Looking at Rihanna‘s post ‘Umbrella’ success, it’s hard to believe she was once labelled a one-hit-wonder. Today we journey back to 2006 – just before she cemented her “here to stay” status.
This week’s From The Vault pick is ‘Unfaithful’.
The follow up to 80’s kissed ’S.O.S,’ ‘Unfaithful’ was the work of winning squad Stargate and Ne-Yo; a collective who’d craft a slew of other hits for her down the line.
Serviced as Ms. Fenty’s first ballad single, it was quite a risk given the domination of danceable cuts. Yet, it would quickly become apparent, the pick paid off as the track became the stunner’s third US and UK Top 10 – peaking at #6 and #2 respectively during Summer 2006. With the single reaching the Top 10 of several European countries, it was safe to say RiRi had almost completely done away with the notion of being a novelty act.
Based on the 2002 movie of the same name – starring Richard Gere, the song’s accompanying visual saw Ri stray on her boyfriend. A visual mirroring of the lyrics, she is depicted feeling remorseful about the act. The cinematic piece showcased a more mature side of the star; one that would only heighten comparisons to idol-turned-rival Beyonce (who is routinely praised for being able to do it all). It was the first of many Rihanna videos directed by Anthony Mandler.
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Kudos to Def Jam for releasing this track as a single; for not only did the gamble paid off, it was a huge brick in the wall that is RiRi’s giant sized career.
The song reclaimed the narrative concerning her voice (or lack-thereof) and made her an act capable of selling an “emotional” ballad. This, in spite of whether folk thought her vocals fit or not. Most importantly, they gave her that real, raw and relatable appeal that’s been her unique selling point ever since. Indeed, she wasn’t the scorned female, the victim, instead she was the abuser, the guilty one, the bad girl.
And just like that, a star was really born and – as they say – the rest is history.
After a decade and some change in the game, how much more mileage do you think “that Rihanna reign” has left in it?
![Extended Trailer: Prime Video's 'Cruel Intentions' Series [Starring Savannah Lee Smith, Sarah Catherine Hook, & Zac Burgess]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cruel-intentions-prime-trailer-tv-adaptation-thatgrapejuice-2024-464x260.jpg "Extended Trailer: Prime Video's 'Cruel Intentions' Series [Starring Savannah Lee Smith, Sarah Catherine Hook, & Zac Burgess].")
Really loved and still love this song, very emotional and hits you right at the core. Rihanna’s amazing unique voice and her style of singing brought out a certain emotion in the song only she can do, and she does it very well.
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It sounds better today, with her fuller and richer voice. Rihanna has come a long way, glad to be part of the journey.
One of the the greatest songs of all time tbh
LMFAO
LMAO!!!!
Lmao y’all ain’t shît. Ya’ll wrong! Don’t laugh! People have opinions ahahahaha?
The ability to pierce the very core of your heart with every lyric, only Rihanna can do that
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r07n_oqPSEo
There you go Lamont B. Starting a Stan war as usual with your subliminal shade. You don’t even truly Stan Rihanna. You’re always on YouTube STALKING and stanning Mariah videos.
No shade, but then your IQ level is below retardation level, so nothing suprising with your dumb a$5 comment.
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Go troll somoene else cretin.
She sounded like a wounded cat….just terrible!!!!
Ciara is working with a vocal coach sis, be patient
Rihanna is terrible all around.
This song was all over the radio that year! SOS got my attention but this song made me say “ok…this girl might be around for a while.” Neyo did a great job writing this song.
This song is a classic.This was when I wasn’t use to Rihanna’s voice.
Are these people really that uneducated and do they have such low standards???? A classic this song???? Rihanna is the only one who can pierce the core of your heart???? LMAO These guys a joke of epic proportions.
I just came from yesterdays post about Canadian charts… and to my surprise I just found that the chart was created in 2007!!! LMAO One more reason to understand her “achievements” are a joke.
She was cute in this video btw.
Awww, upset that you can’t compare your 1890’s artist chart achievements?
Sis you Stan someone that the new generation doesn’t even know tho…???
Cheryl
Exactly. It´s hilarious to see him repeating the same things about me when he stans for a forgotten semi star from like 15 years ago people around the world don´t know about.
Mark
Nah, not upset. Saying truths and defending talent makes me pretty happy. Everybody who has some achievements singles wise but that aren´t matched by the same type of album success is a joke to me. Rihanna´s achievements singles wise are a joke too when you analyze them. Just that. How many singles has she released this year already as desperate trials at forgettable #1 singles? Not counting the ones from her cancelled album from last year I mean 🙂
Don’t know whether to NOT MY HEAD to this true T or just SHAKE MY HEAD in this sadness
at*
Kiiiiiiii I remember hearing these struggle vocals on the radio. Kudos for becoming so successful
Bc we all thought she was trash after hearing this ☕️
Trash like Chav?
