What's My Name?

A dancehall-infused electro-R&B hit that topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and gave Rihanna her third number-one single of 2010.

"What's My Name?" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, for her fifth studio album Loud (2010). Featuring guest vocals from Canadian rapper Drake, the song was released as the second single from Loud on October 25, 2010, through Def Jam Recordings. The dancehall-infused electro-R&B song was produced by the Norwegian production duo Stargate, and was written by the duo along with Ester Dean, Traci Hale, and Drake. Lyrically, it incorporates themes of romance and sex. The song was well received by music critics, who were complimentary towards its production, lyrical content and Rihanna's vocal performance. "What's My Name?" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, giving Rihanna her third number-one single in 2010, as well as her eighth overall on the chart. The song also topped the charts in Hungary and the United Kingdom. The song is certified six-times Platinum in the US. The song received a nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Quick Facts

Artist

Rihanna featuring Drake

Album

Loud

Released

25 October 2010

Recorded

2010

Studio

Roc the Mic Studios (New York City), Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles); The Hit Factory (Miami)

Genre

Electro-R&B

Label

Def Jam; SRP

Writer

Mikkel S. Eriksen
Tor Erik Hermansen
Esther Dean
Traci Hale
Aubrey Graham

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The collaboration with Drake came about after Rihanna met him backstage at an event and asked him to record a verse on her song. Tor Erik Hermansen of Stargate recalled, "She's calling me up saying, 'Where are the files?' That's one thing you don't hear often from artists on her level." The collaboration was originally intended to be a remix, while a solo version would have been on Loud, but it made the final cut. Rihanna told MTV News, "Drake is the hottest rapper out right now and we've always been trying to work together." According to her, when he heard the song he liked it and wrote his verse after three days. Rihanna described the song as "very youthful, playful and very melodic," and said that's why Drake was the perfect choice, "cause he's a young rapper who has incredible melodies." The song was recorded at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City and Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Drake's vocals were recorded by Noah "40" Shebib at The Hit Factory Studios in Miami.

Reader's Guide

To appreciate "What's My Name?", start with its production: it's a mid-tempo electro-R&B song produced by Stargate, returning Rihanna to the "Island-pop" of her early career with a backing track of "heavy reggae" and ska beats with synthesised organs. Bill Lamb from About.com noted an internal buildup of "dreamy drum machine rhythms" before Rihanna's vocals start, describing the backing track as "simple" and "atmospheric." Lyrically, it incorporates themes of "sex and romance," with Jocelyn Vena from MTV describing the vocal delivery and lyrics as "sassy." Critics noted specific moments: Stacy Anderson from Spin and Nick Levine from Digital Spy picked up on sexual innuendos, including Drake's line, "The square root of 69 is 8 something, right / 'Cuz I been trying to work it out." Megan Vick from Billboard noted that "Rihanna's lush vocal turn denotes a startling leap in maturity from previous singles." The accompanying music video, directed by Philip Andelman, plays a romantic encounter between Rihanna and Drake in a grocery store along with romantic scenes and Rihanna walking through Manhattan's Lower East Side. The song was promoted with live performances including Saturday Night Live in the US and the series 7 finale of The X Factor in the UK in December 2010.