Full disclosure: I hate “Work,” Rihanna’s first single off of her new album, ANTI. The song has some okay parts, but the hook is basic and the “work work work work work” chorus makes me want to gouge out my ears. But people were hungry for Rihanna and this album. And people will take what Rihanna gives them, which is how “Work” has already made it to the top of this week’s Billboard chart. This is her 14th #1 Billboard hit… and that was before she released the two music videos for the single.
I’m including the video (which is two music videos for the same song) below. The videos are both NSFW for nudity, drug use, provocative dancing (this blog is like the town in Footloose!!!), twerking and Drake basically getting a series of lap dances from Rihanna. I think I like the vibe of the first video more – it feels like a genuine party that Rihanna would genuinely hostess or be a part of. I imagine this is what Rihanna does in her down-time: she goes to epic, smoke-filled parties where everyone is grinding on everyone else and smoking blunts. The second video is okay – aesthetically, it actually reminded me of some of the music videos from the ‘90s, which I like. So, here you go.
I feel like people are always going to make a big deal about Drake and Rihanna’s relationship and “what does it all mean?” and “are they ever going to get together for real?” I tend to think Drake would love it if Rihanna was his official girlfriend. I tend to think Rih and Drake have hooked up in the past, and had an on-and-off thing, maybe friends with benefits over the years. What I like about their relationship or whatever you want to call it? I never have any doubt that Rihanna is the shot caller. She’s the one with agency. Drake is, like, her beck-and-call bruh.
Photos courtesy of Instagram.
Their chemistry is insane. I know it’s wrong to ship real people but I don’t care – Drihanna forever!
I don’t think it’s wrong in this case— they’ve given us plenty of fuel for the fire over the years. There was always something going on between them. I think they’ve been hooking up forever, he probably has a shrine to her in his closet, and she doesn’t want to settle down. But I, too, am all for some Drhianna! It’s obvious how into her he is.
I agree, I think they have great chemistry…too bad I don’t like the song at ALL. I was tempted to put it on mute and watch it that way, lol.
In all seriousness though, they look really good in this video.
Drake and rihanna is ship that will never set sail
AubRih!!
Oh I like your combination better.
I love anything that Drake is involved with. I think he’s so sexxy 😉😉!
So is she, for that matter
Gosh, I wish they would make it happen! And marry and have lots of kids. That would be a-m-a-z-i-n-g!
They definitely make a hot couple.
She looks amazing in both videos!
But I actually think that her and Drake have very little chemistry in either video.
The first video is pretty much what it’s like to really party in the Caribbean. Most of the time the smokers are in one place, though.
So it wouldn’t surprise me if this was the type of parties Rih goes to.
this is straight up copying any passa passa or dutty fridaze video. lame. NOT ORIGINAL.
look it up on youtube…
I love the song. Her whole album is great, I don’t know why people aren’t talking about it more.
I’m not crazy about “Work” but love the album. Great sound and vocals.
I’ve never been a Rihanna fan and had never bought any of her singles. But I listened to ANTI on a whim and bought it immediately after. I love it.
I’ve never listened to an album of hers all the way through (I’ve tried but mostly kept to singles) but I listened to ANTI twice back to back and loved it.
Right? It’s insane. I love every track. Am playing it all the time. “Work” isn’t the very best track, but the album all fits together and creates a mood, fills a room in a way I can’t explain. I don’t think I’ve been this obsessed with any album in a while.
I too took some time to just listen to the whole thing and came out so impressed, It’s not boppy super radio friendly stuff like her past stuff but it’s so GOOD adult and cohesive
It really is the best album she’s ever done.
Drake does not seem to be the shot caller in any of his relationships.
Rihanna and Drake are super hot in these videos. I am shipping them hard. I’m actually fantasizing about it, and fantasizing about celebs is not something I generally do.
The song is fun enough. I like dancehall and the Jamaican patois, and the sound and Rihanna’s voice great as usual. And it’ll be fun to dance to. It’s never going to be one of the top 5 memorable Rihanna songs to my mind, but the videos will be seared on my brain forever.
Okay. I’ll stop my drooling now. I’m off to watch them videos again.
Love it!!! The first one reminds me of early 2000’s Sean Paul,where the second one is more intimate,their chemistry is amazing!
The ugly bob and dark lips are unflattering on her.
She looks good, but that may be one of the most annoying songs ever.
q pretty much over RiRi. I liked “Bitch better have my money”, but other than that its done.
Haaaaaaate it… Shitty song and video
If i’m listening to the radio in my car and this “work” song comes on, I get a severe case of road rage. I either have to switch channels or turn off the radio immediately. I absolutely loathe that song.
