Wired 25 – The 25 Best Rihanna Collaborations [LISTEN]
Written by
Kazeem Famuyide
Published on
February 20, 2013
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Pisces season has officially kicked off as pop icon Rihanna turns 25 years young today.
For close to eight years, the Barbadian beauty has been in the public eye through great music, scrutiny, controversy and everything in between. Originally signed to Def Jam under the watchful eye of then-president Jay-Z, Rih’s star power has only increased ever since then.
The singer, who is an unabashed Hip-Hop head, has been a frequent collaborator with some of the biggest rappers in the game since she came into the game. Although she dabbles in the EDM and House lane at times, Rih’s never let loose of a new album without Hip-Hop by her side.
This week’s Wired 25takes a look at some of the best collaborations that Rihanna has had in her relatively short career. Between Hov, Kanye West, Eminem, Drake, T.I., Nicki Minaj and more, they’ve all reaped the benefits of the good girl gone bad.
After the jump, check out some of the best collaborations in Rihanna’s career on this week’s Wired 25.
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Photo: NBC/Universal
25. Chris Brown ft. Rihanna – “Turn Up The Music (Remix)”
Breezy and Rih-Rih’s forbidden romance was rekindled on this remix of “Turn Up The Music.”
24. Rihanna ft. Kardinal Offishall – “Rush” – Music Of The Sun
On Rihanna’s debut album, we discover that the beauty always had a thing for Canadians by snatching up Kardi on this track.
23. Rihanna ft. Nicki Minaj – “Raining Men” – LOUD
Hallelujah (pause), it was raining men on this standout record from Rih’s Hip-Hop friendly album, LOUD.
22. Memphis Bleek ft. Rihanna – “The One” – 534
When Rih was a spring chicken in the music business, she had to cut her teeth by doing records with Memphis Bleek. Luckily, this was a good start to her now incredible career. In other news, Bleek is still a hit away.
21. Fabolous ft. Rihanna – “First Time” – From Nothin’ To Somethin
The young beauty’s sweet island voice provided a nice backdrop to Fab’s fly record.
20. Rihanna ft. Sean Paul – “Break It Off” – A Girl Like Me
Before owning the raves, Rihanna had dancehall on lock with records like “Break It Off.” Willy bounce!
19. Rihanna ft. Eminem – “Numb” – Unapolgetic
It’s no “Love The Way You Lie,” but “Numb” is still a standout record from Rih’s latest, Unapologetic.
18. The Lonely Island ft. Rihanna – “Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde” – Turtlenecks & Chains
This hilarious record about a bank heist that started on Saturday Night Live landed on The Lonely Island’s second comedy album. Uh oh, boner alert.
17. Rihanna ft. Vybz Kartel – “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)” – Music Of The Sun
This reggae classic gets a new twist with the pop princess and Vybz Kartel.
16. Rihanna ft. Chris Brown – “Nobody’s Business” – Unapologetic
The couple that everyone can’t keep their eyes off of channel Michael Jackson and tell the world it’s nobody’s business.
15. Nicki Minaj ft. Rihanna – “Fly” – Pink Friday
Possibly two of the most popular artists in the world link up for this inspirational record from Roman’s debut album, Pink Friday.
14. Rihanna ft. Future – “Loveeeeeee Song” – Unapologetic
Future and Rihanna’s ratchet duet currently has goons from all hoods trying to hit those high notes.
13. Rihanna ft. A$AP Rocky – “Cockiness (Remix)”
That pretty mother f**ker copped a feel on the Barbadian beauty at the MTV VMAs to this remix to the Bangladesh-produced “Cockiness.” Subtlety be damned.
12. Drake ft. Rihanna – “Take Care” – Take Care
The most emo album in Hip-Hop history wouldn’t have been complete without the emo title track.
11. Rihanna ft. Chris Brown – “Birthday Cake (Remix)”
Remember what we said about Rihanna and subtlty? Yeah, all of that applies here.
10. Rihanna ft. Jay-Z – “Talk That Talk” – Talk That Talk
The boss man gives Rihanna’s title track to her sixth solo album all types of stunting bonus points. Talk that talk, indeed.
9. Rihanna ft. Kanye West – “Diamonds (Remix)”
Kanye West must have heard you saying he was falling off. On this remix of “Diamonds,” the cause of the commotion reminds us that at the top its just them, ni**a.
8. Rihanna ft. Drake – “What’s My Name?” – LOUD
“What’s My Name” dominated 2010 as Drizzy and Rih-Rih showed that they were an unbeatable tandem off and on the court.
7. Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy – “Hard” – Rated R
This was the first record that the pop princess dropped since she survived a brutal Grammy night beat down from Chris Brown that left her bloody and bruised. This song signaled a transformation in content and the Rihanna reign hasn’t let up since.
6. Rihanna ft. Eminem – “Love The Way You Lie (Part 2)” – LOUD
Rihanna added new verses to create a sequel to this domestic violence anthem, this time from a female perspective.
5. Jay-Z ft. Kanye West & Rihanna – “Run This Town” – The Blueprint 3
Feel it coming in the air? The 25-year-old bad girl staked her claim as the top female star in music with this instant classic hook. Pledge your allegiance.
4. Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Love The Way You Lie” – Recovery
Amazingly, this is Eminem’s highest selling single in his illustrious career. This song, which received five Grammy nominations, is one of the most pivotal songs in Shady and Rihanna’s career.
3. Kanye West ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Elton John, John Legend, The-Dream, Alicia Keys, Tony Williams, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson and Elly Jackson – “All Of The Lights” – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
This mega-collaboration from Kanye’s masterpiece, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, featured a ton of artists but only one woman’s voice stood out the most prominently. Whose voice you ask? Are you serious?
2. T.I. ft. Rihanna – “Live Your Life” – Paper Trail
T.I.’s biggest career single was tapped with the Def Jam singer’s golden touch and it was a homerun.
1. Rihanna ft. Jay-Z – “Umbrella” – Good Girl Gone Bad
Music Of The Sun was cool and A Girl Like Me was nice, but it wasn’t until Rih cut the hair and become a good girl gone bad that she became a superstar. As far as impact, this might not just be Rih’s biggest collab, it could be her biggest record ever. Salute.
