Rihanna's 'Work' song rhythm stems from Jamaican reggae

Just like the mixed linage of the artist Rihanna, the mixed linage of rhythm of her sound 'work' is at play

Published: Monday, Feb 22, 2016 - 02:20:28 PM
by Jeff
Rihanna Rihanna: controversy surrounds 'work' single on the album ANTI

Rihanna worked in collaboration with Matthew 'Boi-1da' Samuels, Jahron 'PartyNextDoor' Brathwaite and Sevn Thomas who are three Jamaican musicians based in Canada, to create the reggae flavoured song, 'Work'.

According to a Youtube post by Nerdwriter the new song has a somewhat similar rhythm to, and is very much in keeping with reggae tracks from the 1990's, moreso than the now popular Tropical House beat.

Tropical House has been accredited for the rhythmic beat of the song "Work" on Rihanna's ANTI album but Nerdwriter begs to differ. According to Wikipedia, Tropical house differentiates itself from deep house, which can often have a very dark sound, whereas tropical house can be described as having a more uplifting, and relaxing sound. It usually includes some tropical instruments such as steel drums from Trinidad and Tobago, marimba, or even the pan flute.

Work was conceptualised last summer when Thomas, Ritter and Boi-1da were staying at Drake's house in Los Angeles. Thomas described the time spent there as a "beat factory; everyone was sitting there working and collaborating with each other".

He created a beat which was dancehall-influenced and later played it for Boi-1da.

"We're both Jamaican-Canadian. It was just something in our DNA, so it woke him up and we started remembering all these old dancehall songs from the '90s," Thomas recalled. - - JamaicanObserver.

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