After keeping the fans waiting, Drake releases the Yoann Lemoine-directed video for the Rihanna-assisted “Take Care.” Drake also makes up for the extra wait with a video release for “HYFR (Hell Yeah Fu**in’ Right)” featuring Lil Wayne. Watch the aesthetically pleasing videos after…

Drake ~ Take Care Feat. Rihanna from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.

About two years ago when we first posted on Rita Ora we had no idea that in 2012 she would still be… oh wait, about a week ago Jay-Z accompanied the Roc Nation signee to z100 to premiere “Party & Bullshit” (“How We Do (Party))” for radio format) in the US, not to be confused with the work of Notorious B.I.G. You see, Ora has been lighting up the UK charts with her feature on DJ Fresh‘s “Hot Right Now.” Still, at that time, there was no decision on when Ora would cross the pond.

A week later, some paparazzi photos of Ora with boss, Jay-Z and the premiere of a brand new single “R.I.P.,” featuring Tinie Tempah, and we’re still wondering why so sudden, why? Rihanna, yes we will take it there. We have no doubt that Jay-Z is upset with Rihanna for her decisions last week to release music with Chris Brown. So is Jay-Z truly confident in Ora, is he prepping Ora as backup in case Rihanna misses a step in the eye of the public or is Ora an eventual replacement due to career decisions made by both parties?

Be that as it may, let’s speak a little about Rita Ora. We find her to have a likeable personality, eye-catching blonde hair and true talent. But like the title of her song, we think these recent premieres are bullshit. This girl is talented and can have her own sonic identity. This new Drake-penned (Listen to Drake’s… HERE) and Chase & Status-produced sounds so forced. We can go on but a reason why the females who are at the top of the Pop world are where they are is because they debuted with their own sound. We like Ora but the fact that Jay-Z is suddenly pushing her with such mediocre material makes it seem like a motive of ulterior purposes.

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Whilst everyone sings the Dr. Luke-produced “You Da You Da One,” we are just won over by track number five, “Cockiness (Love It).” This marks the first time that Rihanna and Mr. Bangladesh have worked together and our question is, why is this just happening?

“…Suck My Cockiness, Lick My Persuasion
I Love It, Love It, Love It When You Eat It…”

“Cockiness…” is Rihanna in her rawest and most urban form, to date. Truly, this is a sound we want to hear Rihanna sink further into; a total knocker for the club crowd. Bangladesh always brings the Bass and that’s just what he’s done and more. Talk That Talk is being described as Rihanna’s most “erotic” album to date and a song like this definitely supports that. Listen to the Candice Pillay and D. Loernathy-written track after…

The latest Jay-Z and Rihanna collab has arrived. The last time these two did a collaboration, for a RiRi album, was for Good Girl Gone Bad. Y’know, it was that little song named “Umbrella,” the one that catapulted Rihanna into the Popstar she is today. Now, how does this new song compare…

Where “Umbrella,” was a ten (considered to be the best Pop song of the noughties by opinion) “Talk That Talk” is a five, maybe even a six or seven. The Ester Dean, Stargate and Diddy-backed song is enjoyable but isn’t great. Also, Rihanna’s a little more grown so she can have a profanity spitting Jay-Z on the track. With a more urban than Pop sound don’t expect this to be a global smash but definitely expect it to sit comfortably on US urban radio formats. Listen after…

It’s been announced that “You Da One” will be the next single.. From a brief listen, we hear some BANGERZ okay; check “Cockiness (Love It)” and “Birthday Cake.” Listen to the preview after…

Rihanna just made things 90% official by posting an album of photos on her official Facebook page confirming Talk That Talk‘s track list. Confirming that the songs are not in the final order as well as a track or two being changed, viewers now have an idea of the direction of the album. It seems to be the favored and usual direction of ballads and energetic uptempos. Rihanna confirmed “Answer” will not make the track list as well as “Saxon” being titled “Red Lipstick.” “Saxon” also happens to be the name of a Chase & Status Dubstep instrumental (listen after…) Rihanna also confirmed that the album will have only one feature, claiming “we got the best!!!!!” We have a feeling this album may have a surprise hit or two.

