Hard (song)

"Hard"
Single by Rihanna featuring Jeezy
from the album Rated R
Released (see release history)
Recorded October 2009
Studios Davout
(Paris, France)
Genre Hip hop, R&B
Length 4:12
Label Def Jam
Writer(s) Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Robyn Fenty, Jay Jenkins
Producer The-Dream, Tricky Stewart
Rihanna singles chronology
"Russian Roulette"
(2009)		 "Hard"
(2009)		 "Redemption Song"
(2010)
Young Jeezy singles chronology
"Fed Up"
(2009)		 "Hard"
(2009)		 "(Ha Ha) Slow Down"
(2010)

"Hard" is a song performed by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna. The song features American rapper Jeezy. It is the second single released in the United States and fourth single in United Kingdom from her fourth studio album Rated R. It first impacted U.S. rhythmic and urban radio on November 10, 2009, and mainstream radio on November 23, 2009. It was released in August 2010 in UK as the fourth single.[1] It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Rihanna, and Jeezy, and produced by The-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart.

The song received positive reviews, which complimented the song's hip-hop vibe and Rihanna's monotone vocals. The song peaked in the top ten of Canada and the United States, and although it was only released to U.S. radio and the country UK, the song's digital success abroad helped it chart in several other countries as well. It was later certified Platinum in the United States. The accompanying music video features Rihanna and Jeezy in militaristic desert scenes, and received mixed reviews, with critics noting its vulgarity and portrayal of war. Rihanna performed the song at a number of live events and venues. The song has been remixed a few times, including a feature by Lil Kim, and a freestyle by Trey Songz. On June 27, 2010, the song won Rihanna and Jeezy the Viewer's Choice Award at the 2010 BET Awards, becoming Rihanna's second and Jeezy's first BET Award win.

Contents

Background

In an interview, producer Mikkel S. Eriksen had confirmed "Wait Your Turn" as the second single from the Rated R, however, it was later announced that "Hard" was chosen instead.[2][3] In an interview with MTV, Rihanna said:

When I first heard the song, I was in Paris, Dream and Tricky, they flew out and played me the record. They played me a few [songs], but this one stuck out to me. It had such an arrogance to it, which is so far from who I am ... which is part of why I wanted to do it. It was fun. It was bragging. A lot of attitude. Young Jeezy was the perfect person for the topic of the song. Just the vibe of the song. I love, love, love his verse. He added so much more to the record.[4]

When speaking to Rap-Up before the song's name or any details were released, Tricky Stewart said "I can’t talk about what happened, but it’s really good for me [laughs]. We delivered a very, very big record, but I can’t say what the name of it is or anything, just for the simple fact that it’s actually top secret. It’s definitely going to be a single. It’s either going to be the first or the second single. I do know that."[5] Stewart described the song as "edgy", and a "club banger".[5] When asked if the song was bigger than "Umbrella", he said "No, it’s different. It’s a superstar taking a step in a totally different direction."[5] The song was Jeezy's first recording in which he was credited as only "Jeezy", instead of his longtime stage name "Young Jeezy".[6] It was released as a digital download on January 19, 2010.[7]

Critical reception

Monica Herrerra of Billboard says that in the song, "Rihanna effectively assumes the hip-hop posture and even recruits the ultimate street cred-booster in rapper Young Jeezy, who provides the thrust needed to send a song with a somewhat inert chorus home."[8] Although Rihanna was not in her "typical comfort zone", she said the "atypical is precisely what she has aimed for with her new material-and it works."[8] The Guardian commented that "Hard" "exploit[s] Rihanna's most appealing vocal style, a sulky, icy, monotone – uniquely among the pantheon of showboating R&B divas, Rihanna often sounds as if she's about to roll her eyes and tut. It undercuts the standard braggathon of Hard – 'fan mail from 27 million,' she offers, in a tone that suggests she's disappointed most of them didn't even bother to include a stamped addressed envelope."[9] Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune said that Rihanna "lashes out" on the song, with "help from an even harder-edged MC, Young Jeezy."[10]

