"What Now" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Rihanna | ||||
from the album Unapologetic | ||||
Released | August 29, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012 | |||
Studio | Metropolis Studios (London), Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:03 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"What Now" on YouTube |
"What Now" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was written by Olivia Waithe, Parker Ighile, Maestro The Baker and Nathan Cassells with production handled by Maestro The Baker, Ighile and Cassells. A remix collection was released exclusively to Beatport on August 29, 2013 [1] and later via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play on September 17, 2013. [2] [3] [4] The single was serviced to US rhythmic radio on September 24, 2013, before impacting mainstream radio on October 1, 2013, as the fifth single from Unapologetic. Another remix collection was released to Beatport on October 29, 2013. [5] The song is a mid-tempo piano ballad which incorporates sounds which resemble "sonic bombs" during the chorus and "crashing" drums.
"What Now" received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many calling it an emotional, stand-out song on the album and praising Rihanna's vocals. Following the release of Unapologetic, "What Now" made appearances on various charts around the world. Following its release as a single, the song re-peaked in multiple territories, having it also reach new peaks at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 25 on the UK Singles Chart, while topping the US Dance Club Songs chart and attaining a top three peak on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart.
The song's accompanying music video was directed by Jeff Nicholas, Jonathan Craven, and Darren Craig from Uprising Creativity. It portrays Rihanna having an "emotional breakdown" and performing exorcism-type dance moves. Critics complimented the video and compared it to Rihanna's 2008 video for the song "Disturbia". Rihanna promoted "What Now" on Alan Carr: Chatty Man and the song is included on the set list of her Diamonds World Tour (2013). [6] British television network ITV used the song for their "Where Drama Lives" 2014 advertisement. [7]
Rihanna began "working on the new sound" for her seventh studio album in March 2012, even though she had not yet begun recording. [8] On September 12, 2012, Def Jam France announced via Twitter that Rihanna would release a new single the upcoming week while her seventh studio album was scheduled to be released in November 2012. On October 11, 2012, in one of her tweets revealed that the title of her new album is Unapologetic along with its cover. [9]
"What Now" was written by British singer-songwriter Livvi Franc together with Rihanna, Parker Ighile, Maestro The Baker and Nathan Cassells. [10] Ighile, Maestro and Cassells recorded the music for the track in Metropolis Studios located in London, United Kingdom, and provided all of the instrumentation and programming. [10] Kuk Harrell provided the vocal production of the song and also recorded Rihanna's vocals together with Marcos Tovar at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Blake Mares and Robert Cohen served as assistant vocal engineer of "What Now". [10] It was mixed by Phil Tan at Ninja Club Studios in Atlanta, Georgia with Daniela Rivera serving as assistant mixing engineer. [10]
"What Now" was released as the sixth single from the album Unapologetic. Ten remixes of the song were digitally released via Beatport on August 28, 2013, in the United States. [1] The same remixes, were also added on the iTunes Store on September 17. [2] "What Now" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on September 24. It was later sent to contemporary hit radio on October 1. [11] Via her Instagram account, Rihanna revealed the official artwork for the song on October 16. It features the singer dressed in black and "stares out with piercing eyes" while her name is written on chalkboard behind her. [12] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News described Rihanna's style on the artwork as goth and noted that it is reminiscent of the behind-the-scenes shot she posted during filming the song's video. [13]
"What Now" is a piano-led mid tempo pop and R&B ballad which lasts four minutes and three seconds. [14] [15] [16] According to Sony/ATV Music Publishing's digital sheet music for the song, it is composed in the key of G♯ minor and set in compound duple meter (6