Ehh. Drake is never going to give up his Harem for her. And she’s never going to take him seriously.
Besides, they’ve always said they were great friends. You can see that. Neither are that great actors. There’s a familiarity there.
I LOVE their chemistry. The second one is my favorite. I’m done shipping them. As long as we get cute videos and songs from them, I’m good.
the best thing i saw someone call Drake is “Captain Save-a-ho” and I will never forget it. He loves them strippers, doesn’t he?
That said, that chemistry is just insane.
Yep! Strippers, bottle service girls, videos hoes and Instagram thots. He’s a sucker for them. He buys them gifts. He mentions them by name in songs. If you’re really important he’ll
a. fly out to Toronto
b. buy you a car
c. buy you an apartment
d. pay all of you’re bills
I remember someone joking Drake’s loves any girl with a little damage and a Miami plastic surgeon receipt.
LMMFAO This is IT!!! i’ve looked up and down these comments and The Lie will not be found!! he is so delightful though, in spite of his constant Stripper/ big booty girl chasing
you forgot e. Complain in song that the girls are living off him and his mom told him he is being foolish
@QQ Yes! Poor Sandy. The amount of women he’s taken home to her. You know he once brought a stripper to passover with his white Jewish family.
Captain Save Lizzie! I may not be a stripper or know how to twerk, but Drake I’ll make you so happy…please call me.
I do like Drake & Rihanna together but I feel like they’ll never be an official bf/gf situation. Probably hooking up/friends with benefits but more on the friends side, they respect each other & love working together.
i hate the song not even sure why people like it so much. The video fits the Caribbean vibe which i guess they were going . That said i love love the album. Work to me is the weakest song on the album and doesn’t really reflect the tone of the album, All i can say is the album is fire. She could use some promotion as well seems she allergic to that now. As for shipping Drake and Rihanna ….its almost like shipping Rihanna and Leo it not happening their just friends and i am pretty sure its Rihanna’s choice. Drake is Rihanna;s work husband
The problem with the song for me is the fake Jamaican accent. The song would have sounded better if it either was a real Jamaican twang over the rhythm or if she had sung with her normal Barbadian/Americanized accent.
That’s my local roti shop!!! I feel like knowing that Drake and Rihanna probably had sex in a washroom where I have peed is really going to add a special spice to my next goat curry.
LMAO! That comment just made my morning!
What’s a roti shop?
It’s west indian food. Roti is similar to a burrito.
Thanks 😀
Roti is actually the traditional flatbread of India, the term is most common in North India (it has other popular terms, chapati, etc.). Due to the Indian diaspora in the West Indies, it’s now a staple in the Carribean as well.
I saw it last night and I almost fainted (not). Those two videos are straight fire (sorry). I like the second one more, although I couldn’t not stare at her boobs, but her face and hair reminded me a LOT of Pon De Replay and that is a good thing. This is where she started and where she’s going back to. I like the album a lot more than, say, Talk That Talk, and it reminds me of Rated R too.
The couple is ship-worthy. I’m here for it. They are very cute together, and very “friends-with-benefits” kind of vibe. I don’t see how they wouldn’t do *it* after shooting those videos. It’s a bit too close for comfort, or too cruel on a friendzone level. Drake and Rihanna, just… . . get together already!
I like the 2nd video more. it’s been 10years since pon de replay but Rihanna looks the same, so beautiful.
ikr, I had to go and lie down too.
@polonoscopy that’s hilarious and kind of disgusting, enjoy that goat curry lol
This song is far from being my favorite, but the rest of the album is truly, truly great. My current favorite is the Tame Impala cover.
I didn’t listen to the song.When I heard the title Work I Just assumed she did a cover of Barrington Levy.
u cant put the 2 in the same sentence its just wrong
Work is catchy and danceable but it’s probably the weakest song on Anti. I love, love the album and I wish she promoted it, even though she doesn’t need to. I love the dancehall vibe of the first video, while the aestetic of the second one is gold, but the video itself is a bit boring.
Definitely reminds me of my dancehall faves from back in the day. Also, THIS is “twerking.” It’s not try hard, it’s not awkward, and it’s not just something where you just flap your butt around. It’s effortless and has a certain rhythm. It’s not something new that Miley invented. I absolutely love the way Caribbean dance and I think AubRih have great chemistry.
This is wining which tends to be more sensuous than frenetic twerking, but I associate twerking as appropriate for bounce and not reggae dance hall or Carnival rhythms. When I was straight outta college, wining was all the rage in the South in the mid 2000s.
