If you’re a member of the Rihanna Navy or just a fan of Rihanna’s iconic music — even if you don’t care for Rihanna — you have to know she released “Work” featuring Drake on Wednesday morning.
“Work” is a track with an Caribbean feel, officially the first single off Rihanna’s new album, Anti, according to the pop princess herself.
The single opens up with an amazing dancehall beat that rides for about 13 seconds. Then Rihanna comes in with the hook, grabbing listeners’ attention with, “Work, work, work, work, work, work.” She moves into the first verse, which may be hard for most to interpret. The song serves as a first where Rihanna strongly sings with her bajan accent. The beat works perfectly, for an artist such as RiRi.
The Barbadian princess’ voice is calm and relaxed, more than ever before. Rihanna owns and rides to the beat like no other, “You took my heart and my keys and my patience/you took my heart on my sleeve for decoration/you mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation.”
Drake chimes in toward the end of the record to express his love for RiRi, because who wouldn’t? “Long distance, I need you/when I see potential I just gotta see it through. If you had a twin I would still choose you.”
The two harmonize at the one point in the song and it sounds absolutely magical.
The track has already reached No. 1 on the iTunes charts in more than 70 countries. If one was to deny Rihanna’s method of adding some buzz before her eighth studio album, shame on them.
This collaboration doesn’t come as a surprise either. They’ve previously joined on tracks, “What’s My Name” and “Take Care.” But, much has changed since the release of those killer singles.
Both Rihanna and Drake were named Spotify’s two leading artists in streams last year. Look for every radio station to eat this song alive and for the single to rise on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. With the way it is being received, a top-10 début would be ideal.