Rated R: A Peep Into Rihanna's Somber Mind

[@miickeyzreal]

One thing about Rihanna, she will bring smash hits in any record. She’s literally not your typical pop darling but she make any genre pop.

[@KarolineThePagan]

It doesn’t have to be your typical pop music.

[@liyahnicole3049]

i still cannot believe rihanna had a whole generation of 8-10 year olds singing a song like rude boy

[@sawitosis]

thats so true, my dad had the song in his ipod 😹

[@FlyingCookie13]

I grew up in the Loud era and was singing along to S&M.

[@jaydp0]

@@FlyingCookie13 hehe

[@juniperlee6642]

True. I was 11 at that time 😂 😂 😂 Edit: i was gonna be 11 that year

[@FlyingCookie13]

To add: I was four.

[@prettyfrog4176]

Am i the only one who always thought that "disturbia" belongs to rated R that would makes much sense especially the music video!!

[@schleich13ilyan78]

This is actually the problem with releasing multiple albums in a short amount of time, I also believe that Where Have You Been fits better on Unapologetic rather than Talk That Talk.

[@briepri]

Omg same!!! I thought for the longest time that Disturbia was on Rated R. But when I listened to the albums on Spotify for the 1st time I was like the hell is this doing on this album😭😂

[@sweeetzz]

@@schleich13ilyan78 see I always felt like TTT and unapologetic were sisters bc they’re almost they same rave type party music

[@bagabones5580]

I feel like she always gives a song that leads to the next project she’s gonna give maybe it’s on purpose or maybe it’s by accident but whenever I see her albums I always see a song that would fit perfects in the album after....

[@bagabones5580]

@@sweeetzz I think unapologetic is kinda like the grown up sister to TTT tho...it has a more grown sound that’s same time a lil bit more deeper

[@jockmaraisasmr5700]

I miss the days when pop girls were dark and edgy. Gaga and Rihanna had that shit on lock.

[@lmarcushicksjr7639]

Right!! Hate that they never released their collaboration "Broken Heels"

[@subhabaskaran1849]

Honesty today girls literally think they are better cause they dark or edgy it gets really annoying sometimes likeninlegit saw comment I am not most girls i don't do girly stuff I cringed so bad like let elegant feminine cute concepts exist they are just as good as badass concepts

[@_tripalong]

Billie Eilish 🤔 well I guess she's alt not a main pop girl...

[@justtester_9962]

Rated R and that Aguilera album were literally trying to bite off Gaga's Monster album success. smh!

[@rao803]

@@justtester_9962 I mean The Fame Monster came out the same week as Rated R

[@Pastyovercoat]

So many jams on Rated R. Still love Russian Roulette

[@juniperlee6642]

Me too. I can't believe the album was her least commercial album.

[@juniperlee6642]

Me too. I can't believe the album was her least commercial album.

[@ruthlessxo99]

Rated R is an amazing album!

[@BriannaK_]

"Hard" was my 10 year old self's anthem back then 😂

[@briepri]

💀💀💀💀

[@galliano100]

LOL! Same.

[@AnnyJamrock]

Omg same 😂

[@randomclips888]

😆 😂 same lol

[@lopes_2000]

Same 😂

[@Kissitbetter88]

this is album made me realize that rih has range . no other artist in her life time has done a album like RATED R

[@jaydp0]

@@pinkpunk2689 not same It not as rock or punk as Rated R is

[@sebastianrangel8885]

Manic?

[@dropfm1555]

@@sebastianrangel8885 halsey cannot be compared to rihanna 💀

[@sebastianrangel8885]

@@dropfm1555 we’re not comparing artist we’re comparing albums

[@sebastianrangel8885]

@@rubydoll2914 there’s always that one person

[@aislamcosta]

Let's set it straight. There will never be a "badgalriri" without Rated R. Even the fanbase actually named for the first time on G4L (A song you didn't mentioned but to me is also a highlight). It was important for her to exorcise any and every emotion she had at the time, so she could be able to MOVE ON and see the colors again. As she did with LOUD. That's why this album is so important in her career.

