From The Vault: Rihanna – ‘What’s My Name (ft. Drake)’

Published: Sunday 16th Feb 2020 by Joe

Today’s From The Vault pick comes courtesy of Pop princess, Rihanna.

As the world (im)patiently waits for her musical return, we take it back to her more active days: this week’s selection is ‘What’s My Name?’

Rolled out as the second single from Rih’s fifth studio album ‘Loud,’ the track was released in 2010. Helmed by a musical dream team, comprising of production duo Stargate and wordsmith Ester Dean, it was the first of many collaborations between the Bajan belle and Canadian titan – and rumored love interest – Drake.

As has been the case with most of RiRi’s releases in the early 2010’s, this was a huge hit. Uniquely, it reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 before the parent album’s lead single ‘Only Girl (In The World)’ did a few weeks later. It was also a chart topper in the UK and managed to peak inside the Top 5 in Canada and Norway.

***********

The music video for the cut was directed by Philip Andelman and Raam Kapoor. Though select interior shots were filmed in Mumbai, the bulk of the action takes place on the Lower East Side of New York City.

In all its pedestrian glory, it follows the singer as she makes her way to a bonfire party, with a small detour at the local convenient store where Drizzy awaits. Sporting the era’s signature red hair-do, she glowed as she strut down the streets of Manhattan with style and elegance.

***********

Funny what a 10 year difference can make. Back then, the consensus what Rihanna was releasing too much music too soon. Now the world at large is singing a whole other tune.

We’re pretty sure a successful comeback is on the cards for Ms. Fenty. Still, we seriously hope that by the time she is ready to unleash her next musical offering, it will be something cool, fresh and edgy like the material on her last project ‘ANTI’ but also instant and catchy a la ‘What’s My Name?’ and other songs in that lane.

Rih, we’re ready.

Your thoughts?

Posted under:

Comments 14

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Nicky February 16, 2020

    Oh NANA.

    ??????

    Camicky copied with Havana.

    Dumb girl can never do anything on her own

    Rih doesn’t know or care for Camicky. Poor girl .

    • I love big black c** February 16, 2020

      Ikr and Jlo’s I’m into you & Selena Gomez’s come & get it as well. Wonder why all the Latinas love to sing na na na

    • Only Facts February 16, 2020

      Nicky you kill me ??

  2. I love big black c** February 16, 2020

    One of her best songs which is truly show off her vocal and I miss all the star gate produced bops….

  3. ??‍♀️Jazzy Da Bi Asian ??‍♀️Not ? TROLLmine ??‍♀️Nor ? TRASHmine February 16, 2020

    I love this song

  4. #Formulation February 16, 2020

    I love this song x

  5. Clarks0oñ February 16, 2020

    Rihanna didnt write the song.

    Infact Rihanna didnt write almost all her number 1’s.
    I was dissappionted when I discovered this information.

    • Only Facts February 16, 2020

      Whitney Houston didn’t write most of her music, does that make her any less talented? Most artists these days go harmonies stealing writing credits from talented songwriters (unfortunately B is one of them). It’s clear Camila steals her songwriting credits on her biggest hits. Why is the writing more mature on Senorita than the rest of Nomance? Why is the writing on Havana more mature than the rest of her first album? Charli XCX is responsible for writing Senorita, b*tch! It’s clear Camila is not a sophisticated songwriter because you can tell when she writes the ?
      ***CAMILA CABELLO’S SONGWRITING IS THE EQUIVALENT OF TYLER PERRYS WRITING ?***

      • Clarks0oñ February 16, 2020

        Blah blah blah
        U really wrote all that essay and to u it made sense?
        ???

        I have driven u mad. Lol
        And I like it.
        ????

  6. Caribbean Native February 16, 2020

    Wow how blessed are we that we get to live in a time where this cut made it to the vault

  7. Paulo February 16, 2020

    One of my favs from Rih. Loud era had some SMASH hits ??????

  8. Jeans February 16, 2020

    My favorite Rihanna song! Still a bop!

  9. Only Facts February 16, 2020

    LOUD will FOREVER be my favorite Rihanna album! Justice for “Skin”! That song deserved a video! R9 please come soon!

  10. Meme February 16, 2020

    Golden years.

    Fun fact: My Ali has been the same since this era.

Recommended Posts
..**