Unapologetic

In November 2011, Rihanna released her sixth studio album, Talk That Talk. The album was rooted in pop, dance and R&B, but also incorporated a variety of other musical genres such as hip hop, electro house, dancehall, and dubstep, a genre which was prominent on her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009). Talk That Talk received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics upon its release. It was a commercial success and reached the top ten in over twenty national charts, including number one on the UK Albums Chart and number three on the US Billboard 200. The album produced six singles including the worldwide hits "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been". "We Found Love" topped the charts in over 25 countries and sold over 9 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. In March 2012, Rihanna revealed that although she had not yet begun recording, she started "working on the new sound" for her seventh studio album. ==Recording and production==

On 20 June 2012, Rihanna began recording her seventh studio album, working with Nicky Romero and Burns. Rihanna and Burns booked three days in a studio in London while Rihanna was performing at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend. It was also confirmed that Rihanna worked with Eric Bellinger, Sean Garrett, and Swedish House Mafia for her seventh album. On 6 July, Def Jam executive No I.D. revealed that he had begun working with Rihanna on the album saying "I'm going in next week for about a week". On 10 July, British singer and producer Labrinth revealed to Capital FM that he had been working with Rihanna on the album. On 17 July, it was reported that Rihanna would be working with R&B singer Ne-Yo and N-Dubz member Fazer. In an interview with Capital FM Ne-Yo spoke on working with Rihanna on the album saying: "I just recently went in to do some stuff for Rihanna, you know. She's the hardest working woman in showbiz right now. She's in the process of putting together a new album as we speak, I got in with Stargate and David Guetta and a few other people for that project. In July 2012, Sean Garrett confirmed that he had been in the studio with French DJ David Guetta working on Rihanna's album saying: "I was in the studio with David doing some stuff for Rihanna recently. He finds inspiration in the things I don't like, and I get excited by the things he doesn't like. He wants to be more urban and I want to be more international, so we push each other, I try to help Rihanna. She works hard and it's cool to write for someone who is so open-minded." On 21 August, American songwriter Claude Kelly said that he had been writing songs for Rihanna while she was performing in London. Kelly spoke on the songs that he had written for Rihanna saying: "Rihanna's a worldwide superstar at this point and she's performing in stadiums and arenas now, so I wanted songs that reflected her audience, when I was in London she was performing at a festival in front of like 30,000 to 40,000 people. So I didn't want small songs that only worked on radio, so I tried to do anthemic big stadium-themed songs." On 16 August, British R&B singer-songwriter Angel stated that he had been writing for Rihanna's album. He said: "I love writing songs and it's good to pitch tracks to other artists. A couple of weeks ago I was doing some writing for Rihanna". In September 2012, Ne-Yo confirmed his involvement the album saying "I did go in the studio with her, I know I got one or two on the album that she's definitely keeping." ==Composition==

Music and lyrics is featured on the track "Numb", marking the pair's third collaboration following the worldwide hit, "Love the Way You Lie" and its sequel (2010). Rihanna explained her interest in developing new soundscapes, "I love experimenting and I love working with different sounds and putting them together so they're not one-dimensional." songs, which feature abrasive sound effects and eccentric beats. while Time magazine's Melissa Locker said that it has an "urban R&B sound". According to Alexis Petridis, the different producers who worked on Unapologetic appeared to make an effort away from Rihanna's previous "pop-dance template ... or at least to rearrange voguish sounds into less familiar shapes". "Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary" represent two electronica and new wave integrated songs, which last for a duration of with lyrics that are deeply personal, two-part song that opens with a somber mood and shifts to confessional subject matter and Rihanna's uplifting vocals. "Get It Over With" is a down-tempo, "chilled-out" song. "No Love Allowed" is a reggae song with a "bubbly, dubbed-out groove". The final track "Lost in Paradise" is a "somber-but-hopeful" mid-tempo ballad with frequent tempo drops. Lyrically, it speaks about a love stronger than a gun shot, "Half of Me" is a chamber pop song which lasts for a duration of three minutes and twelve seconds. ==Singles==

"Diamonds" premiered on 26 September 2012, and was released the following day as the lead single from Unapologetic. Dan Martin for NME thought that the lyrical content of "Stay" puts a "vulnerable spin" on her relationship with Chris Brown. The song's accompanying music video was released on 11 February 2013, via E! and then to Vevo the following day. The song reached the top five of twenty-four countries worldwide including number four in the UK and number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, ==Release and promotion==

On 12 September 2012, Def Jam France announced via Twitter that Rihanna would release a new single the upcoming week while her seventh studio album was scheduled to be released in November 2012. However, the tweet was shortly deleted and replaced with another clarifying that "more information will be made available tomorrow, Thursday, September 13". During the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on 10 February 2013, Rihanna performed "Could You Be Loved" alongside Bruno Mars, Sting, Damian Marley and Ziggy Marley as a tribute to Bob Marley. Rihanna performed for a second time at the award ceremony, where she performed her album's second single "Stay" along with Mikky Ekko. To further promote the album, Rihanna embarked on her fifth concert tour, the Diamonds World Tour in March 2013. North American, African and European dates were announced with ASAP Rocky serving as the support act for North America, while David Guetta performed for the Moroccan date of the tour as well as some selected European dates including London and Paris. In September 2013, she also performed on Channel 4's Alan Carr: Chatty Man to promote "What Now". ==Critical reception==