[@wendysana934]

I remember when California King Bed was released and everyone was so amazed how a sensual message turned to a ballad song. She was called a versatile. My favourite album of her is loud.

[@prettietingz5994]

I thought it was a sad song when i was a 12

[@lopes_2000]

@@prettietingz5994 me too

[@butterflyera765]

If we’re talking rihanna albums “LOUD” is top 2 and it ain’t number two.

[@yokaitoybox7649]

I love how you say "to date" like she'll ever release more music 💀

[@humanrainbowdash8101]

Drop the album queen! Just kidding, it really hurts not hearing her voice anymore

[@emmes3651]

Bite ur tongue. We must have hope

[@mebraedon]

obviously she'll have another album, it could be this year or it could be in 10 years, who knows

[@marisolgonzalez5065]

She’s not

[@maniwashere9631]

#FREER9

[@poisonivy7453]

With Rihanna every album is different she has so much range

[@charliep9432]

@Rheya Ruiz if you think anti , loud , music of the sun , unapologetic and good girl gon bad are similar at all then…

[@Premonition_333]

The Red cherry on top in rated R for me was how she was able to heal, choose happiness, and switch up her style again, in under a YEAR, to my fav album, and the album that cemented her❤️LOUD❤️

[@gabrielam.8311]

Rihanna is really a pioneer in modern era music. I love how every album of hers is something new, experimental and different. Still waiting on R9 tho😭😭

[@glorynjoku7651]

If only she knew how to sing. That Anti 'album' is a mess

[@imxel2193]

@@glorynjoku7651 not at all you’re being a hater

[@CoconutGirl333]

@@glorynjoku7651 you need to leave

[@Perina19]

​@@glorynjoku7651 lies

[@nickisson372]

i love this era, but i always have a soft spot for the loud era.

[@nickisson372]

no. it's a girl like me, loud and anti.

[@yeahiam2504]

@@nickisson372 i feel like Nicki also influenced the album

[@adetring2855]

If Rihanna ever drops a single or album do y’all just think it’s gonna go number 1 and break records cause everyone just misses her voice when she sings that much?

[@roberthightower1724]

Yes, her anticipation seems to build up every year. We’re just waiting on her to release the music at this point.

[@artgroupie]

Her first singles usually always go number one.

[@izoilica2516]

She'll always get a #1

[@WCD199317]

@@artgroupie I remember the radio not played so much the song ''Russian Roulette'' (least commercial song, but more artistic song) and was not so much successful in radios.

[@inumakisenpai]

I’d say both in how she always has hits no matter what and the anticipation for her next album is rlly strong

[@LemoNiceRock-zz4wt]

With every album riri set new hair/makeup Trends on the streets,from a Black Bob,side -cut to Red hair and Bold Lip colors everyone loved her styles

[@dayaliciousss]

Facts

[@Wonderlandhype]

Rockstar is one of the best songs she ever made hands down

[@rodrigobarrio7641]

She didnt make any of her songs

[@Wonderlandhype]

@@rodrigobarrio7641 ...okay it's one of the best songs she ever sung...

[@carleisaid8385]

@@Wonderlandhype PERIOD 💯

[@iliassalhi8098]

Yes. The bass, the guitar rifs. It s stunning. I listen to the instrumental sometimes.

[@butterjohnson5072]

Still one of my favs songs rockstar don’t get enough love.

[@codenamechanel]

My favorite Rihanna album it’s a classic G4L, wait your turn , HARD,Russian roulette, stupid in love and let’s never forget Rude Boy literally inspired the girlies to start doing “pop Caribbean”

[@guinessbeer]

I miss Rihanna so much! The world was a better place when she was making music...