New Musical Express said "though Jay-Z wasn’t involved in the production of the record, his influence is tangible", and that "Rihanna echoes his internal rhymes in her intonation – ‘Brilliant, resilient, fan mail from 27million [sic]‘.[11] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly included "Hard" in a list of Rated R's "string of baddest-bitch boasts via dancehall-riddim'd bangers".[12] Rap Reviews said the song was "solid and catchy", and "a triumphant Jackson Five anthem."[13] The review also said "Jeezy's verse is characteristically strong", however, the song had a "limited scope on the dancefloor" and needed "to be 5bpm or so quicker".[13] Pitchfork Media said that some of the album's "bulletproof guise is good for the record's high point on 'Hard', a strutting statement of power bolstered by a roiling undertow of a beat."[14]

Chart performance

"Hard" debuted eighty on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 27, 2009. The following week it jumped sixty-one positions to nineteen. Four weeks later, it climbed to eleven, then fell to eighteen, but recovered to enter the top ten, eventually peaking at number eight, becoming Rihanna's second consecutive top ten hit from Rated R. It also was her thirteenth top ten single and sixteenth top twenty hit this decade, re-tying her with Beyoncé Knowles as the female artist with the most Top 10's on the Billboard Hot 100 this decade.[15] The song peaked at fourteen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, nine on the Pop Songs, and at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was later certified Platinum in the U.S, selling over 1,000,000 copies.[16]

Although it was only sent to US radio, the song made international impact. It entered the Australian Singles Chart at eighty-six before peaking at fifty-one, and did not have much impact thereafter due to the release of "Rude Boy" as a single only a few weeks after "Hard" had been on the radio. On the New Zealand Singles Chart "Hard" debuted at thirty five. "Hard" entered the Canadian Hot 100 at fifteen, and peaked at nine. It also entered the Irish Singles Chart at forty-four on January 15, 2010, and climbed eleven places to thirty-three the following week to become Rihanna's fourteenth top forty solo single in Ireland. "Hard" debuted at fifty-five on the UK Singles Chart and at seventeen on the UK R&B Chart on January 17, 2010. It rose to forty-two on the singles chart the following week and to fourteen on the R&B chart.

As "Hard" was released in UK it re-entered charts there. The song took the position 37 for the week of August 14, 2010 on the UK R&B singles chart[17] and has since peaked 23.[18]On the UK Singles Chart it placed itself at 64 for the week of August 28, 2010.[19]

Music video

Rihanna in a desert scene in the "Hard" video

The music video was filmed in early December 2009, directed by Melina, and first premiered on MTV on December 17.[20][21] Prior to the video, Rihanna stated in an interview with MTV News, "It's couture-military. Everything is surrounded by the whole idea of something military. We have tanks, we have troops, we've got helicopters, we've got explosions… Tight gear, lots of cute outfits, lots of bullets. Crazy."[21] The video features Rihanna, and briefly Jeezy, in a variety of desert and military scenes. Some images in the video portray Rihanna standing in the desert wearing war paint and shoulder pads with spikes coming out of them, which Kyle Anderson of MTV News says, "recalls the classic clip for 2Pac's 'California Love.'"[21]

The video begins with Rihanna addressing her troops while wearing a garrison cap, sunglasses, and a stylized white top. She next appears walking through the desert wearing a black outfit with spiked shoulder pads, while land mines explode around her.[21] Then she is shown rolling in mud and covering herself in it. There is also a scene with her playing poker, and winning. She is also briefly shown on top of a pink tank with a mouse-eared helmet. During Jeezy's verse, she is shown with a gun, which alternates with shots of him riding a tank. At the end of the video she waves a large flag with an "R" logo. Throughout the video Rihanna is seen indoors wearing an open green fatigue shirt with a nude body suit.