Unapologetic received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Following the performance, the album rose from No. 197 on the Billboard 200 to No. 18. ==Commercial performance==

In the United States, Unapologetic debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 238,000 copies in its first week. It was Rihanna's first number-one album in the US and the best-selling debut week of her career. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, with sales of more than 99,000 copies in its first week. With the debut, it became Rihanna's fourth album to reach the top spot in the UK and also her third consecutive chart topper, tying Madonna, Eva Cassidy and Norah Jones for the female artists with most consecutive UK number one albums. Unapologetic was ranked as the tenth most popular album of 2013 on the Billboard 200. ==Track listing==

• Sia Furler • Benjamin Levin • Mikkel S. Eriksen • Tor Erik Hermansen}} • Stargate • Benny Blanco}} • Sam Dew • Warren "Oak" Felder • Andrew "Pop" Wansel • Ronald "Flip" Colson • • Marshall Mathers • Connie Mitchell • Kanye West • Aldrin Davis • Fenty}} • @Oakwud • @Flippa123 • @PopWansel}} • • Michael Williams • Theron Thomas • Timothy Thomas • Fenty }} • Mike Will Made It • J-Bo }} • Nayvadius Wilburn • Denisea "Blu June" Andrews • Fenty }} • Luney Tunez • Mex Manny • Future}} • Kevin Cossom • M. B. Williams • Eriksen • Hermansen • Saul Milton • Will Kennard • Elgin "Ginuwine" Lumpkin • Stephen Garrett • Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley}} • Stargate • Chase & Status}} • Nash • • Guetta • Eriksen • Hermansen • Shaffer Chimere Smith • Tuinfort • Nick Rotteveel • Ester Dean • Fenty}} • Guetta • Stargate • Nicky Romero • Tuinfort}} • Olivia Waithe • • Parker Ighile • Nathan Cassells • Fenty }} • Ighile • Cassells }} • Mikky Ekko • Justin Parker • Elof Loel}} • Ekko • Loelv • Parker}} • Nash • • Carlos "Los" McKinney • Michael Jackson • Fenty}} • Nash • Carlos "Los" McKinney}} • Nash • McKinney • Fenty}} • Nash • McKinney}} • James Fauntleroy • Brian Seals • Fenty}} • Sean "Elijah Blake" Fenton • Alexander Izquierdo • Ernest Wilson • Steve Wyreman • Fenty}} • Dean • Timothy McKenzie • Eriksen • Hermansen • Fenty}} • Stargate • Labrinth}} }} • Stargate • Naughty Boy}} • Furler • Levin • Eriksen • Hermansen}} • Stargate • Benny Blanco • Audé • Kemal Golden }} • Furler • Levin • Eriksen • Hermansen}} • Stargate • Benny Blanco • Salto • Tzvetin Todorov }} }} Notes • Credits adapted from Apple Music and Tidal. • The River Island exclusive edition features the bonus track "Diamonds" (Congorock Remix) • The Diamonds executive platinum box includes five "Diamonds" remix tracks: Gregor Salto Downtempo Remix, The Bimbo Jones Downtempo, Dave Audé 100 Extended Mix, Steven Redant Festival Mix, and The Bimbo Jones Vocal Remix • The Deluxe edition includes the bonus DVD First Look: 2012 Loud Tour Live at the O2. Sample credits • "Numb" incorporates lyrics from "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (2007) performed by Kanye West, written by Kanye West and Aldrin Davis. • "Jump" samples elements of "Pony" (1996) performed by Ginuwine, written by Elgin "Ginuwine" Lumpkin, Stephen Garrett and Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley. • "Nobody's Business" incorporates lyrics from "The Way You Make Me Feel" (1987) written and performed by Michael Jackson. ==Release formats==

Standard version • Jewel case packaging • Standard 14 tracks Deluxe version • Jewel case packaging • Standard 14 tracks, 3 bonus tracks • Bonus DVD, including never-before-released footage, and First Look of Rihanna's Loud Tour recorded live at London's O2 Arena • 28-page photo and art booklet Diamonds deluxe edition box • 17 deluxe version tracks • Bonus DVD • T-shirt featuring a photo from the album's photoshoot • Diamonds-inspired bracelet • 7 laptop stickers • 28-page photo and art booklet • Fan mosaic poster Diamonds executive platinum box • 17 deluxe version tracks • Bonus DVD • 28-page photo and art booklet • Unapologetic USB Flash Memory Drive • T-shirt featuring a photo from the album's photoshoot • 7 art print 12 x 15 lithographs, bound together with a handwritten R logo band • 3 device adhesives • 7 laptop stickers • 11 x 17 a personal note to the fans, handwritten by Rihanna • Diamonds – Remixes on vinyl • View-Master including a reel of 3D images • 40-page notebook with handwritten notes and lyrics • Fan mosaic poster ==Personnel==