8 time) with a moderately slow groove of 60 beats per minute. [17] Rihanna's vocals span from the low note of A♯3 to the high note of C♯5. "What Now" follows a chord progression of G♯m–B2–F♯–F♯sus4–F♯. [17] The instrumental features "crashing" drums; [14] Dean Martin of NME described it as a 'bonkers marriage of pianos and bass-pop'. [15] According to Mesfin Fekadu of The Huffington Post , the song "builds nicely from its calming verse to its electrified hook." [18]
The Urban Daily's Smokey D. Fountaine compared "What Now" to the works by singer Pink as according to him contains "yell-as-long-as-you-have-a-great-hook style". [19] Its structure "flips" from verse to chorus "like they’re from two different planets", according to Michael Gallucci of PopCrush. Gallucci also felt that Rihanna's over-sings on the track, in contrast with Chris Younie of 4Music who said that Rihanna sounds "sweet". [14] [20] During the "roaring" chorus, sounds which resemble "sonic bombs" are included in the background. [14] [20]
A Billboard reviewer praised "What Now" and called the song an "emotional highlight on an album filled with moments of resonance in its second half." [21] Giovanny Caquias of Culture Blues wrote that the song feels like the first "candid" and "insightful" track on Unapologetic. He continued, "Rihanna gets a little introspective on What Now, and doesn't resort to being overtly sexual or defiantly callous (more on that later), which gave me the feeling that she stripped away her armor for a moment and actually allowed herself to be 'real'." [22] Daily News Jim Farber wrote that the song shows a heft. [23]
Brad Stern of MTV Buzzworthy praised Rihanna's vocals on the song and referred to it as a "most poignant offering on the record". [24] The Star-Ledger 's reviewer labelled the song as "staggering power ballad that makes all her other mid-tempo numbers sound featherweight by comparison." [25] Andy Kellman of Allmusic praised "What Now" and called it a "massive, slamming, wailing power ballad". [26] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times positively reviewed the song writing, "Rihanna is doing some of her most direct, ambitious singing here. It’s the album’s one real purge, and a sign of a pulse beneath the armor." [27] Genevieve Koski for The A.V. Club criticised "What Now", writing that it (as well as "Stay") are the types of "milquetoast ballads" which have never been Rihanna's speciality. [28]
Upon the release of Unapologetic, "What Now" charted in France and on two charts in the United Kingdom due to strong digital download sales. It debuted on the French Singles Chart at number 144 for the week dated December 1, 2012, and remained on the chart for one week. On July 13, 2013, it re-entered the chart at number 174; the song peaked at number 83 two weeks later. [29] On December 2, 2012, it debuted at number 165 on the UK Singles Chart, [30] and number 32 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart. [31] "What Now" was later serviced to radio in Australia as the fourth single from the album. [32] [33] It debuted at number 37 on the ARIA Singles Chart on August 18, 2013, and peaked at number 21. [34] According to IFPI, the song has sold 2 million copies worldwide.[ citation needed ]
Rihanna shot the music video for "What Now" inside a warehouse in Phuket, Thailand on September 17, 2013, during a tour stop of the Diamonds World Tour. [35] It was directed by Jeff Nicholas, Jonathan Craven, and Darren Craig from Uprising Creativity. [36] Nicholas and Craven previously worked on the video for Justin Timberlake's single "Tunnel Vision" from his third studio album The 20/20 Experience . [36] According to Steven Gottlieb of VideoStatic the double-exposure body shots are a visible common similarity of the two videos. On November 13, Rihanna unveiled a behind-the-scenes video via her official Vevo account. [35] During it she explained the concept of the video, "It's gonna be kind of eerie, very creepy because 'What Now' is one of those songs that you can get really boring with the visual. You can get really almost expected. Everybody's probably expecting narrative type of video, a love story of some sorts or something really soft and pretty" and then says, "It is pretty and kind of soft, but it's really a little demented." [37] Prior to the video's release, Rihanna posted a sneak peek of the video on YouTube. [38] The official music video was released to VEVO on November 15, 2013. [39]
Rob Newman is the producer of the video, while Craven, Nicholas and Thananath Songchaikul executively produced the visual. Sing Howe Yam performed the direction of the photography while Clark Eddy is the editor. [40] The video opens to Rihanna appearing on a static television screen in a simple nude gown and crucifix necklace. She then begins to sing whilst being in a darkened room with a black gown on and later appearing in a brightened room with a white gown on. The video switches between the creepy and the pretty Rihanna as she mopes in a sparse warehouse space, possessed by her loneliness. [41]