Peter Gaston of Spin Magazine said that the video is "Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation' meets Christina Aguilera's 'Dirrty' [sic] phase." Gaston also reviewed that "Rihanna vamps in dimly lit outposts, dodges explosions in the desert, and, quite enticingly, takes a break from boot camp to smother herself with mud. Morale-boosting, indeed!"[22] Bill Lamb of About.com reviewed the video negatively, saying that it trivialized and glamorized war, calling it, "one of the most tasteless, offensive moves by a major pop artist in recent memory", pointing out that he "...fail[s] to understand the point of Rihanna humping the gun turret of a pink tank dressed in Mickey Mouse ears", and "the star of the show strutting around in panties and naked breasts with black electrical tape over nipples and elsewhere treating a tank as a sex toy." To-date the video watched 26 million times in YouTube.

Live performances

Rihanna performing "Hard" on her Last Girl on Earth Tour.

"Hard" was performed live for the first time on November 8, 2009 at Jay-Z's concert at UCLA Pauley Pavilion.[23] The song was also performed at the Nokia concert promoting Rated R on November 16, 2009,[24] and notably at the American Music Awards as a medley alongside "Wait Your Turn" on November 22, 2009.[25] Rihanna and Jeezy performed the song on Saturday Night Live on December 5, 2009,[26] and on BET's 106 & Park on December 10, 2009.[27] She also performed the song on NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly 2010,[28] and on The Ellen Degeneres Show on February 1, 2010.[29] She performed the song on February 4, 2009 at the Super Bowl Fan Jam on VH1 along with performers Timbaland and Justin Bieber.[30] On March 27, 2010, Rihanna performed the song as part of a medley with "Rude Boy" and "Don't Stop the Music" at the 2010 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.[31] On May 23, she performed the song at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend Music Festival.[32] "Hard" was performed during Rihanna' s 2010 Last Girl on Earth Tour. It was the second song of the set list.[33]

Remixes

Several official remixes were released for "Hard", including one featuring Lil' Kim.[34] American R&B singer Trey Songz has also released a freestyle over the beat.[35]

Charts, certifications and procession

Charts

Chart (2009/2010) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[36] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[37] 33
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[38] 82
New Zealand (RIANZ)[39] 15
Slovakia (IFPI)[40] 21
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 26
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[42] 42
US Billboard Hot 100[43] 8
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[44] 1

Certifications

Region Provider Certification(s) Sales
United States RIAA Platinum[16] 1,000,000+

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by
"Telephone" by Lady Gaga & Beyoncé		 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs number-one single
March 6, 2010		 Succeeded by
"The Power of Music" by Kristine W

Radio and release history

Radio add dates

Country Date Format
United States November 10, 2009 Rhythmic and urban[45][46]
November 23, 2009 Top 40/Mainstream[47]

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States January 19, 2010[48] The Remixes - Digital EP Def Jam
United Kingdom August 16, 2010[49] CD single

