Rockstar 101
Encyclopedia
"Rockstar 101" is a song by Barbadian
recording artist Rihanna
, taken from her fourth studio album, Rated R
(2009). The song was released as the album's fourth overall single on June 2, 2010 through Def Jam
. "Rockstar 101" was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash
, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart
and Rihanna, with production of the song completed by the former two. Musically, the song incorporates elements of rock
, whilst the remix EPs of the song draw influence from dance
and electronic music
. The song also features a solo guitar appearance by the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock
band Guns N' Roses
, Slash
.
The song was met with a mixed response from music critics
, who labelled the song as "aggressive" and criticized the inclusion of Slash on the song, calling it an "afterthought". In the US, "Rockstar 101" failed to perform successfully on the US Billboard
Hot 100
, peaking at number sixty-four, but managed to peak at number two on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The song also managed to peak at number twenty-four on the Australian Singles Chart.
The song's accompanying music video was directed by Melina Matsoukas
and was shot in April 2010. As the video did not feature Slash, Rihanna paid homage to him by dressing in in rock star attire and impersonated his style and personality. The video also featured other scenes where Rihanna was shown to be nude and covered in black body paint, wearing only a crown and chains. The song was performed for the only televised on the ninth season
of American Idol
on April 7, 2010, and was also included on the set list of the Last Girl on Earth Tour
(2010–11).
and rhythmic
radio stations on May 18, 2010 and in Australia to mainstream radio on July 19, 2010. The song was remixed by a multitude of DJ's and other artists, and was released as an EP entitled "Rockstar 101: The Remixes", which consisted of fourteen remixes of the song, and was released via iTunes
on July 13, 2010. The remixes also appeared on a second EP released exclusively by Masterbeat.com, entitled "Rockstar 101 Remixes". The EP consisted of twelve different remixes and was released on June 2, 2010. The song was co-written and co-produced by Terius Nash
and Christopher Stewart
, who had previously written Rihanna's second single from Rated R, "Hard
". "Rockstar 101" features a guitar performance by British-American musician and songwriter and former lead guitarist of the American hard rock
band Guns N' Roses
, Slash
. Musically, "Rockstar 101" incorporates elements of rock
, while the "Rockstar 101: The Remixes" EP are dance
and electronic music
adaptations of the song.
wrote that "Rihanna puts on her tough voice [for the song], settling into her lower register with a fierce frown. 'The only thing I'm missing is a black guitar,' she growls in the Dream-and-Stewart produced 'Rockstar 101', her heavy modulation making clear that she can definitely get by without that ultimate rock phallic symbol. Slash's presence, playing one, feels like an afterthought". "Rockstar 101" was met with a mixed response by music critics, with Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly
described Slash's guitar performance in the song as "aggressive". Emily Tartanella of PopMatters
defined the song as a "brilliant bit of bravado" during her review of Rated R. However, Bill Lamb of About.com
expressed discontent regarding "Rockstar 101" being chosen as a single, saying that "it's one of the weaker songs on Rated R", adding that it "seems destined to end the streak of three consecutive top 10 pop hits from the album". Furthermore, he said: "Within the context of Rated R, the intensely chilly, distant feel of the song works, but it is difficult to see "Rockstar 101" endearing itself to a wide spectrum of pop fans listening to the radio". Ryan Dombell of Pitchfork Media
labelled the song as being slow-moving and slumberous, writing "The similarly chest-thumping "Rockstar 101" and "G4L" are harder to justify considering their mindless boasts and torpid production." Jon Pareles of The New York Times
commented on the lyric "I never play the victim," which is linked to how Rihanna was allegedly involved in a domestic violence case against her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.
Hot Dance Club Songs chart, debuting at number thirty-nine on June 19, 2010, and reaching a peak of number two on July 31, 2010. Two weeks later on August 14, 2010, the clean version of the song, which did not feature Slash, also peaked at number two, with both versions staying on the charts for twenty-four weeks. The song also managed to peak at number sixty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100
on August 28, 2010, staying on the chart for five weeks, as well as peaking at number twenty-eight on the US Billboard Digital Songs
on the same day, managing to stay on the chart for six weeks. In Australia, "Rockstar 101" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number fifty on August 22, 2010. The song managed to peak at number twenty-four for one week, and spent a total of six weeks in the top-fifty singles chart.
for "Rockstar 101" was shot in April 2010 and was directed by Melina Matsoukas
, who had previously directed the videos Rihanna's previous singles, "Hard
" and "Rude Boy
". On May 19, 2010, Rihanna released a 30 second sneak-peak preview of the video on the internet, whilst the full video premiered on May 25, 2010 through the high-definition music video website VEVO
. According to Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News, the video is "a mix of goth bondage-esque voyeurism, complete with Rihanna's gyrating moves and a raging band that features Travis Barker on the drums." Shortly after the video was released, Slash said that he was "flattered" that Rihanna had impersonated him in the video, saying "The video is way better with her being me than with me being me ...all things considered, it brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn't have been capable of. I think it's hot. Everything works out the way it's supposed to."