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When “We Found Love” was initially released, some were underwhelmed and some fancied it. It was the first time a Rihanna single did not rush to the top of the iTunes chart. Fast forward and the official music video was released. The video did something magical and turned every listener who questioned the song into certified lovers of it. Just this past weekend it was a shock to see the crowd’s reaction, in the club, when the song started playing.

“We Found Love” bumped Adele’s “Someone Like You” from the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 to take its place. Rihanna is now in good company as she passes Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder, both of whom had 10 #1′s. Rihanna now follows Whitney Houston (11), the Supremes (12), Madonna (12), Michael Jackson (13), Mariah Carey (18) and the Beatles (20). Now let’s see if Talk That Talk, her sixth album, will go #1 on the Billboard 200 in its first week. Speaking #1, Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto tops the 200 this week with about 447,000 copies sold. If you haven’t, check out the addictive “We Found Love” after…

Rihanna, about to release her sixth studio album in six years… and the information is starting to pour in. The news came last weekend that the first single from the project is produced by DJ Calvin Harris. Then came along a tweet “Sometimes it feels like we find love in the most hopeless place” followed by the confirmed title of “We Found Love.”

Just yesterday, a release date of October 11 was announced for the single only to be pushed up three weeks to this Thursday, September 21. Overexposure comes to mind with these continuous brand new releases from Rihanna but the lady switches it up each time. On top of that, over on her Facebook page she is doing the “Unlock” promo idea that was used two years ago during her Rated R era.

Another year, another Rihanna studio LP. Yeap, Rihanna’s LOUD era is not even a year old but the Bajan is moving forward with a brand new album/era. Originally, there was to be a LOUD re-release but just the other day Rihanna confirmed the new album’s existence and confirmed its release for this Fall, yesterday.

Of course with a new album from Rihanna, there’s a look to match. Rih is taking a step in a more natural direction but most importantly is what will the music sound like? The Pop chameleon has tackled a great deal of genres from Reggae, Dancehall, Pop, Dance, Dubstep, R&B, etc… Well news (unconfirmed) has surfaced that Calvin Harris is behind the new album’s lead single. [SOURCE]

The single is described as a “total club banger.” If the this is indeed true and we’re going to make a judgement call then Rihanna is either going to give us another uptempo club album or give us another mix: not changing her direction too much this go around.

There’s no slowing down for Rihanna as her albums are finally starting to sell as much as her singles. Also, look out for Rihanna to appear on Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto on the track “Princess Of China.”

Review and photos brought to you by @steezurkel of Girls, Sounds & Sadomasochism.

Never in my life would I have thought I’d be writing about my Rihanna concert experience. This past week has been very overwhelming, feeling like I won an Academy Award or Grammy, but I digress.

The concert started exactly at 7:30pm, with opening act J. Cole, having an hour set. I’ve never been a fan of him until that night. He had the crowd rocking and screaming and even saying “I know a lot of you are wondering who the f#$k is this red boy on stage.” But at the end of the night he made himself known and earned my respect.

Up next the QUEEN, Rihanna, appeared in a large illuminated sphere opening with her best record yet “Only Girl (In The World).” At this point my heart was in my knees because to me this is all a dream to hear and see her do her thing.

Opening:
She then went on to do some of her greatest hits such as “Disturbia,” where she stripped down to a two piece mosaic looking outfit and went on to perform “Man Down” and “Shut Up and Drive.”

Take the jump for more, including photos.

Sex Section:
With a 10min set change Rihanna was on stage sitting in a high chair in a black tux singing Prince’s hit “Darling Nikki.” Let me tell you, this performance was sex, vocals and entertainment; one of my faves from the show. She then shed her tux and went into a another sexually charged performance, this time of “S&M” and it didn’t stop there. She then moved into the Magic City, late night special record “Skin” where she pulled an old guy on stage, gave him a lapdance and took his camera away from him and snapped his pic while she danced on top of him: BAD ASS!