[@kybunnii]

Agreed

[@User38344]

Nah it was depressing Era when she made music

[@imxel2193]

@@User38344 no

[@User38344]

@@imxel2193 yes it was songs are all about nuidity its depressing

[@abelcollado1711]

@@User38344 A artist can put nudity in their music videos all they want, but are you actually listening lyrics? If you was to only pay attention to the nudity/visuals, you wouldn't listen to any artist. Edit: (with exception of "Rude Boy") all of those songs didnt even have or mention nudity. Imagine calling a song like "Russian Roulette" nudity lmao.

[@katrina7679]

i vividly remember when this album came out, she said she didnt care who liked it as long as kings of leon liked it lol

[@xanderdrawings]

As a Rihanna Navy member I can confidently say this is her best album and it's unlikely she'll top it.

[@ef5993]

Ehh I kinda think ANTI topped it but I can understand why you’d say Rated R.

[@laylascott6096]

Anti topped it imo but I still like rated r

[@bagabones5580]

Y’all remember when she sang rude boy at the kids choice awards with some damn robots in the back whining with her??? Lmaoooo

[@niccole3542]

Omg I remember that performance.

[@NkirukasWrld]

I remember listening to these songs when I was younger and just singing along without understanding the meaning lol and now when I listen to it again... oh boy

[@prettyfrog4176]

This the album that starts the speculations about Rihanna being a part of Illuminati 🤭😂 what a time

[@ArianneGrenade]

She is part of the illuminati tho Edit: I get it now. She was mocking them mb forget this happened

[@MS-mo1pj]

@@ArianneGrenade and Ariana too 🙄

[@miaa1762]

@@ArianneGrenade girl, what. I am an arianator but you're making the fandom look bad

[@ArianneGrenade]

@@miaa1762 what

[@jaidermosquera5629]

Illuminati isn't what you think.

[@Bpxcx]

Who else wants to see honest cover the rise of hyperpop and the life and tragic passing of Sophie

[@embervogel1253]

Me oh my godd

[@moon_card]

YES!!!

[@rabielamrabet1533]

He thinks that little mix are the best girl group that exists rn what does he know about hyperpop lol

[@jozuapatalan1594]

Yessss

[@italywilson4255]

@@rabielamrabet1533 i’m pretty sure he’s a Charli XCX fan so he knows about it 💀

[@ArtsyFartsy010]

Rated R was definitely an underrated classic that really showed parts of her range we haven’t heard before. If Rated R came out today the success would be sooooo different because of her vulnerability

[@fatalfenly6696]

That Rihanna reign just won't let up!!! 👑

[@gioapolinario11]

Even being like... A ten year old at the time I would sing russian roulette with so much heart because even not understanding you could feel...

[@elroe327]

Honest please make more Rihanna content. Like can you also make a video about anti?

[@FlyingCookie13]

I'd also like to see a video addressing the Loud era, as that's my childhood era and Rihanna's best album imo.

[@MeMarcusTheCreator]

@@FlyingCookie13 he already made a video about the loud era called red haired Rihanna

[@acwesty]

This is my absolute favorite album by Rihanna to date. I understand how most people wouldn’t click with this and how it would be one of the fandom’s least favorite albums, but I believe this is her most artistic and more expressive album. I also find myself attached to a bunch of songs on there, either for their meaning or for their lyrical content. Examples like Stupid In Love hold great meaning to me, and Russian Roulette are beautifully written with great story behind them.

[@bebe_xcx]

I’m glad you brought Rated R up. It’s very underrated but it does deserve credit cause it was a very big change to what makes Rihanna today.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love this album. I was like 7-8 at the time but I still loved hearing songs from this album on the radio.

[@dlo7253]

I feel like every pop star always has that dark, edgy, and switch album. There always on a certain era of the popstar whether they experience something messed up on there personal life and such. From Taylor's reputation, Britney's Blackout, Rih's Rated R, and Gaga's Born This Way. I'm still waiting for Katy, I know she suits rock sounds.

[@kathpie1ce]

Katy’s could of been witness tbh.

