Talk That Talk

Last week Rihanna released her SIXTH album, "Talk That Talk" I know that she is still getting radio spins off last year's "Loud" but that wasn't enough for our girl. In true Rihanna fashion, she rushed back to the lab and put out another album. Initially she made it seem like this was going to be a re-release of "Loud" just in time to milk some extra sales out before holiday. Thankfully she just went ahead and did a full album. I freaking hate re-releases and think they punish true fans and are lazy as hell.I don't think she was taking my emotions into account when she and her people made the decision, but I sure as hell would like to think so.



TTT is lead off by the amazingly infectious single "We Found Love" I freaking love the song and apparently I'm not alone as I'm hearing it played everywhere. I think this single is kind of what I was wanting when Rihanna talked about wanting to get loud and dance on the album "Loud" which was good in my opinion, but not as dance-y as she hinted. I hated it with people from Barbados play with my emotions like that. The follow up single "You Da One" was penned by one of my fave writes, Ester Dean and has promise to be pretty big as well.


Ok, so Rihanna has a new album with a bunch of successful singles, what else is new? WELL, my whole point to this is I am kind of surprised to see that Rihanna has never had a number one debut. According to recent numbers TTT won't help her break that slump. She is poised to sell 197K in her opening week, putting her at a solid #3 behind NICKELBACK (I know, I thought they were dead too) and Michael Buble's Christmas offering. Looks like baby Jesus is having a stellar week on Billboard. I must say that 200k isn't a bad showing, but Rihanna is supposed to be the IT girl right now. She has a legion of fans (dubbed the navy) who are hardcore and quick to come to her defense. Where was the Navy when it came time to shell out 9.99 (or 13.99 for that good-good deluxe)?


Most will look to the fact that the album leaked two weeks before the release date. Everyone's album now leaks beforehand. Look at Drake: his album leaked hardcore yet he was still able to pull out a respectable debut of 631k. I know people who actually got Drake on bootleg and STILL bought the album when it came out. That is what I call a true fan. Well kind of. I guess a true fan would buy it regardless, but we are in the age or "try it before you buy it" so I guess music is no different. Now artists have to prove why you should actually go out and buy a CD instead of streaming it on Spotify or downloading illegally. I actually resisted the advance copy I had sitting in my Dropbox for a week (thanks Max!) because I wanted to do this CD right. I wanted to buy it, look at the album art, read the liner notes and hear it from start to finish the way it was intended to be heard. I usually reserve this treatment for people I respect and like (sorry Kesha)and I'm glad I did. I thought this was a pretty solid effort. My main complaint is that "Birthday Cake" is only 1:18. Girl, why you toying with me?! "Cockiness" also stands out as pretty huge track.


So what's my advice? WELL, I think Rihanna could do well with a healthy does of girlsitthehelldownforaminute. I get that she is striking while the iron is hot and while Beyonce is pregnant, but I think some time off would be a good idea. Give people a little time to miss her. I know even I had a moment of "I feel like I JUST bought a Rihanna CD" when I was in line at Target. She is lucky enough to not be Ciara and actually have label support, so she has to hustle a little less harder when she is ready to come back. Maybe she could write a sternly worded tweet to the army, shunning them for being such broke and raggedy bitches. OR, she could just continue doing what it is that she's been doing. Double digit #1's is nothing to scoff at. I'm pretty sure she's still getting paid (better than me) so I'm not about to go run to my prayer circle to lift her up just yet...

Basic Bitches PLEASE Sit Down

Ok, so above are two shoes: Shoe 1 comes to us from D Squared and is called the SKATE MOSS (haha, I love this name) boot. It was inspired by, skating. If you didn't know that you are dumb. SO dumb. Shoe 2: is from Alain Payson and was seen on Beyonce yesterday, which means that this might be a trend to look out for. Now I know Beyonce has a way of doing things that make people think "damn, why didn't I do that?!" but I don't think this shoe is for everyone. This shoe is for bad bitches only. Actually, I stand corrected: this is for bad bitches with GREAT balance. This is not, by any means appropriate footwear for expectant mothers or broads who just tend to trip a whole lot. You have all been warned. Feel free to do Beyonce things when you are umm, Beyonce.