Jocelyn Vena of MTV compared the video to four of Rihanna's past videos, with "Disturbia" being one of the four, she says "both 'What Now' and 'Disturbia' have a dark, supernatural vibe about them. And in addition to sharing that similarity, the visuals' shots are layered, giving off a sort of 3-D effect." Other comparisons included were "Diamonds" and "Stay", which is also included on her 2012 Unapologetic , and "We Found Love". Even Rachel Brodsky of MTV's Buzzworthy Blog used seven comparisons of how the video relates to the 1996 film The Craft . [42] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard says that Rihanna "dials it down" for the video after the "twerking, pole-dancing and general skin-showing" video she released for "Pour It Up" the month before. [43] Other reviewers gave similar opinions, as an anonymous reviewer of The Huffington Post says "The clip shows the 25-year-old singer in a spooky place, writhing in a sparse room shot in a fashion similar to many horror movies." [44]
On September 27, 2013, Rihanna performed the song on Channel 4's Alan Carr: Chatty Man . [45] It is also included on the set list of her Diamonds World Tour (2013). [6]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Unapologetic, Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records. [10]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "What Now" (Firebeatz remix) | 5:03 |
2. | "What Now" (Firebeatz radio edit) | 3:15 |
3. | "What Now" (Firebeatz instrumental) | 5:03 |
4. | "What Now" (R3hab remix) | 4:51 |
5. | "What Now" (R3hab edit) | 3:24 |
6. | "What Now" (R3hab instrumental) | 4:51 |
7. | "What Now" (Guy Scheiman club mix) | 7:04 |
8. | "What Now" (Guy Scheiman radio edit) | 4:03 |
9. | "What Now" (Guy Scheiman mixshow edit) | 4:29 |
10. | "What Now" (Guy Scheiman dub) | 7:04 |
Total length: | 49:07 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "What Now" (R3hab trapped out remix) | 3:33 |
2. | "What Now" (Reflex extended) | 3:34 |
3. | "What Now" (Reflex radio edit) | 3:03 |
Total length: | 10:10 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [69] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [70] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [71] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [72] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [73] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | August 29, 2013 | Digital download | Remixes | Def Jam | [1] |
September 24, 2013 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Original | [11] | ||
October 1, 2013 | Contemporary hit radio | ||||
Italy | October 4, 2013 | Radio airplay | Universal | [74] | |
United States | October 29, 2013 | Digital download | Remixes part 2 | Def Jam | [5] |
Robyn Rihanna Fenty, NH is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman and actress. She is noted as the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century by Guinness World Records and the second wealthiest in the world. Rihanna is the highest-certified female digital single artist and has six U.S. diamond certified singles. She has achieved 14 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The recipient of various accolades, Rihanna is one of the best-selling recording artists ever, with sales estimated at 250 million units globally.
A Girl Like Me is the second studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on April 10, 2006, by Def Jam Recordings. For the production of the album, Rihanna worked with Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Stargate, J. R. Rotem, and label-mate Ne-Yo, who wrote the album's second single. A Girl Like Me is a pop and reggae album influenced by Rihanna's Caribbean roots. The album also incorporates elements of dancehall and rock, as well as ballads, which music critics were ambivalent towards.
"What's My Name?" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, for her fifth studio album Loud (2010). Featuring guest vocals from Canadian rapper Drake, the song was released as the second single from Loud on October 25, 2010, through Def Jam Recordings and in Germany on January 21, 2011, as a single through Universal Music Group. The dancehall-infused electro-R&B song was produced by the Norwegian production duo Stargate, and was written by the duo along with Ester Dean, Traci Hale, and Drake. Lyrically, it incorporates themes of romance and sex.
