Raining Men (Rihanna song)

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"Raining Men"
Single by Rihanna featuring Nicki Minaj
from the album Loud
ReleasedDecember 7, 2010 (2010-12-07)
Recorded2010
StudioPlatinum Sound Recording Studios, Electric Lady Studios (New York City); Glenwood Recording Studios, (Burbank, California)
Genre
Length3:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Rihanna singles chronology
"Who's That Chick?"
(2010) 		"Raining Men"
(2010) 		"All of the Lights"
(2011)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"I Ain't Thru"
(2010) 		"Raining Men"
(2010) 		"Moment 4 Life"
(2010)

"Raining Men" is a song by Barbadian singer

bass, and hip hop drums. The song's lyrics revolve around how there is an endless supply of men available in the world. The song garnered a mixed response from music critics; some praised the chemistry between Rihanna and Minaj, while others commented that it bore strong resemblances to Beyoncé's song "Diva
" with regard to its composition, and were critical of the notion.

Upon the release of Loud, "Raining Men" charted on the singles charts in South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States on the strength of download sales. In South Korea, the song peaked at number 41, while in the United Kingdom it peaked at number 142 on the

UK R&B Chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 11 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, making this Rihanna's third single that failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart ("We Ride", "Wait Your Turn"). Following the song's release to US urban radio, "Raining Men" peaked at number 48 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. No music video was shot for the song, and it received no televised performances as part of promotion. The song was included on the set list of the Loud Tour (2011). The performance featured Rihanna in a camouflage
inspired outfit, accompanied by dancers in the same attire who held pink rifles.

Recording and production

"Raining Men" received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the chemistry between Rihanna and Nicki Minaj (pictured), but criticized the song for failing to create anything new or original.

"Raining Men" was written by Melvin Hough II, Rivelino Wouter, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas and Nicki Minaj (credited as Onika Maraj), with instrumental production of the song done by Mel & Mus.[1] It features rap vocals by Minaj; Rihanna's and Minaj's vocals were recorded by Kuk Harrell, Josh Gudwin, Marcos Tovar and Aerial Chobaz at Platinum Sound Recording Studios; Manhattan, New York City; Electric Lady Studios, Greenwich Village, New York City and Glenwood Recording Studios, Burbank, California.[1] Koby Hass served as the assistant vocal recorder.[1] The song's music was recorded by Dana Nielsen, and was mixed by Jaycen Joshua.[1] Jesus Garnica served as the mixing assistant.[1]

Conception and development

"Raining Men" marked the second collaboration between Rihanna's and Minaj, the first being Minaj's song "Fly", from her album Pink Friday (2010), on which Rihanna appeared as a guest vocalist.[2] During an interview with Capital FM radio station in London, England, Rihanna revealed that herself and Minaj had written songs together, specifically ballads, for possible inclusion on the formers fourth studio album, Rated R (2009), however none of the songs made the final track listing.[3] Rihanna concluded her statement by saying that she could not wait to collaborate with the rapper again for her fifth studio album, the at the time unreleased and unnamed Loud.[3] When questioned about what "Raining Men" was like, the singer stated that it is "a really fun song. Nothing like the original. It's quite uptempo but kind of quirky and funny."[3]

In the same interview, Rihanna explained why she liked to collaborate with Minaj, saying "She has a great buzz and she has a 'thing' to her. She is a star and that's why people love her. She's also really entertaining with her visual as well as her lyrics, and she has a great melody."

urban radio adds as the third single from Loud on December 7, 2010.[6] On January 25, 2011, the song was re-released for urban radio adds.[7]

Composition

"Raining Men" is a

M.I.A. by Emily McKay for NME.[14] Stacey Anderson for Spin commented on Minaj's vocal stylization of the word "really," writing that she projects the word as a "breathless contortion into its own fully demented sideshow," with regard to the fast speed in which Minaj raps.[12] James Reed for The Boston Globe described Minaj's verse as a "manic guest rhyme".[15] Rihanna's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of G3 to the high note of B♭4.[13] According to Jon Pareles for The New York Times, the song's lyrics revolve around Rihanna and Minaj "singing and rapping about an endless supply of available men."[16] Lyrically, Kevin O'Donnell of Spin described the song as Rihanna and Minaj's own "female empowerment anthem.[17]

Critical reception

The song was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Jon Pareles and Jon Caramanica of The New York Times commented that "Rihanna shares the mechanized, chattering beat of 'Raining Men' with Nicki Minaj, singing and rapping about an endless supply of available men".