[@dlo7253]

@@kathpie1ce tru, but that was a mess lol

[@kevinrentz8773]

@@strangerpilots9212 Plastic hearts is her dark era. MIDNIGHT SKY is the only light pop song on the album. Never be me, Hate me etc. All dark and raw as fuck.

[@popcraze4127]

And almost all of these dark albums were so good and most were probably their best albums. To add,Avril have under my skin,Kelly Clarkson have, my December. The one I like most of all these "dark" albums are reputation and blackout.

[@briepri]

@@dlo7253 GIRL WHAT? The era was a mess I agree but the album is good 😭😭😭

[@g4l625]

Exactly I've always said that rude boy should've been on loud and man down on rated r,

[@jordanhaynes8565]

I love the way you lie would've fit perfectly with the darkness of Rated R.

[@yeahiam2504]

Rude boy is an indication to LOUD.Every album of hers has a song that fits the next album,she does it on purpose

[@toumbadarhyl]

Skin should have bee in Rated R too !

[@yeahiam2504]

@@toumbadarhyl noo wtf

[@Ke1ko7]

Imma need this in-depth analysis of all her albums tbh, loved this

[@CrustyUgg]

Rude Boy brings back so many memories. I had just started using opiates at that time and have lots of great memories even tho it was the beginning of decades long addiction

[@myyKINDALOVee]

Fire bomb still makes me cry to this day. Rated R is such a masterpiece!

[@M360-w6o]

Great analysis. I would say Disturbia was like a preview for what was to come on Rated R and Rude Boy was a preview of what was to come on Loud.

[@sedi2066]

I liked the the dark aesthetic of this album. I loved the black and white visuals and the range she showcased vocally. Cold case love is such a beautiful song wish she had a video put out for that song

[@terrysantacruz6117]

Rated R is a work of art 💕 I really miss hearing her singing but I still listen to unapologetic, rated R, loud, and anti regularly

[@MetriToombs]

Earliest I’ve been! And for Rated R! My favorite Rihanna project!!!

[@georgekargbo8667]

Rihanna literally has multiple personalities

[@RossGill]

So delighted that you've made a video focusing on Rihanna, especially as this is one of my favourite albums ever! Would love to see you touch on Anti or GGGB next.

[@RossGill]

Also Rude Boy was added to Rated R to emphasise freedom / liberty after experiencing trauma

[@ultraviolencedelrey]

It makes you so sad to remember how Chris treated Rihanna, she never deserved it

[@plamenasiniye]

Honestly, this is her best album after Anti.

[@antbing1831]

*unapologetic hides in the corner*

[@emjae2]

Yes!

[@THEMOCU]

I fucking miss her music, I'm happy she's building an empire with fendy but come on, i miss queen riri :,(

[@darekdylo8993]

This is her best album alongside anti. The lyrics in cold case love, fire bomb and russian roulette even te amo are some of the best in modern music in terms of cleverness while still being melodic and emotive.

[@olivergarrick672]

Rihanna is a icon she talented she bring smash hit in any record she is literally not typical pop darling she make any genre pop sound good😘

[@jhonsonsilva]

I love and respect so much this album, is like when you're hurt but you want to do something about it even if it means to just sit and cry.... Was the first album that I bought of her and was my favorite one before anti but remains very appreciated even in second place

[@bennshouts]

When G4L isn't mentioned at all :'( Still my favourite Rhi album of all time SO HAPPY YOU DID A VIDEO ON THIS.

[@lmfao7224]

one thing that’s crazy is take a bow came out in 2008 but the song perfectly fits the 2009 situation you’d almost think it came out at the same tome

[@jaylon.braxton]

This is my favorite Rihanna album. The emotion, the depth, so nostalgic!

