The Barbadian pop diva and recording artiste Rihanna released her fifth studio album titled Loud on November 12, 2010. The album opens with the upbeat single S&M which shows a different side to her, compared to the dark and aggressive Rated R album she dropped last year. The album consists of 11 songs:

01 S & M

02 What’s My Name (featuring Drake)

03 Cheers (Drink To That)

04 Fading

05 Only Girl (In the World)

06 California King Bed

07 Man Down

08 Raining Man (featuring Nicki Minaj)

09 Complicated

10 Skin

11 Love the Way You Lie (Part II) (featuring Eminem)

What’s My Name and Only Girl (In The World) are obvious hits on the album that have been getting recognition worldwide making their way to the top charts.

The album’s lead single Only Girl (In the World) was written by Cristyle, produced by Stargate and released on September 10, 2010 by Def Jams. On the single, this diva is no longer Stupid in Love and just wants feel like she is the only girl in the world. In What’s My Name Rihanna seems to be reconnecting with her former lover, Drake who steps in and helps the Barbadian beauty bring about a romantic mood with his hip hop flavour.

Rihanna’s continues to show her versatility in Cheers (Drink to that). Rihanna’s opening of Cheers (Yeah yeah) however reminds us of Avril Lavigne’s I’m with you. She then goes on to sing Complicated. She speaks of a relationship in which she is somewhat trapped but can’t get free. You’re not easy to love. Could this one be personal to Riri? She continues with Raining man which features the hot talented and energetic Nikki Minaj who dominated this with Rihanna feeding off her energy. Both women reject a useless guy because there are plenty more “falling like the rain so we ain’t running out”.

Even the less popular such as Fading, California King Bed, Man Down and Skin are worth listening to as they explore another side of this pop diva that has just been resurrected. The album ends with the follow up to the hot hit Love the Way You Lie which was done in collaboration with Eminem. Unlike its preceding, in Love the Way You Lie (Part II), Rihanna gives her side of the story with Eminem dropping a solid last verse to close one of the all-time favourites of Rihanna’s collection.

“Get Loud everybody, get crazy, get excited, because I’m pumped. I’m just gonna be me, because that’s what you guys love the most, and that’s what makes me feel best. Just being normal, normal for me is loud! Sassy, fun, flirty, energetic.” – Rihanna