"We Ride" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her second studio album A Girl like Me (2006). It was written by Makeba Riddick, Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen, with production helmed by Stargate. The song was released on August 21, 2006, as the album's third single. "We Ride" is a hip hop, soul and R&B ballad. Critical reception of the song was generally positive, as the majority of reviewers praised its relaxing and carefree qualities.
"Shut Up and Drive" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was written and produced by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, and features an interpolation of the 1983 song "Blue Monday" by the British band New Order, whose members Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert received songwriting credits. Released as the album's second single, the song was solicited to United States radio stations on June 12, 2007, and was physically released on August 27, 2007 in the United Kingdom. "Shut Up and Drive" is a new wave song which heavily incorporates 1970s and 1980s musical styles. Lyrically, it contains multiple references to cars and car parts including the '57 Cadillac.
"Disturbia" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008), a re-release of her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was written by Andre Merritt, Chris Brown, Brian Kennedy and Rob. A!, with the production of the song helmed by Kennedy. The song was released as the third and final single from the re-release. "Disturbia" was sent to US contemporary hit radio on June 17, 2008, and was released as a CD single in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2008.
"Russian Roulette" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009). It premiered on radio stations worldwide on October 20, 2009, and was released as the album's lead single on October 26 by Def Jam Recordings. Written and produced by Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony, "Russian Roulette" is a pop, pop-rock and R&B ballad that contains dark, morbid, and tense atmospheric elements in its composition. Lyrically, the single is about an abusive romantic relationship that ended abruptly. Music critics noted the lyrical theme to be a response to the domestic violence case between Rihanna and her former boyfriend, singer and rapper Chris Brown.
"Who's That Chick?" is a song by French DJ and producer David Guetta featuring vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released from the reissue of Guetta's fourth studio album One Love (2009), entitled One More Love (2010). The song was written by Guetta, Kinda "Kee" Hamid, Frédéric Riesterer, and Giorgio Tuinfort. Since the song contains an interpolation of "Who's That Girl", Madonna and Patrick Leonard are credited as co-writers as well. It was released internationally as the second single on 22 November 2010 as a digital single, and was also released as a CD single and an Extended play (EP), the latter of which was released in the United States and contained remixes of the song.
Loud is the fifth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on November 12, 2010, by Def Jam Recordings and SRP Records. The album was recorded between February and August 2010, during the singer's Last Girl on Earth tour (2010–2011) and the filming of her first feature film Battleship (2012). Rihanna and L.A. Reid were the executive producers of Loud and worked with various record producers, including Stargate, Sandy Vee, The Runners, Tricky Stewart and Alex da Kid. The album features several guest vocalists, including rappers Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem, who is featured on the sequel to "Love the Way You Lie", titled "Love the Way You Lie ".
"Take Care" is the title track from Canadian rapper and singer Drake's 2011 studio album of the same name. The song features guest vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna. The song heavily samples Jamie xx's remix of Gil Scott-Heron's version of "I'll Take Care of You", written by Brook Benton. "Take Care" was released as the fifth single from the album on January 17, 2012. It is a club song about a couple in a relationship acknowledging they have been hurt in their past, but will look after one another.
"Where Have You Been" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her sixth studio album Talk That Talk (2011). It was released as the third international single from the album on April 17, 2012. The song was written by Ester Dean, Geoff Mack, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Henry "Cirkut" Walter, and Calvin Harris, with production handled by the latter three. The track is a dance-pop song that draws influence from trance, R&B and hip hop. It is backed by "hard, chilly synths" and contains an electro-inspired breakdown sequence. The song's lyrics interpolate Geoff Mack's 1959 song "I've Been Everywhere" and speak of a woman who is searching for a lover who will sexually please her.
Unapologetic is the seventh studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on 19 November 2012 by Def Jam Recordings and SRP Records. It was recorded between June and November 2012, during promotion of her sixth studio album, Talk That Talk (2011). As executive producer, Rihanna enlisted previous collaborators The-Dream, David Guetta, Chase & Status, and Stargate to work alongside new collaborators such as Parker Ighile, Mike Will Made It, and Labrinth. Unapologetic is primarily a pop, synth-pop, and R&B album that incorporates elements of hip hop, EDM, dubstep, rock and reggae in its production, merging the sound of her previous albums Talk That Talk, Loud (2010) and Rated R (2009).