Although Slash is featured on the song, he doesn't appear in the music video for "Rockstar 101", instead, Rihanna pays homage to him by impersonating Slash's style and personality by presenting herself wearing a skull-laden top hat, wig, leather jacket, dark glasses as well as using a toothpick. Rihanna is also seen strumming a guitar in the style of a rockstar and reminiscent of how Slash presents himself playing his guitar. In total, Rihanna is seen in a total of eight different scenes and settings throughout the duration of the video, including being almost nude and covered in black body paint wearing only a spiked crown and wrapped in chains, which were fabricated by famous jewellery designer Fannie Schiavoni. In other scenes, Rihanna smashes a black electric guitar, wears an outfit consisting of parts of a guitar, as well as featuring an appearance by Blink-182
drummer Travis Barker
, who is featured as one of the dummers in Rihanna's rock band.
of American Idol
on April 7, 2010, and was joined on stage by Portuguese guitarist
and singer-songwriter
Nuno Bettencourt
The performance saw the television screens on stage showing images of lightening bolts and skulls, whilst Rihanna was wearing a black leather catsuit. Later in the performance, Rihanna picked up a black Gibson Flying V
guitar and started to play the instrument, reminiscent to what Rihanna was later shown doing in the music video for the song. The song was also included on the set list of the Last Girl on Earth Tour
(2010–11).
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...
, taken from her fourth studio album, 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). The song was released as the album's fourth overall single on June 2, 2010 through Def Jam
The Island Def Jam Music Group
The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group, formerly The Island Def Jam Music Group, is an umbrella label formed in 1999 when Universal Music Group merged two of its daughter companies, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings, to create a label group. In 2011, Motown Records was split from the Universal...
. "Rockstar 101" was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
, Christopher "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 Rihanna, with production of the song completed by the former two. Musically, the song incorporates elements of 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...
, whilst the remix EPs of the song draw influence from dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and electronic music
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...
. The song also features a solo guitar appearance by the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
, Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
.
The song was met with a mixed response from music critics
Music journalism
Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as 'classical music'. This aspect of music journalism, today often referred to as music criticism , comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of...
, who labelled the song as "aggressive" and criticized the inclusion of Slash on the song, calling it an "afterthought". In the US, "Rockstar 101" failed to perform successfully 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...
, peaking at number sixty-four, but managed to peak at number two on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The song also managed to peak at number twenty-four on the Australian Singles Chart.
The song's accompanying music video was directed by Melina Matsoukas
Melina Matsoukas
Melina Matsoukas is an American music video director.-Life and career:Matsoukas is of Greek, Jewish, Jamaican and Cuban descent. Both her name and surname are Greek: Μελίνα Ματσούκα. She is a graduate of the American Film Institute and New York University...
and was shot in April 2010. As the video did not feature Slash, Rihanna paid homage to him by dressing in in rock star attire and impersonated his style and personality. The video also featured other scenes where Rihanna was shown to be nude and covered in black body paint, wearing only a crown and chains. The song was performed for the only televised on the ninth season
American Idol (season 9)
The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was...
of 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 7, 2010, and was also included on the set list of the 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...
(2010–11).
Background and composition
In the US, the song was solicited to 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 stations on May 18, 2010 and in Australia to mainstream radio on July 19, 2010. The song was remixed by a multitude of DJ's and other artists, and was released as an EP entitled "Rockstar 101: The Remixes", which consisted of fourteen remixes of the song, and was released via 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....
on July 13, 2010. The remixes also appeared on a second EP released exclusively by Masterbeat.com, entitled "Rockstar 101 Remixes". The EP consisted of twelve different remixes and was released on June 2, 2010. The song was co-written and co-produced by Terius Nash
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
and Christopher 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...
, who had previously written Rihanna's second single from Rated R, "Hard
Hard (song)
"Hard" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fourth studio album, Rated R . It was written by Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, Rihanna and American rapper Jeezy, who also provides featured vocals. Nash and Stewart produced the song under their respective stage names The-Dream...
