Bu Thiam’s A&R Chronicles: Rihanna Wants An Album Like ‘Thriller’
June 15, 2010 | Posted by Rodrigo at 11:10 pm




Via VIBE.com: “What’s up, this is Bu and I’ve linked up with VIBE.COM for a new blog series. I’m going to be chronicling my experiences and role as an A&R. I have big shoes to fill as the Vice President of Def Jam, and I want you all to take a walk with me on Vibe.com. I should start by letting you know a little more about what I actually do and then give y’all a little sneak peek of what I’ve been working on. [...]

Rihanna is coming along incredibly. I’m trying to push her to where every song will be a hit from 1 to 12. I’m talking about NO album fillers. Our bar for this album is Michael Jackson’s Thriller. We got smashes from Stargate, Ester Dean, Mel & Mus and Rock City. We’re definitely going in with Ne-Yo, The-Dream and other writers and producers that have always been a part of her creative process since day one. She’s great to work with and very hands on with every song that’s being written and produced. She has visual concepts for just about every song. It’s already giving me the feel of a timeless album, and right now is her time.”

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I cannot WAIT for this album. Although there is no way it will be as good as Thriller (duh), it will be really good from what people are saying. What do you guys think?

I swear if this turns into another Rated R...

The key word is wants.

I hate when musicians compare their albums to Thriller. Thriller is a classical masterpiece and will never be remade.

Can't wait for Rihanna's new album, though Happy they are going for GGGB: Part 2!

She's with A&M..?

Then it will be one of her greatest albums.

Not for me.

No, I've had enough of the "Dark" stuff. It's time to party!

No no no.
It can be fun, but you are NO stan if all you want is just upbeat generic music.
It can be fun, but it has to be different and new.
Ill be pissed if its just regular, dumb, dance songs.

That's what AGLM and MOTS are for. (I love Rihanna, but they're her worst albums)


She can strike a balance between Rated R and GGGB: Reloaded. Let's hope she does it so everyone is happy.

What? Rihanna to Michael!? Is this man crazy?????

Hopefully she can find that balance of emotional songs that are good and dance music that sells.

I don't think that these people were being like literal...they mean that they are trying to create an album in which all the songs are good single material so it can sell well.

They are just doin' their daily hating exercise.

Anyway the Thriller comment was just stupid because NO ONE (not only Rihanna) will ever top MJ/Thriller for several reasons but she didn't say it herself. She will never... you won't ever hear her saying "my next single will be the anthem of this generation", "my next video is a masterpiece" etc she's not like that. I'm sure she has very ambitious goals though.

BTW this guy is Akon's brother. I didn't know he was the new Vice President over at IDJ. It must be a family thing. They all have big egos or so it seems.

Again I guess he was basically comparing the consistency of "Thriller" (ie. no fillers) to the new material she's been recording but I hate this cocky producer/business people talk.

I do trust Rihanna's ear and talent though, and she said she's very excited about the material that they've been recording, so we'll see. Last time she wanted an album full of hits we got GGGB!

Why are they trying so hard to have HIT from 1 to 12?

Why are people comparing things to "Thriller"? It's getting quite annoying.

I don't know why everyone is freaking out and saying they hope it's not a Rated R pt. 2 (not that it would be bad to have another album like that). From the description it's very obvious they're taking this in a completely different direction and looking for a sound with mass appeal and hit potential, therefore, I'd hazard to guess they are avoiding the dark stuff like the plague.