"Diamonds" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). Sia wrote the track with its producers, Benny Blanco and Stargate. The song premiered on September 26, 2012, during the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and was digitally released the following day as the lead single from Unapologetic. "Diamonds" is a mid-tempo pop, electronic and R&B ballad that features heavy synthesizers, orchestral sounds and electronic rhythms. The song's lyrics serve as a departure from the themes of unhealthy relationships that were on Rihanna's previous singles contrasted to the song's portrayal of lovers as "diamonds in the sky".
"Pour It Up" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was serviced to urban radio stations in the United States on January 8, 2013, as the second US single, and third overall single from the album. It was later also sent to contemporary hit radio radios in the country. "Pour It Up" written by Rock City and producers Mike Will Made It and JBo. It is a club, trap, and R&B song with a minimal hip hop beat. Rihanna brags about her wealth on the song which serves as both a strip club anthem and a declaration of independence.
"Loveeeeeee Song" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna recorded for her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). The song features vocals by American rapper Future who also co-wrote, and music produced by Luney Tunez, Emmanuel Zaragoza and Future. Additional writing was done by Denisia "Blu June" Andrews and Rihanna herself.
"Jump" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was written by Kevin Cossom, M. B. Williams, Stargate and Chase & Status, with production done by the latter two and Kuk Harrell. It interpolates the lyrics of the 1996 single "Pony", performed by Ginuwine. Its composition and structure received comparisons to not only Justin Timberlake's song "Cry Me a River" and Magnetic Man's "I Need Air", but also to some of Rihanna's previous songs, including "Rude Boy" and "Red Lipstick". A remix of the song called "Jump " by rapper Theophilus London was leaked onto the internet. "Jump" was serviced to Australian radio on January 24, 2014, as the album's sixth single.
"Right Now" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna featuring French DJ and producer David Guetta. It was released as part of Rihanna's seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). Guetta co-wrote the song with R&B singers Ne-Yo and The-Dream, while their longtime collaborators, Norwegian production duo Stargate, co-produced the track alongside Guetta and his own longtime collaborators Nicky Romero and Giorgio Tuinfort. It was sent to contemporary hit and rhythmic contemporary radios in the United States as the fourth single from the album on May 28, 2013. Musically, "Right Now" is an EDM and pop song. The lyrical content features Rihanna chanting to live life in the moment.
"Stay" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It features guest vocals by Mikky Ekko and was released as the second single from the album on December 13, 2012. "Stay" was co-written by Ekko and Justin Parker. The song's lyrics speak of temptation and the inability to resist true love. Music critics were generally positive in their opinion regarding the balladry and most described it as a standout track on the album.
"Phresh Out the Runway" is a song recorded by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna for her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). It was co-written by Rihanna with French disc-jockey David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort and Terius Nash. It is the first time that Rihanna and Guetta had collaborated since "Who's That Chick?", released in November 2010. "Phresh Out the Runway" is a hip hop and rave song that contains heavy synthesizers and bass. Lyrically, Rihanna explains how if any of her crew does not respect her, they should no longer remain with her.
"The Monster" is a song from American rapper Eminem's album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013) featuring a guest appearance from Rihanna. The song was written by Bebe Rexha, Eminem, Rihanna, Aalias, Jon Bellion, Maki Athanasiou, and Frequency, with the latter also handling production. Released on October 29, 2013, as the fourth single from the album, "The Monster" marks the fourth collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna, following "Love the Way You Lie" (2010), its sequel "Love the Way You Lie " (2010), and "Numb" (2012), and is a hip-hop and pop song, with lyrics that describe Eminem pondering the negative effects of his fame while Rihanna comes to grips with her inner demons.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)