Militant Life:
With a another set change Rihanna appeared on stage sitting on top of a tank while her dancers bounced around to “Raining Men,” while I hit my Dougie! She then got off the tank and go into “Hard.” In no time Rihanna was running through the crowd beating drums that had been set up in the middle of the arena, this girl was beating for her life! She got back on stage performing “Run This Town” and “Live Your Life.”

Heart to Heart:
Rihanna was now in her ballad section where she appeared in a box wearing a half cut dress singing “Unfaithful” while this guy stood next to me in tears as she sung. Up next she went into “California King Bed,” I was a little choked up at this point because I felt like this was for me and a little nervous because this is exactly where the concert in Dallas ended due to the fireworks causing the stage to catch fire, but it was fxuking AMAZING.

Island Life:
Time for ass shaking, with a video montage on the Olympic ring style screens on stage a “Pon De Replay” mashup starts playing and the crowd is swaying then Rihanna pops up from the stage screaming “OH NA NA” and you know what time it was! Then she slid into “Rude Boy” where her and her dancers brought the sex and fun once again!

Cheers:
Rih took a quick step to the back of the stage and emerged wearing white Ray Bans, interacting with the audience. A guy then walks out from backstage, gives her a shot glass and says ‘Ft. Lauderdale, this one’s to YOU!’ before performing “Cheers.” That is followed by “Don’t Stop The Music.”

Final Goodbye:
Rih was now sitting on the edge of the stage in what seems to be the final performance with “Take a Bow.” She talks about her being an island girl and her journey, as the song ends it seems to also be the end of the concert as she and her dancers wave bye and the crowd starts to leave (not me) but 5 minutes later a piano drops onto the stage and Rihanna appears now atop the floating Piano singing “Love The Way You Lie Pt. 2″ at this time everyone is running back inside trying to catch the performance. She then comes down for the final act of “Umbrella” and I’m sitting there heavy hearted as the confetti shoots from the ceiling as she waves goodbye. It was such an epic moment that was embedded in my mind!

Meeting the Queen:
It was now time for the “Meet & Greets.” We were at the back of the line so everyone got their pics out the way. We couldn’t see Rihanna because she was behind a curtain, but we could hear her… The minute I banked around the certain goes…

Rihanna: “Awwwwww look at you!”

Me: “OMG Rihanna you know who I am?!”

Rihanna: “Of course dummy STEEZURKEL!”

And she comes over to give me a hug and kiss, and at this moment my spirit just left my body. We then posed for pics and she took my shades! And to top it off, Mel (her bestfriend) told us to stay back and we stood there talking with her and taking pics. Rih even remembered my tattoo I showed her back in April via Twitter.

July 14, 2011 is a day I will never forget! Last year I was depressed in my room, because I missed the “Last Girl On Earth” tour because of a plane ticket but look at me now. This concert was everything and more and worth every dollar. I can’t say thank you enough to Rihanna for what she’s done for me; giving me passes to meet her and the advice she’s given me these past months, no one can ever compare to her in my eyes. After 6 years my ship has finally sailed in and I thank God for every moment of it.

Rihanna jetted down to Jamaica to shoot the video. Much like Drake’s “Find Your love,” Mandler uses the country of Jamaica to reveal another dark tale… The stereotype of Jamaica does not look like it will change anytime soon.

The video starts off with the climax, rewinds to an earlier time and progresses right before the big bang. Rihanna is the attractive village girl, sipping on cocnut water all day and interacting with her neighbours. She dances the night away at a yardie club, later that night, at which point a strange man imposes on Rihanna and starts to dance. It’s not too long before Rihanna pushes him away. As she leaves the club she is followed and taken advantage of. No visuals are shown but we are led to believe that she was raped.

A dark plot for a dark song; Rihanna is knockin’ them out one by one this era. View the video after…

Britney Spears hit the stage, not once but twice, at The 2011 Billboard Music Awards. The original Princess of Pop opened the show with Rihanna for the “Rihmix” to “S&M.” Much later, Spears hit the stage for a brief appearance during Nicki Minaj’s performance for “Till The World Ends.”

