Rihanna

Lore & Background

Rihanna's involvement in "Run This Town" came at a pivotal moment in her career. The song marked her first musical appearance after the highly publicized altercation with Chris Brown on February 8, 2009. According to the source, the song was originally intended to feature only Jay-Z and Rihanna, but Kanye West was later added because Jay-Z felt he would fit the texture of the song. Rihanna's chorus hook, featuring her signature "ay ay" vocals, was praised by critics as a key element that made the track radio-friendly while maintaining its hip-hop edge. The song went on to win Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Grammy Awards, marking Rihanna's third Grammy win.

In Their Own Story

In the studio, the track was built around Rihanna's vocal performance. Young Guru explained in an interview with Sound on Sound that the song was initially meant for just Jay-Z and Rihanna, but Kanye West was brought in later. Rihanna recorded her parts, delivering the chorus that would become the song's most memorable element. The music video, directed by Anthony Mandler and filmed at Fort Totten Park in New York City on August 6, 2009, featured Rihanna taking a bandanna from covering her mouth and performing the intro of the song in a park area with explosions firing around her. The video's chaotic, post-apocalyptic aesthetic was designed to make viewers feel uneasy, with Mandler noting that the camera's movement past Jay-Z to Rihanna created a sense of chaos and concealment.

Reader's Guide

Rihanna's role on "Run This Town" is that of a featured vocalist providing the song's central hook. Her chorus, described by Pitchfork as "autopilot" but effective, helped propel the song to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Key facts from the source: - The song was released as the second single from Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 3 on July 24, 2009. - Rihanna's contribution was her first musical appearance after the February 8, 2009 altercation with Chris Brown. - The song won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Grammy Awards, marking Rihanna's third Grammy win. - The music video was directed by Anthony Mandler and filmed at Fort Totten Park in New York City on August 6, 2009. - The video features Rihanna performing in a park with explosions around her, wearing a bandanna that she removes from her mouth.

Did You Know?

• "Run This Town" was Rihanna's first musical appearance after her February 8, 2009 altercation with Chris Brown.
• The song won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Grammy Awards, marking Rihanna's third Grammy win.
• Rihanna's chorus on the track was described by Pitchfork as "molten motivational" and "pop-friendly."
• The music video was filmed at Fort Totten Park in New York City on August 6, 2009, and features Rihanna performing with explosions around her.
• "Run This Town" reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the UK Singles Chart.