After seeing this question posed about Drake, let's do the same for our girl from the Barbados. Personally, I don't find anything exciting about her musically or performance wise. I like her fashion sense, but her music doesn't really do anything for me. Thoughts?

Nothing.

yup! + everyone else that's 'hot' today.

TrivialPursuit said:

Nothing.

[Edited 3/30/17 2:53am]

She sings EVERY song in the same key....off-key.

It's the singles.

BIG singles!

CynicKill said:

It's the singles.

BIG singles!

Huge defining singles of the era. Rihanna said years ago that she wanted to be the Black Madonna.

Cinny said:

Huge defining singles of the era. Rihanna said years ago that she wanted to be the Black Madonna.

LOL Well, tell ol' girl that she's had a huge fail on that. She will never be as interesting, provocative, fun, or engaging as Madonna. She can release shitty singles all day, every day, and she'll never match the level of quality that Madge has with her discography.

The thing is, RiRi has tried to whip out a tit, or show up naked somewhere, etc., to shock people. But girl - it's been DÜN! Madonna was flashing her tits at a Jean-Paul show 25 years ago when RiRi was in kindergarten. Christina, Britney, Miley, Janet - tons of girls have flashed us some titty, sang about fuckin', expressin' themselves for art's sake blah blah blah. RiRi just blends into all that. Sorry boo - boobies and songs about sucking dick just don't cut it anymore. It's a bit like watching the news. You watch, but you've probably seen something similar before, and we're used to it.

PS Madonna is still here, sooo... yeah. There's that.

Rihanna's music isn't special to me. But that doesn't mean objectively that she isn't special.

I'd ask her fans. According to unverified estimates, she's sold 230 million albums. Not many people living or late do that.

Debate her talent and body of work on the merits all day. But in terms of being "special," she's done things most people could only dream of doing.

TrivialPursuit said:

Cinny said:

Huge defining singles of the era. Rihanna said years ago that she wanted to be the Black Madonna.

LOL Well, tell ol' girl that she's had a huge fail on that. She will never be as interesting, provocative, fun, or engaging as Madonna. She can release shitty singles all day, every day, and she'll never match the level of quality that Madge has with her discography.

The thing is, RiRi has tried to whip out a tit, or show up naked somewhere, etc., to shock people. But girl - it's been DÜN! Madonna was flashing her tits at a Jean-Paul show 25 years ago when RiRi was in kindergarten. Christina, Britney, Miley, Janet - tons of girls have flashed us some titty, sang about fuckin', expressin' themselves for art's sake blah blah blah. RiRi just blends into all that. Sorry boo - boobies and songs about sucking dick just don't cut it anymore. It's a bit like watching the news. You watch, but you've probably seen something similar before, and we're used to it.

PS Madonna is still here, sooo... yeah. There's that.

Okay but that's the white Madonna. I assume that part was important.

Cinny said:

TrivialPursuit said:

PS Madonna is still here, sooo... yeah. There's that.

Okay but that's the white Madonna. I assume that part was important.

LOL Well true, but .....c'mon. Riri is 29. In 1987, Madonna was 29. Think about what she had done by then, and the stratospheric rise she had, and think about Riri. (Plot twist: we don't need no stinkin' black Madonna - besides, Madge thinks she's half black anyway. LOL)

TrivialPursuit said:

Cinny said:

Okay but that's the white Madonna. I assume that part was important.

LOL Well true, but .....c'mon. Riri is 29. In 1987, Madonna was 29. Think about what she had done by then, and the stratospheric rise she had, and think about Riri. (Plot twist: we don't need no stinkin' black Madonna - besides, Madge thinks she's half black anyway. LOL)

I don't know . . . using that comparison, which admittedly isn't apples-to-apples, Ri had a meteoric rise herself, and had sold a ton of records in her early 20's.

Her voice is nasal and its hard for me to sit through a whole album, however she is defenitley a singles artist and I'm supriised by now she doesnt have an hits collection out by now.

her videos are interesting and while not as anthemic or interesting as Madonna for her generation (whom didnt get the chance to live through the infamous 84-94 madonna takeover) I can see it for them. I can see ten more years down the line coming on some Icon status

She has charisma, she is intelligent, she can capitivate a room with her personality and she actually has thought provoking things to say. Most importantly, her team makes catchy music and her latest album is a good body of work. She has fashion sense and seems down to earth. This question should be asked about the most overrated pop star in history and it isn't Rihanna or Drake (who at least have substantial receipts to back up their status.). She also has a unique tone and while she is not the best vocalist, I like the way she emotes when she sings and the ability to emote is what makes a good singer imo.

[Edited 3/30/17 15:01pm]

TrivialPursuit said:

Nothing.

yep

I just don't like the nasal singing

namepeace said:

Rihanna's music isn't special to me. But that doesn't mean objectively that she isn't special.

I'd ask her fans. According to unverified estimates, she's sold 230 million albums. Not many people living or late do that.