Both of the performances were what you have come to expect from Britney although the “S&M” was bit more memorable and entertaining. With Nicki Minaj’s performance, it just lacked overall. Minaj’s stage performances will make you cringe and then on top of that it was like Brintey Spears walked out to present an award whilst singing miming. But despite all of that people still love Britney Spears. Watch the videos after…

21152219597 by yardie4lifever2

Nicki by yardie4lifever2

Last night, two of the music industry’s shining talents took to the stage on American Idol. First up was Kelly Clarkson who performed her duet, “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” with Jason Aldean. No surprise there, Kelly Clarkson vocals were beautiful.

The eye opener of the night came in the form of Rihanna’s performance of “California King Bed.” Since the dawn of her career, Rihanna has been criticized for not being able to sing. Well years of work and growth, Rihanna delivered what probably was her best vocal performance of her career, thus far.

There was Beyoncé & Lady GaGa and now two other contemporary female Popstars are collaborating for a track. Yup, for the first time, Britney Spears’ name is at the end of a song’s title, as a feature. Spears has jumped on board Rihanna’s current radio hit, “S&M.”

With the recent crop of interviews from Britney Spears, this era, she has gone on about her like for Rihanna as well as the single. And just as easy as it probably was to get Spears to jump on the remix, the end product is just as easily forgettable. No more to say, just check out what will probably be Spears’ only feature.

Download audio file (Rihanna-feat-Britney-Spears-SM-Official-Remix.mp3)

Months ago Rihanna tweeted about her Vogue shoot, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Today, a sneek peak of the issue is unveiled. It won’t be long before we get a better view.

Also, Rihanna is down under, in Australia, wrapping up her Last Girl On Earth tour. Comedienne and host of the Chelsea Lately show, Chelsea Handler, is also in Australia this week. Rihanna sat down to be apart of the Handler fun. Check it out after…

The 2011 NBA All-Star game came to an end last night with The West taking the win and Kobe Bryant earning his fourth MVP trophy. For halftime entertainment, Rihanna took to the stage for a medley of her hits.

RiRi kicked things off with an orchestral version of her 4-year-old hit, “Umbrella.” She then moved into “Only Girl” before winin’ and grinin’ to “Rude Boy.” Once again, the flamin’ redhead brought out Drake for “What’s My Name.” This time around, the interaction between the two was a bit less bumpin’ and grindin’ and more flirty fun. To finish the performance off, Kanye West joined Rihanna for a performance of “All Of the Lights.” All in all, the visual of Rihanna kept us entertained.

Take the jump to view the video for “All Of the Lights,” which premiered over the weekend…

In what seemed as a last minute filler, the Grammy society had Rihanna perform her #1 single, “What’s My Name,” with Drake. “RAMPIN’.” STEAMY. SEX. All of that and more is what Rihanna and Drake displayed on stage last night at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

While not as good as her 2010 American Music Awards performance, the wining and grin’in’ Rihanna was doing on Drake was a naughty but pleasant reminder that the island gal isn’t as stiff as a piece of 2×4 when it comes to rhythm. Oh, let’s not forget Rihanna’s bejeweled crotch. Both Drake and Rihanna have a great deal of comfort with each other and hey, it didn’t make for the best performance of the night but it certainly kept our attention. View the performance after..

This year’s Grammy Awards were not as memorable as we thought it would had have been but nonetheless there were some performances to be remembered. The list goes a little something like this:

• Aretha Franklin tribute performed by Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams, Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch and Jennifer Hudson
• Lady Antebellum Medley
• Cee-Lo & Gwyneth Paltrow “Song otherwise known as ‘Forget You’”
• Mumford & Sons “The Cave”
• Arcade Fire “Month of May”
• Mick Jagger & Raphael Saadiq “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love”
• Janelle Monae “Cold War”
• Eminem, Rihanna, Skylar Grey & Dr. Dre Medley

WATCH ‘EM ALL HERE