[@jjanonymous8281]

ANTI is my favorite album. The whole thing is a bop

[@cnomi8447]

Rated R is definitely in my top 3 Rihanna albums. I had the CD and everything

[@isc6197]

you should do this with all rihanna’s discography. my favorite aesthetically and sound wise is talk that talk

[@j_s552]

I was in middle school when this album came out and i loved it then and i love it now. It is most definitely dark but when you come from a dark place, you understand the metaphor in the lyrics. Most definitely needed a parental disclosure because of how dark it can get. But when you understand her story and find correlation in your own life, because you may be suffering in some sense too, it’s amazing to sing along to and it can hit you deeper that can help heal you.

[@derikjohnson7934]

I’ve been waiting on you to cover this era of Rihanna.

[@fbarrosanderson]

These videos revisiting older albums are your best work! Loved the Velvet Rope and this one too! Please make more!

[@ananananana627]

Damn shes got such great and versatile discography, I really miss her music :)

[@pamela2038]

Rated R dropped right after the altercation. I also remember being chocked that they still decided to release it as you can clear see the trauma in it. Whoever knows her story will love this album and understand the story behind. ❤️

[@abelcollado1711]

Yep, I agree. You can definitely hear the pain and how hard it was for her to sing these songs.

[@darrianandre]

hard is really an underrated bop and ROCKSTAR???? HELLO?

[@titihamilton9247]

When I was little I seen Beyoncé as perfect artist and Rihanna as the unique artist.....Both totally different

[@quail57]

There are so many great songs in this album, and to disagree, I actually think it's Rihanna's second best, after Anti. She took risks and there's not a bad track. Rude body, Hard, Russian Roulette, Rockstar, te amo, and Photographs just to name a few. Highly underappreciated album, imho. Her first true showcasing of her artistry.

[@wplants9793]

She’s a Pisces. I LOVED the live band feel of Rated R. Her presence is rich in this album. Although not as influential, it is *kind* of like Britney’s Blackout.

[@lmfao7224]

cant believe this was 12 years ago, i still remember this like it was yesterday. imma still listen to it today

[@juliemurphy9412]

This album got me through some DARK times in my life. This album is an absolute masterpiece

[@shimeih2287]

Ok. I clicked on the notification, thought it was a premier, then saw the title haha.... I still stayed for the content. 'Honest' , you have really outdone yourself on this one Gosh, I love this album so much

[@zacharyrivas8074]

I don't care what people say, Rated R will always be my favorite Rihanna album! ❤

[@Boonies]

I miss her 🥺

[@azaleamiles669]

2 posts in under 24 hours? Okay Honest feeding the girls ☺️

[@edwardchen9619]

russian roulette is so deep into her soul, yu can feel her pain

[@acesiriwats]

Rated R is the badass and I still in love till this day x

[@aryles.]

Rockstar always hits different ✨ that song is ahead of its time ✨

[@Kayyleeeeee]

Wait your turn and hard are two of my fav songs by her

[@cannibalangel2341]

Stupid in Love is an underrated & under appreciated song

[@_ekb_5686]

@Rheya Ruiz Girl get a life. Beyoncé is washed up

[@AikiraBeats]

This is my favorite album by her I wish she had gone into the rock genre more

[@poisonivy7453]

Idc if she didn’t write any songs on good girl gone bad because she embodys the songs and gives a FULL performance and makes it her song

[@laylascott6096]

She just isn’t a song writer, and that’s okay. She doesn’t claim to be one. Some artists can still take the song and make it theirs. Whitney didn’t write either

[@WCD199317]

@@laylascott6096 She really started to written her songs after ''Rated R''. Unlike the three first albums, she was the main writer of the album, written nine tracks of the album. ''Photographs'' was add at the last minute, because she recording this song a month before the released of the album.

[@unavailable0399]

@@laylascott6096 but whitney had immense talent and could sing. Rihanna is not a good singer.

[@queertitan]

I felt that when you said this album solidified rihanna as an artist. I grew a deep love for her when this album dropped

[@OhBriBre12]

This is her best album ever it was so slept on !!!

