Released on May 24, 2005, Pon de Replay marked the beginning of Robyn Rihanna Fenty’s career as a commercial music artist. Written by Vada Nobles, Alisha "M'Jestie" Brooks, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, it was one of three songs recorded for Rihanna’s initial demo tape. After signing with Def Jam, it was decided that the infectious island dance song would be released as her first single. Pon de Replay was initially released as a physical single and became available for digital download in August of 2005.
Music Video:
Cameos: Kardinal Offishall, DJ Cipha Sounds
Fun fact: Drake was actually at the nightclub, located in Toronto, the night this video was filmed. Rihanna and her team utilized the upper half of the club while partygoers remained downstairs. Years later Rihanna and Drake would become frequent collaborators and on-and-off significant others.
#JusticeForAubrih
Chart Performance:
Pon de Replay spent a total of 12 weeks inside the top ten of the Hot 100 and 23 weeks on the chart in total.
International Chart Peaks
Quote:
Australia 6
Austria 5
Denmark 5
Finland 8
France 18
Germany 6
Hungary 7
Hungary 5
Ireland 2
Italy 6
Netherlands 15
New Zealand 1
Norway 3
Spain 18
Sweden 5
Switzerland 3
UK 2
US Billboard Hot 100 2
US Hot Dance Club Songs 1
US Rap Songs 7
Performances:
Pon de Replay Live From Miami
AOL Sessions
Live From Barbados/MSN Version
Serving choreo, mid-00's fashion, and youthful energy
Nostalgia:
Personally, I remember hearing this song all of the time on Radio Disney. A few months later I remember watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with my Grandma and seeing Rihanna perform it on one of the parade floats. I remember thinking “Oh, so that’s what she looks like!” I thought she was pretty and liked her brown hair lol.
Who would have ever guessed that the cute, teenaged girl on the parade float would end up becoming one of the world’s biggest superstars? Who would have thought that she’d be relevant nine years later? I think most people, including myself, assumed that she’d simply be a one-hit wonder. But of course she proved us wrong.
A few months ago Rihanna posted this sweet and humble message on her (now defunct) Instagram account:
Quote:
#tbt Cipha Sounds... this is the guy responsible for putting y'all on! He is the first DJ in hi$toRIH to EVER play one of my songs! My very first spin, this man right here! I remember it like it was yesterday, I was in the middle of Sears in Brooklyn with my gran gran Dolly, she was dancing all through the floor telling every sales clerk that it was my song! It was so funny, yet embarrassing at the time. Luckily nobody believed her. Lol!...Cipha I THANK YOU! You broke my very first song, it kicked down the door for me! You came to the studio, heard "Pon de Replay", and believed it would do something on the radio! It takes people believing in it before it comes to pass, enough to give us a chance to be heard! I would never forget you for that for as long as I live.
DJ Cipha Sounds’s response:
On behalf of the entire Navy, thank you DJ Cipha Sounds for giving ICON a chance
Do you have any fond memories of Pon de Replay’s slayage? Post them below. If not, celebrate the fact that Rihanna has officially lasted nine years in one of the most competitive and quick-changing industries in the world! Here’s to nine more years and many more
And she's still only 26 years old with 7 albums, 13 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles, is the most liked person on Facebook, most streamed on Spotify and most viewed on VEVO.
When will your fave? Probably never, because most of them are already older than 26
And she's still only 26 years old with 7 albums, 13 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles, is the most liked person on Facebook, most streamed on Spotify and most viewed on VEVO.
When will your fave? Probably never, because most of them are already older than 26