References

  1. ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a37650/singles-release-diary-200910-archive.html
  2. ↑ "Spotted: Rihanna's Makes A 'Rated R' Apperance On German TV". MTV. December 11, 2009. http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/12/11/spotted-rihannas-makes-a-rated-r-apperance-on-german-tv/. Retrieved January 2, 2009. 
  3. ↑ Minaya, Marcell (2009-10-24). "Rihanna's next single announced?". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a183504/rihannas-next-single-announced.html. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
  4. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2009-11-11). "Rihanna 'Loves, Loves, Loves' Young Jeezy's Verse On 'Hard' - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625977/20091110/index.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-12-10. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lazerine, David (2009-10-18). "Tricky Stewart: Rihanna Single Is a ‘Monster’". Rap-Up. http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/18/tricky-stewart-rihanna-single-is-a-monster/. Retrieved 2010-04-06. 
  6. ↑ "Jeezy Is No Longer Young". Rap-Up. 2010-03-19. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/03/19/jeezy-is-no-longer-young/. Retrieved 2010-03-19. 
  7. ↑ iTunes, 2010, http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hard-the-remixes-feat-jeezy/id349691629, retrieved 2010-06-26 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Herrera, Monica (2009-12-09). "Rihanna, "Hard"". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/new-releases/rihanna-hard-1004051206.story. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
  9. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (2010-11-19). "Rihanna: Rated R". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/19/rihanna-cd-review. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  10. ↑ Kot, Greg (2009-11-20). "Album review: Rihanna, 'Rated R'". Chicago Tribune. http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r-.html. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  11. ↑ Malone, Ailbhe. "Album review: Rihanna - 'Rated R' (Mercury)". NME. http://www.nme.com/reviews/10985. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  12. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (2009-11-18). "Rated R (2009) - Rihanna". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20320917,00.html. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Padania, Jesal (2009-11-17). "Rihanna :: Rated R :: Def Jam". Rap Reviews. http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_rihannaratedr.html. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  14. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (2009-12-02). "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Rihanna: Rated R". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13740-rated-r/. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  15. ↑ Trust, Gary (2010-01-14). "Chart Beat Thursday: Ke$ha, Elvis Presley, Rihanna". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media Inc.. http://www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat/chart-beat-thursday-ke-ha-elvis-presley-1004059241.story. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Rihanna RIAA Singles Certifications". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=rihanna&format=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  17. ↑ http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/16/2010-08-14/
  18. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rnbsingles
  19. ↑ http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=34720
  20. ↑ "Rihanna Changes Pace with ‘Hard’ Video". Rap-Up.com. http://www.rap-up.com/2009/12/01/rihanna-changes-pace-with-hard-video/#more-32911. Retrieved 2009-12-10. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Anderson, Kyle (2009-12-14). "Rihanna's 'Hard' Video: Check Out A Preview!". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628197/20091214/rihanna.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
  22. ↑ Gaston, Peter (2009-12-18). "WATCH: Rihanna's 'Hard' Video". Spin Magazine. http://www.spin.com/articles/watch-rihannas-hard-video. Retrieved 2010-02-17. 
  23. ↑ "Music - News - Rihanna 'debuts new song at Jay-Z gig'". Digital Spy. 2009-11-09. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a186033/rihanna-debuts-new-song-at-jay-z-gig.html. Retrieved 2009-12-10. 
  24. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (November 6, 2009). "Rihanna To Preview Rated R In Worldwide Webcast". MTV. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625669/20091106/rihanna.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-03-29. 
  25. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (2009-11-22). "Rihanna Electrifies American Music Awards With 'Wait Your Turn' And 'Hard'". MTV. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626835/20091122/rihanna.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-02-28. 
  26. ↑ Gilmore, Story (2009-12-06). "Rihanna And Young Jeezy Perform “Hard” On Saturday Night Live". Neon Limelight. http://neonlimelight.com/2009/12/06/rihanna-and-young-jeezy-perform-hard-on-saturday-night-live/. Retrieved 2010-03-29. 
  27. ↑ Winistorfer, Andrew (2009-12-14). ""Hard" f. Young Jeezy (Live On 106 & Park) (Video)". Prefix Magazine. http://www.prefixmag.com/media/rihanna/hard-f-young-jeezy-live-on-106-park-video/35649/. Retrieved 2010-02-28. 
  28. ↑ "NBC.com - Rihanna To Perform On 'NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly,' Thursday, December 31". NBC. NBC Universal. December 14, 2009. http://www.nbc.com/news/2009/12/14/rihanna-to-perform-on-nbcs-new-years-eve-with-carson-daly-thursday-december-31/. Retrieved 2010-03-29. 
  29. ↑ "Video of the Day: Watch Rihanna's Performance of Hard". Warner Bros.. http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/02/rihanna-music-0201.php. Retrieved 2010-02-28. 
  30. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (2010-02-05). "Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Young Jeezy Rock VH1's 'Super Bowl Fan Jam 2010'". MTV. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631364/20100205/rihanna.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-02-28. 
  31. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (February 24, 2010). "Justin Bieber And Rihanna To Perform At Kids' Choice Awards". MTV Website. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632567/20100224/bieber_justin.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-03-29. 
  32. ↑ "Radio 1's Big Weekend 2010 - Rihanna". BBC. 2010-05-18. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2010/artists/rihanna/. Retrieved 2010-07-08. 
  33. ↑ "Rihanna lights up the Netherlands with a dazzling display...but her Belgian fans were left disappointed | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. 2010-04-20. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1267260/Rihanna-lights-Netherlands-dazzling-display--Belgian-fans-left-disappointed.html. Retrieved 2010-07-08. 
  34. ↑ "New Music:Rihanna f/Lil Kim "Hard" Freestyle". Rap-Up. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/01/13/new-music-rihanna-f-lil-kim-hard-remix/. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  35. ↑ "New Music: Trey Songz - 'Hard' (Rihanna Freestyle)". Rap-Up. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/01/12/new-music-trey-songz-hard-rihanna-freestyle/. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  36. ↑ "rihanna Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for rihanna. Prometheus Global Media.
  37. ↑ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. GfK.
  38. ↑ "rihanna Album & Song Chart History" Japan Hot 100 for rihanna. Prometheus Global Media.
  39. ↑ "Charts.org.nz - Rihanna - Hard". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
  40. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda - RADIO TOP100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201004 into search.
  41. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com - Rihanna - Hard". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
  42. ↑ "Chart Stats - Rihanna - Hard" UK Singles Chart. Chart Stats.
  43. ↑ "rihanna Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for rihanna. Prometheus Global Media.
  44. ↑ "rihanna Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play for rihanna. Prometheus Global Media.
  45. ↑ "Radio & Records - November 10, 2009". R&R. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/10/2009&Format=9. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  46. ↑ "Radio & Records - November 10, 2009". R&R. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/10/2009&Format=5. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  47. ↑ "Radio & Records - November 23, 2009". R&R. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/23/2009&Format=1. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  48. ↑ "Hard (The Remixes) (feat. Jeezy) - by Rihanna". iTunes. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hard-the-remixes-feat-jeezy/id349691629. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
  49. ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a37650/singles-release-diary-200910-archive.html

