Rihanna Gets ‘Loud’ with New Music and Image

Rihanna is serving as this week’s Billboard cover girl, and is delving into everything from the sound of her forthcoming album Loud, to the state of mind she was in during the recording of her last album, Good Girl Gone Bad. It’s no secret that over the past two years, the pop star has had her fair share of good and bad publicity, but this time she plans to focus on the positive. Focusing on the positive is apparent with the singer’s new hairstyle, which are shoulder-length fire-engine red curls, giving her a softer look from the previous short black ‘do. The first single from Loud, due in stores Nov. 16, “Only Girl (In The World),” shows Rihanna’s confidence with her singing over synths and bass, and demanding the full attention of her significant other. The song is produced by Norwegian duo Stargate, and two weeks ago it hit #3 on the Hot 100, making this the 22-year-old’s 16th top 10 hit. “This is the truest Rihanna album yet because it sounds the most like her first one,” said Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Island/Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) chairman/CEO. “‘Pon De Replay’ [2005 debut single], that was obviously Rihanna at her purest, with that Caribbean-flavored dance-pop music. After that, she went in many different directions only to find herself right back where she really started. Though I think the songs are much better now, her growth as a vocalist is really evident.” Loud is shaping up to be an important album for Rihanna, after Rated R’s less than stellar album sales with 980,000 copies sold. Her 2005 debut, Music of the Sun sold 594, 000 copies, making 2007’s Good Girl Gone Bad her best-selling album to date, selling 2.6 million copies. “Rated R shows that I wasn’t a shallow artist,” said the singer. “I have some depth. There was definitely some growth, going through that dark moment in my life.” Rihanna has had the most success in the mainstream top 40, and since “Pon De Replay,” she has had 21 entries on Billboard’s Mainstream top 40 chart, with six #1’s. “She’s clearly multi-format, but the challenge is, which format is hers?” said Reid. “I think she owns rhythm and top 40, but we do suffer a little because we don’t have urban on lock. When you have a black girl from the islands, you want to have urban on lock. So on of the goals that we had was to not force that, but to try and make records we thought were hits and where she could shine.” “The challenge is complicated when you’re making music that sonically appeals to a dance/top 40 audience,” said Ebro Darden,WQHT (Hot 97) New York Program Director. “When Rihanna makes music that fits the appeal of hip-hop we play it.” On Loud, Rihanna collaborated with songwriter Ester Dean, whose recent work includes Usher’s “Hot Tottie,” on the songs “S&M,” “Fading Away,” and the album’s second single “What’s My Name.” A remix of “What’s My Name” will feature rapper Drake. Deans says that Rihanna only tries to sound like herself and sings songs because she loves them. To aid in the songwriting process for this album, Rihanna and her team held songwriting camps in Los Angels and Miami where 100 writers and producers were invited to collaborate on songs for consideration on Loud. With this new album, Rihanna is making it a priority to connect with her fans, by allowing herself to be more accessible. This past August, she took over her Twitter account, which was only being used by the record label for announcements. She chose to debut the title of her album on her fansite, RihannaDaily.com, and posted images of her album cover and artwork on Facebook and Twitter which directed fans to her official website RihannaNow.com. In the coming months Rihanna fans can expect a contest to find the “loudest fan in the world” and a Doritos campaign will be launching in the coming weeks. She will also be launching her first fragrance called Reb’l Fleur, which is taken from the tattoo on her neck which reads “rebelled fleur.”

Rihanna is one of the most celebrated music artists in the world today. With a string of hit songs, she has become an international pop icon. Now, Rihanna is back with her new album ‘Loud’ and it looks like she’s ready to make some serious noise!

From the sultry single “Only Girl (in the World)” to upbeat dance track “S&M,” Rihanna has crafted an eclectic collection of tunes that are sure to have fans singing along at every turn. On top of this, Rihanna is also introducing a whole new image for herself – from her fashion sense to her attitude – which promises to be just as loud as her latest musical offerings.

With so many exciting changes on the horizon, now is the perfect time for us to take a closer look at what makes Rihanna such an influential figure in popular culture today. So come join us as we explore how Rihanna gets ‘loud’ with new music and image!

Overview Of Album And Style

Rihanna’s newest album, Loud, is a mix of upbeat dance tunes and slow R&B ballads. With this new release, the singer has embraced a more mature image while maintaining her signature sound.

The first single off the album, “Only Girl (In The World),” was just as successful on radio airwaves as it was in clubs around the world. This track set the tone for what fans could expect from her latest effort: high energy pop music with catchy hooks that are sure to get people dancing. It also showcased Rihanna’s ability to create an infectious beat by blending multiple genres together.

Other tracks like “Man Down” and “What’s My Name?” feature slower tempos but still have Rihanna’s unique flair—a perfect blend of reggae-inspired melodies and soulful R&B vocals. These songs provide a glimpse into her personal life while staying true to her core style. Ultimately, they serve as proof that Rihanna hasn’t lost touch with who she is despite changing up her look and sound over time.

Overall, Loud showcases a wide range of sounds and styles which demonstrate why Rihanna continues to be one of the most beloved artists today. From upbeat club bangers to mellow love songs, there really is something for everyone on this record – making it clear why it deserves all the acclaim it’s been receiving.

Analysis Of Image Transformation

Alongside her musical evolution, Rihanna’s image has also changed drastically over the years. From her early days as a teen singer to the modern day artist she is now, it’s clear that growth and maturity have played a major role in how she presents herself.

The music videos for songs on Loud are an example of this transformation. In “What’s My Name?” we see Rihanna sporting a more grown-up look with long hair and bright makeup – a far cry from her earlier short hairstyles and minimalistic style. This change was further highlighted by the video for “Man Down,” where she takes on darker themes like violence and revenge while maintaining her signature sultry aura.

These visuals paired with her new sound show that Rihanna isn’t afraid to take risks when it comes to her artistry; something which fans can appreciate as they get to witness the continued development of their favorite star. With each album release, we get another glimpse into who Rihanna is becoming—and based off of what we’ve seen so far, there’s no limit to what she can achieve.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rihanna’s transformation on her latest album “Loud” is nothing short of remarkable. She has taken a bold step towards rebranding herself and it seems to be paying off. Her edgier sound and look have given her an edge over other artists in the music industry, while still keeping true to her roots.

Rihanna’s new image speaks volumes about how she sees herself as an artist; strong, fearless and confident. It also conveys a message for those who doubt themselves or feel like they don’t fit into society’s standards that there are no limits when you believe in yourself. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see such drastic changes from Rihanna as she continues to push boundaries with her artistry.

Finally, if there is one thing we can learn from Rihanna’s journey it is that nothing is impossible with enough drive and dedication. Even though change can be intimidating at first, it doesn’t mean it should be avoided altogether – sometimes taking risks and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones leads us to greater heights than we could ever imagine!

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