Credits are adapted from AllMusic and album's liner notes. • Rihanna – lead vocals, creative director, executive producer • Dave Audé – remix, additional production, and mixdown (track 16) • Alejandro Barajas – music engineer (track 4) • Benny Blanco – producer (tracks 2, 16, 17), instrumentation and programming (tracks 2, 7) • Tanisha Broadwater – production coordination (track 3) • Chris Brown – vocals (track 10) • Josh Campbell – engineer (track 1) • Nathan Cassells – co-producer, engineer, instrumentation, and programming (track 8) • Chase – producer, instrumentation, and programming (track 6) • Robert Cohen – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 3, 5, 8–12, 14) • Ronald "Flip" Colson – producer (track 3) • Sam Dew – background vocals (track 3) • Christian Dwiggins – mixdown (track 16) • Mikky Ekko – vocals, producer, arrangements, and additional production/landscape (track 9) • Eminem – rap (track 3) • Mikkel S. Eriksen – producer (tracks 2, 6, 7, 14–17), instrumentation and programming (tracks 2, 6, 7), engineer (tracks 2, 6, 16, 17) • Warren "Oak" Felder – producer (track 3) • Seth Firkins – music engineer and vocal engineer for Future (track 5) • Melissa T. Forde – photography • Future – vocals, producer, instrumentation, and programming (track 5) • Mike Gaydusek – vocal engineer (track 9) • Kevin Cossom;– additional vocals, writer (track 6) • Chris Gehringer – mastering • Kemal Golden – remix and additional production (track 16) • David Guetta – producer, instrumentation, and programming (tracks 1, 7) • Kuk Harrell – vocal engineer (tracks 1–9, 11–17), vocal producer (tracks 1–3, 5–17) • Tor Erik Hermansen – producer (tracks 2, 6, 7, 14–17), instrumentation and programming (tracks 2, 6, 7) • Tom Hough – assistant engineer (track 1) • Mario Hugo – illustrations • Parker Ighile – producer, music engineer, instrumentation, and programming (track 8) • J-Bo – co-producer, instrumentation, and programming (track 4) • Jayson Joshua – mixing (track 11) • Brian Kennedy – producer, instrumentation, and programming (track 12) • Kimmie Keyes – make-up • Rob Kinelski – additional engineering (track 13) • Labrinth – producer (track 14) • Elof Loelv – producer and additional production/landscape (track 9) • Andrew "Muffman" Luftman – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 16, 17) • Deborah Mannis-Gardner – sample clearance • Blake Mares – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 3, 8–14) • Manny Marroquin – mixing (tracks 3–5, 10, 13) • Carlos "Los" McKinney – producer (tracks 10, 11) • Donnie Meadows – production coordination (track 3) • MJ – additional drum programming (track 1) • Mylah Morales – make-up • Michael Muller – photography • Terius "The-Dream" Nash – producer (tracks 1, 10, 11), instrumentation & programming (track 1) • No I.D. – producer (track 13) • Liam Nolan – assistant engineer (tracks 3, 13) • Paul Norris – engineer (track 7), assistant engineer (tracks 8, 12, 13) • Mel Ottenberg – stylist • Ciarra Pardo – art direction, creative director • Justin Parker – producer, arrangements, and piano (track 9) • Joel Peters – assistant engineer (track 1) • James Poyser – keyboards (track 13) • Will Quinnell – mastering assistant • Ben Rhodes – assistant engineer (track 1) • Daniela Rivera – additional assistant engineer (tracks 2, 6–8, 16, 17) • Evan Rogers – executive producer • Nicky Romero – producer, mixing, instrumentation, and programming (track 7) • Gregor Salto – remix and additional production (track 17) • Donnie Scantz – music engineer (track 13) • Bart Schoudel – music engineer (tracks 10, 11), additional engineering (track 1) • Status – producer, instrumentation, and programming (track 6) • Ursula Stephens – hairstylist • Xavier Stephenson – additional engineering (track 3), assistant engineer (track 7) • Carl Sturken – executive producer • Phil Tan – mixing (tracks 2, 6, 8, 9, 14–17), vocal mixing (track 7) • Tzvestin Todorov – remix and additional production (track 17) • Marcos Tovar – vocal engineer (tracks 1–9, 11–17), additional engineering (tracks 8, 13), music engineer (track 12) • Giorgio Tuinfort – producer, instrumentation, and programming (tracks 1, 7) • Anna Ugarte – assistant engineer (track 13) • Miles Walker – engineer (tracks 2, 6, 16, 17) • Andrew "Pop" Wansel – producer (track 3) • Mike Will – producer, instrumentation, programming, and additional vocals (track 4) • Steve Wyreman – guitar and bass (track 13) • Aamir Yaqub – assistant engineer (tracks 3, 6), engineer (track 7) ==Charts==

Weekly charts Year-end charts Decade-end charts ==Certifications and sales==