External links

Rihanna singles
Discography · Awards and nominations · Songs
Music of the Sun
"Pon de Replay" • "If It's Lovin' that You Want"
A Girl like Me
"SOS" • "Unfaithful" • "We Ride" • "Break It Off"
Good Girl Gone Bad
"Umbrella" • "Shut Up and Drive" • "Hate That I Love You" • "Don't Stop the Music" • "Take a Bow" • "Disturbia" • "Rehab"
Rated R
"Russian Roulette" • "Hard" • "Rude Boy" • "Rockstar 101" • "Te Amo"
Loud
"Only Girl (In the World)" • "What's My Name?"
Featured singles
"Roll It" • "If I Never See Your Face Again" • "Live Your Life" • "Run This Town" • "Love the Way You Lie" • "Who's That Chick?"
Other songs
"Breakin' Dishes" • "Just Stand Up!" • "Wait Your Turn" • "Redemption Song" • "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" • "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)"
Wikipedia book Book · Category Category · Portal Portal
Young Jeezy
Albums
Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.) · Come Shop wit Me · Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 · The Inspiration · The Recession · TM 103
Singles
"And Then What" · "Soul Survivor" · "Go Crazy" · "My Hood" · "I Luv It" · "Go Getta" · "Dreamin'" · "Put On" · "Vacation" · "Crazy World" · "Who Dat" · "My President" · "Lose My Mind" · "All White Everything" · "Jizzle"
Featured songs
"Icy" · "Get Throwed" · "Say I" · "Grew Up a Screw Up" · "Top Back (Remix)" · "Diamonds" · "5000 Ones" · "100 Million" · "Love in This Club" · "Louie" · "Out Here Grindin" · "I'm So Paid" · "Never Ever" · "Amazing" · "Better Believe It" · "I'm Goin' In" · "Fed Up" · "Hard" · "Put Your Hands Up" · "(Ha Ha) Slow Down"" · Just Like That"
Related articles
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