HIDDEN GEMS: RIHANNA
Bad Girl Rihanna Runs The World
Eight studio albums to Rihanna’s name, and with fans still in awe over her illustrious music career, it is only right that the entry to follow “Queen Bey” is “Caribbean Queen.”
Only 32, the Barbados native has a lot left in her musical career. Let’s pay tribute to her already-decorated tenure.
Music of the Sun – Rush
The then-teenage heartthrob offered a dynamic twist to pop music. Like Beyoncé, she blended pop, R&B, and shades of dance hall into her music.
An example is the song Rush. Aptly named for its uptempo beat, it offers the soothing sounds of the budding star, with Sean Paul-Esque beats that bring you right back to the 2000s.
A Girl Like Me – P.S. (I’m Still Not Over You)
One of Rihanna’s attributes is getting in her zone with R&B.
P.S. (I’m Still Not Over You) offers the soft, melodic vibes of Rihanna, embedded in young heartbreak.
This song offers context to a tale that is so relatable.
Good Girl Gone Bad – Breakin’ Dishes
In retrospect, it might not have aged well due to the context.
But there’s energy. The sheer power of this song alone warrants a spot as a hidden gem as it captured the sound of the more mature, transparent good girl gone bad.
Rated R – Cold Case Love
By late 2009, an elegant, eccentric feel that Rihanna had turned into Rated R. And while this album had many hits, the song that should get more appreciation is Cold Case Love.
The beat. The vocals. They all complimented the unabashed vibe that is its story.
Loud – Skin
Shoutout to Nicki Minaj and Rihanna for Raining Men. They released an anthem for all the women living their best life at all costs.
That aside, the sex anthem that is Skin stands as her best-kept secret in this album.
Talk that Talk – Roc Me Out
Remember what we said about Skin?
Well, add an electronic beat to the vibe. Switch up the tempo, and you have your sex-anthem, Rihanna’s Rock Me Out.
Unapologetic – Numb
More for Eminem’s underrated feature, this installment was a song that had cult fanfare from Rihanna fans worldwide but lost steam.
Eminem, as a feature for hip-hop enthusiasts, is a guarantee of a marquee song at best. At worst? A gem.
Anti – Same Ol’ Mistakes
Tame Impala fans? You’ve come to the right place. Rihanna’s cover of Tame Impala’s New Person, Same Old Mistakes, is all about trying to find love in the soothing sounds of Riri.
A voice that all have longed for since her 2016 album, the speculation is running wild about a new project.
With her legion of fans, we all dream that the talk turns into reality.
