 2011, as the seventh and final single released from Loud... " |
6 | — | 6 | 64 | — | 16 | 5 | 66 | 15 | 7 |
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| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Edition | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | November 12, 2010 | CD, CD+DVD DVD A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions.... |
Standard, deluxe | Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| Germany | ||||
| Ireland | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Standard | ||
| Netherlands | CD | |||
| France | November 15, 2010 | CD, CD+DVD | Standard, deluxe | |
| New Zealand | ||||
| Portugal | ||||
| Philippines | MCA Music Phils. | |||
| United Kingdom | CD | Standard | Mercury Records Mercury Records Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal... |
|
| Mexico | November 16, 2010 | Universal Music | ||
| United States | CD, CD+DVD, digital download | Standard, deluxe | Def Jam Recordings | |
| United States | CD+DVD | Deluxe (Couture edition) | ||
| Poland | November 19, 2010 | CD | Standard | Universal Music |
| Brazil | November 30, 2010 | |||
| Japan | January 19, 2011 |
External links
- Loud at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
- Rihanna: The Billboard Cover Story at BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...