". "Rockstar 101" features a guitar performance by British-American musician and songwriter and former lead guitarist of the American hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
, Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
. Musically, "Rockstar 101" incorporates elements of 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...
, while the "Rockstar 101: The Remixes" EP are dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and electronic music
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...
adaptations of the song.
Critical reception
Ann Powers of Los Angeles TimesLos 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....
wrote that "Rihanna puts on her tough voice [for the song], settling into her lower register with a fierce frown. 'The only thing I'm missing is a black guitar,' she growls in the Dream-and-Stewart produced 'Rockstar 101', her heavy modulation making clear that she can definitely get by without that ultimate rock phallic symbol. Slash's presence, playing one, feels like an afterthought". "Rockstar 101" was met with a mixed response by music critics, with Leah Greenblatt of 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 Slash's guitar performance in the song as "aggressive". Emily Tartanella of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
defined the song as a "brilliant bit of bravado" during her review of Rated R. However, Bill Lamb of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
expressed discontent regarding "Rockstar 101" being chosen as a single, saying that "it's one of the weaker songs on Rated R", adding that it "seems destined to end the streak of three consecutive top 10 pop hits from the album". Furthermore, he said: "Within the context of Rated R, the intensely chilly, distant feel of the song works, but it is difficult to see "Rockstar 101" endearing itself to a wide spectrum of pop fans listening to the radio". Ryan Dombell of 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...
labelled the song as being slow-moving and slumberous, writing "The similarly chest-thumping "Rockstar 101" and "G4L" are harder to justify considering their mindless boasts and torpid production." Jon Pareles 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...
commented on the lyric "I never play the victim," which is linked to how Rihanna was allegedly involved in a domestic violence case against her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.
Chart performance
The explicit version of "Rockstar 101" made its first chart appearance on the US BilboardBillboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Hot Dance Club Songs chart, debuting at number thirty-nine on June 19, 2010, and reaching a peak of number two on July 31, 2010. Two weeks later on August 14, 2010, the clean version of the song, which did not feature Slash, also peaked at number two, with both versions staying on the charts for twenty-four weeks. The song also managed to peak at number sixty-four 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...
on August 28, 2010, staying on the chart for five weeks, as well as peaking at number twenty-eight on the US Billboard Digital Songs
Hot Digital Songs
The Hot Digital Songs chart ranks the best-selling digital singles in the United States, according to Billboard.Beginning in February 2005, digital sales have been incorporated into many of Billboards music single charts. It was decided to do so mainly because of the dramatic rise in popularity of...
on the same day, managing to stay on the chart for six weeks. In Australia, "Rockstar 101" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number fifty on August 22, 2010. The song managed to peak at number twenty-four for one week, and spent a total of six weeks in the top-fifty singles chart.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Rockstar 101" was shot in April 2010 and was directed by Melina Matsoukas
Melina Matsoukas
Melina Matsoukas is an American music video director.-Life and career:Matsoukas is of Greek, Jewish, Jamaican and Cuban descent. Both her name and surname are Greek: Μελίνα Ματσούκα. She is a graduate of the American Film Institute and New York University...
, who had previously directed the videos Rihanna's previous singles, "Hard
Hard (song)
"Hard" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fourth studio album, Rated R . It was written by Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, Rihanna and American rapper Jeezy, who also provides featured vocals. Nash and Stewart produced the song under their respective stage names The-Dream...
" and "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...
". On May 19, 2010, Rihanna released a 30 second sneak-peak preview of the video on the internet, whilst the full video premiered on May 25, 2010 through the high-definition music video website VEVO
Vevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
. According to Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News, the video is "a mix of goth bondage-esque voyeurism, complete with Rihanna's gyrating moves and a raging band that features Travis Barker on the drums." Shortly after the video was released, Slash said that he was "flattered" that Rihanna had impersonated him in the video, saying "The video is way better with her being me than with me being me ...all things considered, it brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn't have been capable of. I think it's hot. Everything works out the way it's supposed to."
Although Slash is featured on the song, he doesn't appear in the music video for "Rockstar 101", instead, Rihanna pays homage to him by impersonating Slash's style and personality by presenting herself wearing a skull-laden top hat, wig, leather jacket, dark glasses as well as using a toothpick. Rihanna is also seen strumming a guitar in the style of a rockstar and reminiscent of how Slash presents himself playing his guitar. In total, Rihanna is seen in a total of eight different scenes and settings throughout the duration of the video, including being almost nude and covered in black body paint wearing only a spiked crown and wrapped in chains, which were fabricated by famous jewellery designer Fannie Schiavoni. In other scenes, Rihanna smashes a black electric guitar, wears an outfit consisting of parts of a guitar, as well as featuring an appearance by Blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
drummer Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
, who is featured as one of the dummers in Rihanna's rock band.
