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Rockstar 101

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"Rockstar 101"
Song

"Rockstar 101" is a song performed by R&B Barbadian singer Rihanna and features a guitar solo by Slash. It is written by Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart and Rihanna and produced by The-Dream and Stewart. It serves as the fourth US single from her fourth studio album Rated R.[1]

Background and release

Ryan Seacrest confirmed the release of the song when Rihanna first performed it on American Idol on April 7, 2010. An exclusive album, Rockstar 101: The Remixes, was released by Def Jam on May 21, 2010, including twelve versions of the song remixed by other artists.[2] "Rockstar 101" was sent to mainstream and rhythmic radio of United States on June 1, 2010.[3][4] The song is being used to promote the upcoming show Nikita.

Performances

Rihanna first performed the song live on the ninth season of American Idol on April 7, 2010. She wore a black leather catsuit-like outfit and played a black electric guitar to refer to the lyrics.[5] The song is also featured on her Last Girl on Earth Tour.[citation needed]

Critical reception

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly described Slash's guitar performance as "aggressive".[6] Los Angeles Times said that "Rihanna puts on her tough voice [for the song], settling into her lower register with a fierce frown. "The only thing I'm missing is a black guitar," she growls in the Dream-and-Stewart produced "Rockstar 101", her heavy modulation making clear that she can definitely get by without that ultimate rock phallic symbol. Slash's presence, playing one, feels like an afterthought".[7] Jon Pareles of The New York Times mentioned that the song is strong in its chords.[8] Emily Tartanella of PopMatters defined the song as a "brilliant bit of bravado".[9]

Bill Lamb from About.com expressed discontent regarding "Rockstar 101" being chosen as a single, saying that "it's one of the weaker songs on Rated R", adding that it "seems destined to end the streak of three consecutive top 10 pop hits from the album". Furthermore, he said: "Within the context of Rated R, the intensely chilly, distant feel of the song works, but it is difficult to see "Rockstar 101" endearing itself to a wide spectrum of pop fans listening to the radio".[10]

Chart performance

"Rockstar 101" along with Rihanna's 2006 single "We Ride" became her only singles to miss out the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. So far, the song peaked at number nine on the Hot Dance Club Songs.[11]

Music video

The video was filmed in April 2010.[12] It was directed by Melina Matsoukas who also produced Rihanna's last two videos, "Hard" and "Rude Boy". An exclusive 30-second clip was released to the Internet on May 19, 2010, along with a behind the scenes video.[13] The full video premiered on VEVO on May 25, 2010. It involves Rihanna in a total of eight different scenes including her having a blackface look and almost completely naked wearing a spiked crown and wrapped in chains made by Fannie Schiavoni.[14][15] Also, she features in a snow-forest scene with trees and (Slash does not appear in the video so) Rihanna is also seen imitating Slash with his classic black curly hair, sunglasses and top hat.[16] In other scenes, she smashes a black electric guitar, and also is featured in an outfit incorporating guitar strings. Blink-182 drummer, Travis Barker makes an appearance in the video as part of Rihanna's rock band. The video is inspired by various stars from the rock genre, including Nine Inch Nails and The Bravery.[17] Shortly after the video was released, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash said that he was "flattered" that Rihanna impersonated him. "The video is way better with her being me than with me being me," he said. "All things considered, it brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn't have been capable of. I think it's hot. Everything works out the way it's supposed to."[18]

The video received its UK TV premiere on 4Music on June 13, 2010.[19]

Track listings

Rockstar 101 - The Remixes[2]
  • "Rockstar 101" (Dave Audé Radio Edit) - 4:18
  • "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Pop Rock Radio Edit) - 3:58
  • "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Rockin' Radio Edit) - 3:57
  • "Rockstar 101" (LoOse CanNons Black Guitar R-Licks Radio Edit) - 3:46
  • "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teacher's Pet Fix [Explict]) - 4:28
  • "Rockstar 101" (Chew Fu Teacher's Pet Fix [Clean]) - 4:28
  • "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Club Remix) - 7:52
  • "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Pop Rock Club Remix) - 7:37
  • "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Rockin' Club Remix) - 7:51
  • "Rockstar 101" (LoOse CanNons Black Guitar R-Licks Club Remix) - 5:54
  • "Rockstar 101" (Dave Aude Dub Remix) - 6:44
  • "Rockstar 101" (Mark Picchiotti Power Dub Remix) - 7:20

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
US Hot Dance Club Songs[20] 9

Radio and release history

References

  1. ^ a b "Rihanna Rockstar 101 New Song". AOL Radio. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  2. ^ a b c "Rockstar 101: The Remixes". masterbeat.com. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  3. ^ a b Allacess.com Top 40 Mainsteam future releases
  4. ^ a b Allaccess.com Top 40 Rhythmic future releases
  5. ^ Popeater.com
  6. ^ Greenblatt, Leah. "Rated R (2009)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  7. ^ Powers, Ann. Review: Rated R. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2009-11-23.
  8. ^ Pareles, Jon. Review: Rated R. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-11-25.
  9. ^ Tartanella, Emily. "Rihanna: Rated R < Reviews". PopMatters. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  10. ^ http://top40.about.com/b/2010/04/07/rihanna-debuts-rockstar-101-single-on-american-idol-a-dud.htm
  11. ^ "Rihanna on Hot Dance Club Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  12. ^ Rap-up.com
  13. ^ MTV.com Rihanna Rockstar 101
  14. ^ Grazia Daily
  15. ^ TheImproper.com
  16. ^ The Sun "Rihanna takes inspiration from Guns'N'Roses wardrobe"
  17. ^ Daily Mail"Rihanna goes naked: Rockstar 101 raunchiest video yet"
  18. ^ MTV.com Rihanna
  19. ^ Channel 4 Listings 13 June 2010
  20. ^ "Rihanna Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Nielson Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
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