[@sublemanalz4580]

Decent? Oh hell nah... First of all thats the only album where she was such versatile with both vocals and song choices. Not to even mention her tour after that. That era was her best yet. She proved she deserved a spot in music industry. Get it right!

[@emjae2]

@Rheya Ruiz No once is forcing anything. Rihanna doesn’t force anything either. She’s done so many genres and made it hit. Her music is versatile, her voice is versatile, her fashion is versatile, even her venturing into business, fashion and makeup could be considered versatile 🤷🏾‍♀️ Just because she doesn’t fully write all of her songs doesn’t make her “not deserving” of her spot in the music industry. Have you ever considered that everyone’s creative processes are....different? She’s always involved in the making of her music, whether she’s penning the songs or not. She always contributes to the work she does; music, fashion, makeup, etc. Everyone she’s worked with has said that. Why do y’all like to discredit artists who don’t write everything?? Also just because you write a song does not automatically make it good 💀

[@maxstebrew6738]

Rockstar 101 really was my song that amped up my confidence. I also lived for Wait Your Turn, but it took forever for me to realise that Russian Roulette was not in fact called "Trigger" or "Pull the Trigger" 😂

[@enricomariafortuna3983]

russian roulette is easily one of her best singles

[@blueblue2948]

What Now still brings me to some wired place in my head (I know it is not from this album)

[@lucas6297]

this was the first CD i ever bought and it was the soundtrack to my childhood, this album is a masterpiece.

[@Ashleyaireonna]

rude boy is to this day a banger

[@frostyausty7902]

Her best album. Always has been.

[@zacharyrivas8074]

I completely agree with you!

[@kingderald]

Rated R was always my favorite album from her catalog. It felt like her emotionally! It solidified me as a Stan!

[@aritergriffande4563]

The intro is banging and for why?!

[@Chrismoore95146]

There is a rumor that after the release of "Good Girl Gone Bad " until the Incident between her and Chris Brown , she was going to release an Album called "Dark Angels " but due to the incident between Rihanna AND Chris Brown , that had pushed her to release "Rated R" , she was going to continue the sound of GGB era into "Dark Angels".

[@alexismyers6853]

I remember imagining that I was in a horror movie when listening to Mad house, and then Wait your turn. Fire bomb is probably my favorite. I loved this entire album, and it really made me a fan of hers.

[@blessedbrebre]

Mad House, Wait Your Turn, and Russian Roulette are my all time favorite Rihanna songs.

[@da-lx4gz]

Favorite album and era of hers to this day

[@bbbbbbbbbb0]

This was amazing. Visually and concept-wise, this is my fave Rihanna era. Loud is 2nd! Please do more videos on her eras.

[@ryangoh7371]

Legend has it that she will forever stick to Fenti beauty and never come back to music.

[@abelcollado1711]

"Rude Boy" is a way of Rihanna trying to rekindle something that is dying in her relationship by trying to make him laugh/happy. "Photographs" is right after "Rude Boy" and this is a song about someone who fell out of love with her, and all she has are these memories together. 1 of the many things when it comes to creating an album, is to think of the track listing. Your tracklisting has to be good if you properly want to convey your message. "I remember when I used to make you laugh" (Photographs), she's referencing "Rude Boy" and how she tried to make him laugh and cheer up but she realizes it isn't working. Albums are a story and each song tells a piece of that story, so you have to look at the overall meaning of the album when you think a song doesn't fit. To me "Rude Boy" fits perfectly, because at some point you might convince yourself that you could try and save the relationship, but you realize it isn't working/you failed (Photographs).

[@anam.1800]

Russian roulette is to this day, my fav Rihanna song and her best vocals, for sure.

[@sylvanawilliams8955]

BRB gonna have a rated r appreciation day

[@bs1302]

Anti and rated r are my favorite albums of hers

[@siahtaylor4051]

Even though the album isn’t my favorite, i loves the dark turn she took with this album

[@chloebenjamin3750]

I thought Rated R was one of her best albums to date. That album had so many classics.