Rihanna‘s smash-hit ‘Diamonds’ was almost not hers.
The song’s producer, Benny Blanco, recently reflected on the origins of the 2012 chart-topper – which he wrote and produced with Sia and Stargate – in a new interview with Apple Music‘s Zane Lowe. During the interview, he revealed the surprising artist who originally recorded the song.
His words below…
“Stargate’s like, ‘Yo, we’re giving this song to Rihanna. It’s going to go.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, man. Should we keep the beat for Kanye? I don’t know about it.'”
Around this same time, the song was submitted to Eminem’s manager for consideration and Eminem ended up cutting the record.
“I remember, at the same time, I had given a beat CD like a month earlier to Paul Rosenberg to give to Eminem. And apparently, Eminem had done a song to it, too. And I didn’t even know. And I’m sitting there… Dude, so when it happened, Paul was like, ‘Man, Em had that beat on hold.’ I was like, ‘What? I didn’t even know.'”
The song then eventually found its way to Em’s frequent collaborator Rihanna, a decision Blanco does not regret.
“I’m sitting there, and then I finally am like, ‘You know what, Stargate?’ I let go. I said, ‘You guys know better. Let’s do it.’ She cut the song. First of all, the second she cut the song, they were completely right. I was like, ‘This is the best song I’ve ever done.'”
Fate still worked in Kanye’s favor as he ended up on the remix of the song.
Watch Blanco’s full interview below…
It’s amazing that Rihanna could turn those leftover tracks into solid GOLD #1 songs 💅🏿 SOS was offered to Christina milian first and she was considered the song is too pop for her urban sounds. Umbrella was offered to Mary J & Britney Spears, But they both turn it down.
Nicole scherzinger had we found love first but she passed it on also.
Rihanna really knows a hit when she hears one. So talented.
Beyonce’s pretty hurts was offered to Rihanna and she rejected it. Lol
Rihanna knew that song was trash.
Beyonce took the song and recorded it and it flopped. Didnt chart.
Beyonce’s doesnt know a hit even if u put it right in front of her. This is why she needs her dad Matthew .
Where did camilas “living proof” chart after all of those performances she did? Where did “easy” chart after all of those performances she did? Let’s not talk about anyone’s flops, especially not Beyoncé who has more Grammys than any other artist. Girl gone and get that colonoscopy, but don’t come for the legends
All this talk until u ask them when last normani saw the inside of the billboard hot 100 and then its crickets
All this mouth until u ask them to show u normani’s album, solo top 10 hit or Grammy nominations, and then its crickets
Normani stans, stay out of successful artist business.
Rihanna employs normani to model her fenty underwear. 🤣🤣. Rihanna pays normani’s bills.
Be humble.
U stan a fenty model.
All this deflecting lmao..ask Clarkson why Camila didn’t chart and it will bring up Normani. You obsessed fool! You say her name everyday how the f*** isn’t your brain dried to dust by now.
We don’t care about him.
Didn’t you just say “don’t come for the legends?”
BEST-SELLING RAPPER EVER.
Sit down, p** in boots 🐖🥾
So many songs Rihanna made HITS that would have not been massive had they gone to other artist. They didn’t want Umbrella, SOS or Diamonds to go to Rihanna originally. Pretty ironic because if Mary J, Christina Milan and Em had gotten those songs believe you and me they would have all flopped.
Because they’re terrible. SOS especially.
Can’t believe Christina Milian chose “Say I“ instead of SOS. “ say iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, say iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii’ that song used to get on my nerve, annoying af. SOS is catchy and radio friendly. What a bop💅🏿💅🏿💅🏿