Live performances
Rihanna performed "Rockstar 101" for the only televised performance on a pre-recorded performance on the ninth seasonAmerican Idol (season 9)
The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was...
of 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 7, 2010, and was joined on stage by Portuguese guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Nuno Bettencourt
Nuno Bettencourt
Nuno 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"...
The performance saw the television screens on stage showing images of lightening bolts and skulls, whilst Rihanna was wearing a black leather catsuit. Later in the performance, Rihanna picked up a black Gibson Flying V
Gibson Flying V
-External links:*, , , , and , from the Gibson website*, a June 2001 article from Guitar Collector magazine*, a tribute site that lists all models and re-issues and most notable players**...
guitar and started to play the instrument, reminiscent to what Rihanna was later shown doing in the music video for the song. The song was also included on the set list of the 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...
(2010–11).
Track listing
- Rockstar 101 Remixes (Masterbeat.com)
- "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Radio) — 4:18
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Pop Rock Radio) — 3:58
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Rockin Radio) — 3:57
- "Rockstar 101" (Loose Cannons Black Guitar R-Licks Radio) — 3:46
- "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teachers Pet Fix Extended) — 4:28
- "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teachers Pet Fix Extended) — 4:28
- "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Club) — 7:52
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Pop Rock Mix) — 7:37
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Rockin Club Mix) — 7:51
- "Rockstar 101" (Loose Cannons Black Guitar R-Licks Extended) — 5:54
- "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Dub) — 6:44
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Power Dub) — 7:20
- Rockstar 101: The Remixes (iTunes StoreITunes StoreThe iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
)
- "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teacher's Pet Fix) — 3:51
- "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teacher's Pet Fix) — 3:51
- "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Radio) — 4:18
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Pop Rock Radio) — 3:58
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Rockin Radio) — 3:57
- "Rockstar 101" (Loose Cannons Black Guitar R-Licks Radio) — 3:46
- "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teachers Pet Fix Extended) — 4:28
- "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teachers Pet Fix Extended) — 4:28
- "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Club) — 7:52
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Pop Rock Mix) — 7:37
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Rockin Club Mix) — 7:51
- "Rockstar 101" (Loose Cannons Black Guitar R-Licks Extended) — 5:54
- "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Dub) — 6:44
- "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Power Dub) — 7:20
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Rated R.- Terius "The-Dream" NashThe-DreamTerius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty – SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer... - Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The-Dream" Nash – ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Ross Parkin – Assistant recorder
- 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 production - Marcos Tovar, Brian "B-LUV" Thomas, Andrew Wuepper, Chris "TEK" O’Ryan and Pat Thrall for Rihanna. – EngineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Luis Navarro, AJ Clark, Jason Sherwood and Steven Dennis – Assisstant EngineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Jaycen Joshua at Penua Project at Larrabee Studios, Universal CityUniversal City, CaliforniaUniversal City is a community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, that encompasses the 415 acre property of Universal Studios...
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia 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...
, United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
– MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Giancarlo Lino – Assistant mixerAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Monte Neuble – Additional keysKey (instrument)A key is a specific part of a musical instrument. The purpose and function of the part in question depends on the instrument.On instruments equipped with tuning machines, violins and guitars, for example, a key is part of a tuning machine. It is a worm gear with a key shaped end used to turn a cog,...
- Tim Stewart – GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- The Boom Boom Room, Burbank, CaliforniaBurbank, CaliforniaBurbank 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, United States; Serenity Sound Studios, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos 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, United States and Triangle Sound Studios, Atlanta, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States. – RecordingRecordingRecording is the process of capturing data or translating information to a recording format stored on some storage medium, which is often referred to as a record or, if an auditory medium, a recording....
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA 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... ) |
24 |
| 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... |
64 |
| 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 Dance Club Songs |
2 |
Radio and release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | May 18, 2010 | 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... radio |
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... |
| June 2, 2010 | Digital Remixes (Masterbeat.com) | ||
| July 13, 2010 | Digital Remixes (iTunes Store ITunes Store The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States... ) |
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| Australia | July 19, 2010 | Mainstream radio |