Yeah like ur fave?
Pop classic. This album was a perfect balance of Pop, dance and r&b. It was Kisses Don’t Lie that made me realize that this girl is something different. We Ride, Dem Haters, Finally Goodbye, Break It Off (a top 10 with no music video), P.S, A Girl Like Me and Million Miles Away were great songs. You could tell that the Island songs were left over cuts from her first album that came out 6 month prior.
And that’s why I flopped kiiiii
Lol, fail much?
Fail? It flopped kiiii. No one used her until umbrella. Seethe on that
You still don’t get it. Read your comment again fool. Lol
I got it the first time boo. The funny thing is you coming for a typo when you’re at a 5th grade grammar level. You are a kiiiii sis.
CherylSoldierr says:
+3
-1
Vote
And that’s why I flopped kiiiii
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I don’t have to say any more after that.
You clearly did seeing as you’re seething over my presence on Twitter. Keep clinging to the grave sis
Awwww this was before Cierror ‘ s career pulled a Aliyaah on us and went to R.I.P
Grape holding my comments!!
Let me post my comment kiii
This actually is a good song and the video is so simple and not trying so hard
This just shows rihanna has made very to no little growth musically.
Pop classic this album??? Girl, say it was cute for you and move on. Do you even listen to any great music?
LMAO One has heard it all now.
She was really lucky they kept forcing her down people´s throats cause this was her second album people didn´t show any interest in. It had to be with Umbrella and Jay-Z (the first of the endless list of features/collabs) with her 3rd album when people started to buy an album from her. Others would have been dropped after the first two attempts. And even from that moment on it just has been basic album sales one after the other, decent at best. Compared to the supposedly huge success singles wise. A joke. Anti couldn´t see the light of day last year and they had to re-record it to do Work type of songs again cause she was not getting any bland #1 this go round. So they planned Work and now, seeing how none of her 6 singles from the album are going to #1 either, they have prepared several features to try and get one more. It´s appalling. I heard Anti still has not sold in 6 months what Lemonade sold ina week??? LMAO (not a Beyonce fan like you all know but come on!).
I´m not even interested in charts when it comes to defending an artist. Talent is the real deal. But seeing how these rihanna fans are always thinking she slays one has to put things in their place 🙂
John, Anti is selling at a slow rate because of the free downloads.Samsung bought the album, she made her coins.What don’t you b****** understand? Stop acting like work was EDM/pop.It’s very urban.Nobody expected it to reach #1.
I used to love this song and I still do
johnvidal always getting mad af,lolz.the fact that Robyn is still alive and killing the game pisses him off BT who cares?? she’s going nowhere, no matter what you say,no matter how many long text you write, she p*** on your fave.deal with it
are yall basic whitch phaaaggg bishes that flipin pressed to even down my comment with no negativity? ????
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show your crocodile scaled mug and hynena fur hair over my reply and catch this drag!!!!!
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I’ll personally drag your worthless sinsful soul to tye deepest part of hell amd live your miserable, broke dark soul there for eternity!!!!!!!
I go to the gym for a few hours and come back and this old man is writing books on here. Giving J.K Rowling a run for her Harry Potter money. Dude, no one reads your long, always crying and clinging to the past charts novels. If you want to stan for artist from the past, that’s cool. But to compare chart stats from 20/30 years ago to today is stupid. If you’re go anti today, then turn off your internet, go buy a home phone, a tube TV and stfu. lol
” Dude, no one reads your
long, always crying and clinging to
the past charts novels”
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I am here to clock ya a$s , John stans TALENT, something your fave lacks and I READ JOHN’S COMMENTS
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#BYE
@SkidMark Next time make sure you swallow! I heard that spünk is a good source of protein. You would know all about protein, since you claim to be at the gym every weekend and yet you’re posted on TGJ 24/7 typing irrelevant comments. Work dem fingertips out boo boo!
Not Aaliyah stans talking about ppl clinging to the past. I am SCREAMING
TBH i start stanning for Rihanna after Disturbia. Before i thought she was a copying Bey and can’t sing .Then with disturbia i saw potential and difference. Now i enjoyed her first 2 albums but we can’t deny it was not so good and vocally she just had a cute tone at this time. She learned how to sing with time. She is really the definition of artistic growth.
This was biggggg in the Caribbean. …..they played it 3 times every hour. … this cemented her versitality in the game…..
Ne-yo wrote the song for rihanna and the song is good
It’s such a KIIII seeing this song and video. I didn’t care too much for the song, but I thought it was cute. I loved S.O.S. because it reminded me of Britney. Can’t believe Rihanna would become my fav a year later. 9 years of Navy or Die.