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"S.O.S" making "Pon De Replay" look like a slow start
SOS making waves
Date February 05, 2006
Brief SOS making waves
by Ricky Jordan
Rihanna's first single, SOS, from her second album, is making Pon De Replay look like a slow starter.
The Def Jam artist, who will headline the St Lucia Jazz Festival in May, is blazing a trail across the United States
by RICKY JORDAN
RIHANNA'S first single, SOS, from her second album, is making Pon De Replay look like a slow starter.
The Def Jam artist, who will headline the St Lucia Jazz Festival in May, is blazing a trail across the United States with SOS which, according to producer and writer Evan Rogers, was leaked on an MP3 to five radio station two weeks ago.
"The impact date for SOS was really to be February 20, Rihanna's 18th birthday, but it was leaked off an MP3 copy and has spread like wildfire to be the most requested song across the United States within a week," said Rogers.
He also said it had become "the most added" record (new songs added to radio playlists) on Top 40 radio, and was already in heavy rotation from Los Angeles to New York.
Rogers' Syndicated Rhythm Productions (SRP) and Def Jam Records are therefore looking at making a new video of the song, which is already on a Nike video as part of the sportswear conglomerate's US$20 million campaign featuring the Barbadian star.
But along with SOS, plans are in place to release one of the album's ballads via video and radio.
"I was just on the phone with Jay-Z (chief executive officer of Def Jam) and we discussed shooting a video for a ballad to launch the second album (due for release in the spring)," said Rogers.
The ballad is called Unfaithful, with its haunting melody featuring Rihanna's sultry vocals on a bed of stringed instruments, and according to Rogers, Jay-Z believes it will be a perfect reintroduction for Rihanna to show her depth as an artist.
"The fun songs (like Pon De Replay and If It's Loving That You Want) have done well, and now SOS, but she herself has suggested how important
it is for fans to not only see her as a fun artist," was how Rogers put it.
In his view, Unfaithful, penned by young Def Jam writer Ne-yo who has written for Mary J Blige, Mario and Beyoncé, will take Rihanna to another level.
And, after the spring launch, she will be one of the headliners of the annual St Lucia Jazz Festival, arguably the biggest music festival in the Caribbean.
It will climax on the weekend of May 12 to 14, featuring another young artist Ciara of LaFace Records May 12; Rihanna alongside R &B giant Babyface on May 13, and alternative act Seal alongside the legendary Al Green on May 14.
Rihanna's next move will be the summer release of the single, Kisses Don't Lie, which was penned in Barbados by Rogers, Carl Sturken and Rihanna around Christmas.
The album is A Girl Like Me, whose title track was written in Barbados and recorded at the local Blue Wave Studios. Its tracks include a Rihanna-Dwane Husbands duet.
Go rihanna! I can't wait to hear the new ballad.
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