10 million albums in the US. 190 million singles worldwide.
For Rihanna, the last decade might be described as a dream come true, rising from potential one hit wonder status in 2005 to heights some might argue are iconic, now considered competition by artists she once considered heroes.
Alas, as she gears up to release her eighth studio album, the entertainer finds herself forced to push a lead single some consider to be her weakest to date, doing all of nothing to spark interest in its parent album in the way a new Rihanna single should.
So, ever keen to keep to let you know what’s been on our minds, we’re dedicating this edition of That Grape Juice A&R to Riri’s eighth studio album!
Fresh ideas below…
After watching Beyonce make a better meal out of her “bad girl” recipe, it became pretty clear that Ms. Fenty was in dire need of a new angle.
Unfortunately, while “stripped back and artistic” Rihanna seems nice on paper, it doesn’t seem all that plausible when one remembers that the ‘Only Girl in the World‘ is an excellent Pop star, only excelling when armed with the bells and whistles she now seems to be stripped of.
So, what’s a girl to do when tasked with pushing an older & wiser new era to young and excitable fans?
Offer a “braver” version of what’s already worked.
If Katy Perry’s ‘Prism’ taught us anything it’s that the same product can be sold twice pretty easily if one knows how to alter the packaging.
Indeed, when one really thinks about it, what did Perry say on the supposedly dark and daring ‘Prism’ that she didn’t say on the sickly sweet ‘Teenage Dream’?.
Ok.
So, if we were tasked with handling R8’s direction we’d place the star at the forefront of R&B with a “flavasome” LP, presenting her as a soulful gold coin in a box full of manufactured silvers.
Led by Clean Bandit-style singles, the project would see Rihanna get her ‘Velvet Rope’ on with cuts that go deeper than she’s ever gone before, pairing controversial themes with catchy melodies and seemingly PG friendly lyrics that only show their true meanings when dissected by the critics she’s no doubt eager to impress.
Peep our mock track list below.
1. Clean Bandit – ‘Extraordinary.’
2. Lana Del Rey – ‘Summertime Sadness (Reggae Remix.)’
3. Santogold – ‘I’m A Lady.’
4. Chris Brown – ‘Loyal.’
5. Stromae – ‘Tous Le Memes.’
6. Janet Jackson – ‘What About.’
7. Madonna – ‘Bad Girl.’
8. I Wayne – ‘I Need Her In My Arms.’
9. Tracy Chapman – ‘For My Lover.’
10. Everything But The Girl – ‘Missing.’
11. Adinah Howard – ‘Freak Like Me.’
12. Sting – ‘Shape of my Heart.’
13. Janet Jackson – ‘Together Again.’
Do you agree?
Weigh in below!