Official Video: Rihanna featuring Drake - What's My Name?

Simultaneously released with its single, the video for What's My Name, Rihanna's second single off her fifth studio album loud was released a few days back.

On the video, it features Canadian rapper Drake. The song and the video reminds me a lot of Rihanna's 2007 collab with Ne-Yo with Hate That I Love You. The formula for the song and video is very much similar as well.

Take a look at it yourself:

What do you think?

Album Review: Rihanna - Loud

Rihanna's 5th studio album Loud landed in most markets today 15 Nov 2010. Though I got the leaked iTunes version, I'm still waiting to grab myself a physical copy of the album. 

Having done my initial listening sessions, I've really fallen in love deeper with Only Girl (In The World) and thought that it was the best choice as a lead single. The song speaks so much about the album's feel and character - fun, carefree, flirty, LOUD! The synths entagled in rich rhythm and drums plus the signature electro sound of Stargate makes a perfect club anthem! This song is sure to join the ranks of her other hits that will forever be etched in her career that launched her to stardom. Songs like Umbrella, Don't Stop The Music and Unfaithful. 

I also noticed the evolution of Rihanna's voice in the album, her range was higher, wider giving a vibrant impact on the album's loud attitude. This is mostly evident in Only Girl and Complicated

It was also confirmed by Rihanna's team that What's My Name (featuring Canadian R&B sensation Drake) will be the next single and the video is already being shot. My impression of the song is Stargate's Euro synthpop meets Rihanna's Barbadian singing style plus Drake's sexy voice. The result, a dancey, radio-friendly record but otherwise, forgettable. 

Other songs like the provocative S&M, which is another Stargate produced track was also confirmed to be the third single and an accompanying music video will also be released. Man Down is probably the most Barbadian-influenced track in the album - very similar to her I Got That track from Good Girl Gone Bad. The fun & playful Raining Men (with Nicki Minaj) is also an attention grabber along with the mellow side of the album California King (Bed), Cheers (Drink to That) and Love The Way You Lie - Part II which this time, features rapper Eminem) proves Rihanna's versatility as a recording artist. Love The Way You Lie part II is an acoustic throwback to RiRi and Eminem's chart-topping hit Love The Way You Lie. Do you remember Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' The Empire State of Mind? A. Keys also had her own piano version of the song in her 4th studio album. Nothing, I just want to segue that info and relate it to how Rihanna did it with hers. LTWYP2 in my opinion is a much better version with Eminem's less raps and more of part from RiRi.

Noteworthy tracks: S&M, Only Girl (In The World), Love The Way You Lie - Part II, Cheers (Drink to That), California King (Bed)

Track list:

01. S&M

02. What's My Name

03. Cheers (Drink To That)

04. Fading

05. Only Girl (In The World)

06. California King (Bed)

07. Man Down

08. Raining Men

09. Complicated

10. Skin

11. Love The Way You Lie - Part II

What do you think?

Official Video: Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

As the first single off fifth studio album Loud, Rihanna premiered on MTV the music video for Only Girl (In The World) on 13 Oct. 

The scenes include Rihanna dancing on a hilltop, lying on bed of flowers and dancing around multi-colored balloons. She is even seen riding on a swing that hangs from the sky and then dancing in front of a tree full of blinking lights that adds to the surreal imagery.

The song might really have been the best choice as a lead single as it paves the way for Rihanna's comeback on the dance floor inspired by Europop sounds - this is the vibe it gives for the record as a whole.

The video depicts exactly what the song is about -- light, carefree, no-frills. If someone makes you feel like you're the only girl in the world, this video is the perfect motion picture of that feeling.

Do you agree? Your thoughts please.

Rihanna Gets Loud

According to various sources, Rihanna is set to release her fifth studio album entitled Loud some time November 2010. 

With the sound of Only Girl (In The World), released as the first single off the album, produced by Stargate (Norweigian dance duo responsible for other Rihanna hits like Don't Stop The Music and Rude Boy), it looks like Loud is a departure from Rihanna's darker, edgier sound of Rated R. And I guess it's also safe to say that she might be venturing into the dance-electro side of her genre. Similar to some black artists i.e. Kelly Rowland, Flo-rida, Kelis etc. who all went out of their comfort zone genres and explored the not-so-much-done-before. 

She confirmed on a radio show with Ryan Seacrest that the album is called Loud. Yes it is called LOUD, Rihanna told fans during a live chat. Get LOUD everybody. Get crazy. Get excited. Cuz I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be ME.

I think she made pretty Loud and clear! In a month's time we'll see how Loud this album will impact the music scene