New York Daily News said that "Rihanna pairs just as well with Nicki Minaj, on a complete tear-down on the old Weather Girls disco standard 'It's Raining Men.' Here it's not a gay song of lust but a statement of assurance that no man should incite too much worry, considering their sheer numbers".[11] Chris Richards of The Washington Post said that "Nicki Minaj, a quick-witted rapper able to assume the voices of a dozen characters in a single song, fails to impart any wisdom on her colleague with "Raining Men".[19] Emily Mackay of NME said that "Raining Men" is a bold collaboration between Rihanna and Minaj, which plays to both of their strengths in the "hip-pop" collaboration.[14]

August Brown for the

Idolator reviewer Becky Bain praised Minaj's "infectious and energetic verse" and felt the song's rhythm "fits Nicki's quirkiness perfectly".[22]

Chart performance

Rihanna performing "Raining Men" on the Loud Tour in Oakland, California.

Upon the release of Loud, "Raining Men" charted in South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States on the strength of

UK R&B Chart, where it peaked at number 30 in the same chart issue.[26] "Raining Men" peaked at number 11 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100, a component chart which represents the 25 songs which failed to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[27] The song debuted at number 69 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the week of December 25, 2010.[28] It peaked at number 48 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[29]

Live performances

"Raining Men" was included on the

Hard" and "Breakin' Dishes", and featured the singer wearing the same outfit and set design.[30] Minaj has also performed her verse on her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour
.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Loud, Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records.[31]

Recording

  • Vocal recording – Platinum Sound Recording Studios (New York City, NY); Electric Lady Recording Studios (New York City, NY); Glenwood Studios (Burbank, CA)
  • Music recording – Cahuenga Pass Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Mixing – Larrabee Sound Studios (Los Angeles, CA)

Personnel

  • Songwriting – Melvin Hough II, Rivelino Wouter, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas, Onika Maraj
  • Production – Mel & Mus
  • Vocal production and recording – Kuk Harrell, Josh Gudwin, Marcos Tovar, Aerial Chobaz
  • Assistant vocal production and recording – Koby Hass
  • Music recording – Dana Neilsen
  • Mixing – Jaycen Joshua
  • Assistant mixing – Jesus Garnica
  • Featured vocals – Nicki Minaj
  • Bathroom vocals – Theron Thomas

Charts

Chart (2010–11) Peak
position
South Korea (
Gaon)[23]
 41
UK Singles (OCC)[25]
 142
UK R&B (OCC)[26]
 30
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[27] 11
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] 48

Radio history

Country Date Format Label
United States December 7, 2010[6]
Urban
radio 		Def Jam Recordings
January 25, 2011[7] Urban radio (re-release)

See also

  • Golconda (painting)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Loud (liner notes). Rihanna. Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records. 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Universal Motown. 2010. B0052WKZYC.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link
    )
  3. ^ a b c d e Vena, Jocelyn (October 12, 2010). "Rihanna Sings Praises Of Loud Collaborator Nicki Minaj". MTV News. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  4. ^ Copsey, Robert (October 11, 2010). "Rihanna: 'Nicki Minaj collab was fun'". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Crosley, Hilary (October 21, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Says 'Raining Men' Duet With Rihanna Was Written 'In Bed'". MTV. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "R&R Going For Adds: Urban". Radio & Records. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "January 23, 2011". Allaccess.com. January 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 25, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  8. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (November 11, 2010). "Rihanna Dishes On Nicki Minaj Collabos". MTV. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  9. Complex
    . Rich Antoniello. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "iTunes - Music - Loud". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. August 18, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  11. ^
    Daily News
    . New York. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c Anderson, Stacey (November 16, 2010). "Rihanna, 'Loud' (Def Jam)". Spin. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Digital Sheet Music, Rihanna 'Raining Men'". Musicnotes.com. 2010. MN0096703 (Product Number). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. ^
    IPC Media (Time Inc.
    ). Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  15. ^
    Boston Globe
    . Christopher M. Mayer. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  16. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (2010-11-15). "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
  17. ^ O'Donnell, Kevin (November 8, 2010). "Hear it: Rihanna and Nicki Minaj's Hot Duet". Spin. SpinMedia.
  18. ^ Skinner, James (November 15, 2010). "Music – Review of Rihanna – Loud". BBC Music. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  19. ^ Richards, Chris (November 16, 2010). "Rihanna's new albums: 'Loud,' yes, but what's clear?". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  20. ^ Brown, August (November 16, 2010). "Album review: Rihanna's 'Loud'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  21. Pitchfork Media
    . Ryan Schreiber. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  22. Idolator
    . SpinMedia. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  23. ^ a b "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: November 14, 2010 to November 20, 2010)". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  24. ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: November 21, 2010 to November 28, 2010)". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  25. ^ a b "Chart Log UK: Chart entries update". Official Charts Company. November 27, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  26. ^ a b "2010 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive - 27th November 2010". Official Charts Company. November 27, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  27. ^ a b "Rihanna Chart History - Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  28. ^ "Top Hip-Hop/R&B Songs - Week of December 25, 2010". Billboard. December 25, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  29. ^ a b "Rihanna Chart History - R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  30. ^ a b c d e Stevenson, Jane (June 7, 2011). "Rihanna is loud, sexy and larger than life". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  31. ^ Loud. Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records (Inlay cover). Rihanna. November 12, 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

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