I love this song and it feels like Rihanna is going back to her roots/beginning with this.
Yes it’s def wining! That’s why I put twerking in quotations lol. This is what I think people are trying to imitate when call it twerking. They don’t know the difference at all.
yes! I think you either like this type of music and dance, or you don’t. I tend to like it. Even the muddled “work, work, work, work” works for me. 🙂
Santia, I love it as well!
I LOVE it, made me deal with the song just off their chemistry, also This is so very Diaspora Black adjacent! like BLACK, like Rih has become very unconcerned with the white gaze, fr fr there is twerking, there is a cook out dancehall vibe, there is Patois and won’t be captioned or made palatable Love all of this is still happening February.
And By ALL Means, hook up again with Drizzy, it’ll only make his butthurt Joints all that much better!!!
QQ: So true! This is one of those songs that you’re kinda meh about but the second you see the video it comes to life and GIVES you life.
February has turned out to be a fine month, hasn’t it?! Yes to all of this! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 loving it.
Almondjoy YES!! (see: 7/11!!) February has YANKED! and AND AND we still have all the Oscars Jokes Chris Rock and Black Twitter finna get active on!!! and we all in the diaspora still look better, younger and more moist than Ralph Fiennes does by the minute! #BlessingsOnBlessing
I’m waiting breathlessly for the Oscar’s and my phone will be charged to 100% so I can see every single tweet, meme and video.
In the words of Riley Curry: “Waaaay up I FEEL BWESSED.”
QQ – That’s it. It made me feel like I was at a Caribbean party with her. Love the patois. I just love it. I may play it now and twerk/wine to it as I work. LOL. 🙂
She did make a great album . Wander why she didn’t promote it even Adele who is selling a gazillions records is promoting
I’m such a Rihanna stan. She is fearless and mystical and most definitely calls the shots with Wheelchair Jimmy. Obviously, a lot of the Navy want them together, hence the first release and two vids. So all the Taylors and Selena’s can take a seat and watch how it’s done.
LOL I’m glad I’m not the only one who still calls him Wheelchair Jimmy!
LOL I love everything about this comment
This dance style is called wining and should not be confused with twerking. Twerking goes with bounce shows as wining is to dancehalls and Carnival.
The video looks very simple … But I guess it works
this is a hit song? seriously, where have i been?
I don’t care for it. The first video is very sexy, but I don’t like the song. The second one, its like Drake is a customer in the VIP room at a strip club. Both suck? But I feel rhianna is overrated, not thàt talented and wouldn’t be as popular if she wasn’t hot and sexy. But that’s true for other stars too. I think rhianna gets a lot of passes because of her looks.
+1
I think you should listen to her new album before you make that conclusion
I’ve heard the album and I agree with Snowflake.
Bite your tongue Snowflake! She is the queen…..lots of pretty girls don’t get passes. She made her own success, But then again, we’re all entitled to our own opinion even if yours is wrong….lol!
I really hate when people think someone was just lucky. How many black women are this lucky . She so luck she has 14 #1 singles
If only someone with talent had her luck.
I didn’t mind either video, and I definitely think the chemistry between them both is palpable. Too bad the song sucks.
I really like the song. I like the first video more. It was filmed in Toronto ! I know this is dirty, but all I have to say is Drake must be really good at controlling his erections lol. He’s always getting lap dances in videos…and he’s wearing jogging pants.
The song sucks, but damn…they are hot together.
She is stunning!
I thought the video was gross. The song is basic.
I love Rihanna & Drake, but I feel like he’s too much of a wet blanket for her, and I’m glad she’s not settling… as long as she stays away from that festering sore Chris Brown.
No and no. That song is horrible and they have zero chemistry.
I hated this song when I first heard it but the videos sold it to me! I really enjoyed the first video so much. As far as the album, I felt like it was extremely weak. I would say this is her worst one yet. I hated every song but consideration. And this is coming from a former rihanna stan lol. I like it most when Rihanna does pop like music, because vocally she isn’t really strong. *runs and hides*
The video is hot and it makes me like the song more. I’m a huge Rihanna fan and ANTI is easily in top 3 best albums. Work gets good and really catchy if the more you listen to it. I think the vibe in the video makes the slurring of syllables more tolerable for some reason. And yes he’s her work husband lol ! I liked that her two besties were in the video, Jen and Mel.
The song sounds like a mockery of itself. The “der der der der der” part sounds like a drunk person forgot the lyrics and filled them in.
Can’t lie, I hate that song. But I’m a bajan so I support her to the end.