Debate her talent and body of work on the merits all day. But in terms of being "special," she's done things most people could only dream of doing.

I think you mean records, as in digital singles because her album sales are around 34-35 million total. She is obviouslt a singles artist more than a album artist but, like (and in particular) Beyonce, it doesn't change the fact that neither of them have had that much competition in spite of weaker overall album sales climate than in the past.

Thank you, not sure why they inflate these pop stars receipts but you make a good point. Its interesting that despite weaker competition, these pop stars are still not able to go diamond or have big album sells like Adele and to a lesser extent Taylor Swift. There is no reason they can't be successful in album sales too. However, giving props where it is due Rihanna knows her lane and she is good at it. Her team is good at picking great singles and hits.

LOL So I'm not the only one not impressed! I swear after getting into Prince last year, all other music just seems less outstanding to me than it did before. If there isn't any falsetto/funky drums/killer guitar/sexy lyrics/icy synths, then it doesn't do anything for me

I'd say that about 95% of the artist on the Billboard charts the last 20 years.

Low IQ mouthbreeders like the beats I guess. Also she is beautiful. But musical talent - hell no.

98%

Graycap23 said:

I'd say that about 95% of the artist on the Billboard charts the last 20 years.

mnbvc said:

namepeace said:

Rihanna's music isn't special to me. But that doesn't mean objectively that she isn't special.

I'd ask her fans. According to unverified estimates, she's sold 230 million albums. Not many people living or late do that.

Debate her talent and body of work on the merits all day. But in terms of being "special," she's done things most people could only dream of doing.

I think you mean records, as in digital singles because her album sales are around 34-35 million total. She is obviouslt a singles artist more than a album artist but, like (and in particular) Beyonce, it doesn't change the fact that neither of them have had that much competition in spite of weaker overall album sales climate than in the past.

You're right, just an old-head mistake. She's sold approximately 30+ million albums/"units" since 2005, if internet estimates are to be believed. Certainly not a terrible number, but (relying again on 'Net stats) Janet sold more copies of Control and Rhythm Nation than RiRi has sold throughout her career.

Still, 230 million records in the era of the Singles Artist is quite a feat. The album market is on life support, sure, but she's still found a way to distinguish herself.

I sort of understand your disdain for her, but i like her a lot, her as a person and her music; specially her latest album, and some of her singles. She puts her heart on it, even though it not may be a great singer.

I'm not a huge Rihanna fan, but I like some of her songs. I really like 2 of her recent songs:

This is What You Came For, which is Calvin Harris featuring her. Her vocals are great in the song. I love the video.

Love on the Brain - This song is really heartfelt and it has an old-school ballad type of feel to it. She sings her heart out in it.

I actually dig a lot of her material.

Her team knows what they are doing.

Graycap23 said:

I actually dig a lot of her material.

Her team knows what they are doing.

You and your double standards.

Cinny said:

TrivialPursuit said:

LOL Well, tell ol' girl that she's had a huge fail on that. She will never be as interesting, provocative, fun, or engaging as Madonna. She can release shitty singles all day, every day, and she'll never match the level of quality that Madge has with her discography.

The thing is, RiRi has tried to whip out a tit, or show up naked somewhere, etc., to shock people. But girl - it's been DÜN! Madonna was flashing her tits at a Jean-Paul show 25 years ago when RiRi was in kindergarten. Christina, Britney, Miley, Janet - tons of girls have flashed us some titty, sang about fuckin', expressin' themselves for art's sake blah blah blah. RiRi just blends into all that. Sorry boo - boobies and songs about sucking dick just don't cut it anymore. It's a bit like watching the news. You watch, but you've probably seen something similar before, and we're used to it.

PS Madonna is still here, sooo... yeah. There's that.

Okay but that's the white Madonna. I assume that part was important.

I'm not a fan but I do think that Rih is a little more interesting than Bouncy. For instance, I think she would have done a much better job on Hold Up. Bey's attempt at a Creole accent is all kinds of effed up.

OTOH, Bouncy is the one who should have done Love On The Brain. Why don't these people ask me before they record?

I think that Madge had much better material early on but I haven't had any use for her in the last decade.

Voicewise none of them move me.


Out of all the Pop Tarts out there, which I define as mediocre, dime a dozen, over rated eye candy/rump shakers, If I was forced to watch one, I would choose Rih.

babynoz said:

Graycap23 said:

I actually dig a lot of her material.

Her team knows what they are doing.

You and your double standards.

Double standards?

U either like an artist output or u don't.

I don't like who u say I have a double standard on.

His output is weak.

206Michelle said:

I'm not a huge Rihanna fan, but I like some of her songs. I really like 2 of her recent songs:

This is What You Came For, which is Calvin Harris featuring her. Her vocals are great in the song. I love the video.

Love on the Brain - This song is really heartfelt and it has an old-school ballad type of feel to it. She sings her heart out in it.

She does,that one is her best ballad so far, Higher is another one that is just great.

I want to hate on her, but let's face it, the girl is winning....