Rap-Up.com || New Music: Rihanna – ‘Russian Roulette’

The wait is officially ova. Rihanna plays a dangerous game of “Russian Roulette” on the eagerly-anticipated first single from her fourth album Rated R, due November 23. The dark and haunting song was written and produced by Ne-Yo (“Unfaithful,” “Hate That I Love You,” “Take a Bow”). The follow-up to 2007′s Good Girl Gone Bad also features contributions from Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Chase & Status, Stargate, and Justin Timberlake. A video for the single, directed by Anthony Mandler, will premiere in primetime on ABC.

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77 Comments

emil
October 20th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Kinda alright. Too much like Unfaithful.

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xdrien Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
@emil, This song does not sound like unfaithful at all, just listen to it again and the lyrics are completely different as well.

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xdrien Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
@emil, but I agree its just alright. I assume there is better and more to come

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Giselle
October 20th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Go Rihanna! Her voice matured a little bit over a year. It’s a smash.

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Just--heartless
October 20th, 2009 at 8:41 am
I love This song !! Is so Biauthiful !! MA MA MIa elle est Trés Belle CEtte Musique !!

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816_KC_Killa
October 20th, 2009 at 8:41 am
OMG OMG OMG!!!!…..im in love…rihanna is back!

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Lioness
October 20th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Voice sounds good. song imo, not that bad, not that great.

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Baron
October 20th, 2009 at 8:43 am
I love the arrangement of the song and her voice sounds really smooth and strong, but as far as the lyrics? I guess I don’t get it, maybe the video will help hit the point of the song home.

Is she talking about taking a leap of faith, or is she really playing a game of russian roulette? Not too sure what she’s talking about (and not too sure if I’m supposed to try to understand, either).

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tell'em
October 20th, 2009 at 8:46 am
This is deep and the more I hear it the more I like it.

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Concerned listener
October 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I really expected an uptempo song, Rihanna is playing Russian Roulette with her career!!!

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Carl
October 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Dissappointed.

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HMM
October 20th, 2009 at 8:49 am
they hyped all of this up for this? it’s a good song, but a worldwide smash hit? NO.

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bass_man
October 20th, 2009 at 8:49 am
She sounds good. It’s a bit anti-climatic, but I like it.

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DALE23
October 20th, 2009 at 8:50 am
its okay………

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jon2sICK
October 20th, 2009 at 8:50 am
FREAKING IN LUV WITH IT NE-YO AND HER GOT ANOTHER SMASH HIT ON THERE HANDS WITH THIS ONE AND THE COVER IS SIIICCKNESS!!!

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bajan
October 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
wow, i am so in love… yes riri only mature people can understand this song

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Unknown
October 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Et allez… toutes les groupies en premier. Viendront ensuite les commentaires plus intéressants je suppose.

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#
October 20th, 2009 at 8:53 am
rapper?

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iPHRESH
October 20th, 2009 at 8:55 am
U MUST PULL THE TRIGGER 2 LIVE AHHH HA! LUVZ IT HENNY LETTING U HAVE IT!!!

ITANIMULLI

;)

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Stephonne
October 20th, 2009 at 9:02 am
It will be a worldwide hit. You can tell by the way its written and performed. It appeals to a truly international and stateside taste. She is playing the game just right and giving us all something we didn’t expect: a song with edge, maturity, mystery and great vocals. I don’t know about that image though, lol. A tad bit too much. I love the Rated R title. Mr. Ried is doing some genius things with this girl. This is art and Rihanna is doing something I didn’t expect when she first came out on the scene, becoming legendary. Great work Def Jam, Roc Nation and Ms. RiRi. Nothing bad to say.

P.S. I sort of feel like this song is about the CB relationship/incident if you really listen to the lyrics.

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travis Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 9:43 am
@Stephonne, i agree with everything you said,people are hating already because its something they never saw coming.but that is what good artist do,the unexpected.Why would you want the same thing from that person,and when u want something new still be unsatisfied.

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CHRIS Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
@Stephonne, i agree as well. You should work in the business. If you dont already. Cause you know what your talking about.

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niah
October 20th, 2009 at 9:03 am
i luv it. i like the way the beat plays and how shes say trigger right before the second verse. hot!

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Chris
October 20th, 2009 at 9:06 am
This should be an album song not a lead single. I think they picked the wrong song. I like it but it won’t get to #1. Just my opinion.

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DeeDee
October 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am
It’s nice, I’ll like it more after a few listens though!

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wtf
October 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
i was over this song the minute i heard it..

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SwaggerAreUs
October 20th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Rihanna is back to kill…the charts of course. This girl’s album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ was on the charts for 40+ weeks…that’s amazing. Rihanna has a solid fanbase now and this track is a great re-appearance on the scene. I’m glad the wait is ova. Let’s get this video now Rih.

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CEO
October 20th, 2009 at 9:24 am
this is the worst song ever, im so disappointed, i kinda feel bad for her. oh well, we all know lady gaga will reign the charts that week enywho.
-natas

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ME
October 20th, 2009 at 9:28 am
HOT!!

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Lolita
October 20th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Rihanna is a smart ass girl! She doesn’t let the game play her. Everyone expected a huge dance record, and instead she chose a dark ballad. Something different that will have everybody talking. She’s on every blog and radio right now. Needless to say, this will be a hit definitely.

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Elijah
October 20th, 2009 at 9:40 am
This song is great. Listen, it’s time to grow with Rihanna. This song will leave her stamp on the music industry. Rihanna did something that everyone didn’t expect from her- a slow moving haunting ballad instead of a dance club song as her first single. Rihanna is growing as an artist, and it shows very well.

Can’t you feel the pain in the record? Can’t you see how Rihanna is hurting. Listen to the song a few times in a row. It touches your heart…..pull the trigger… I know how it feels to be in a relationship with hurt and pain…don’t you?

Rihanna hurts just like everyone else, and when you’re hurt, you dont want to dance- she’s just not in that state of mind. Her marketing team and label did an excellent job of helping Rihanna grow, not stifling her by putting out a dance reord as the first single….

Watch her perform this song live— and watch closely– some tears will form in her eyes— because they did in mine!!! All I could think about was the photos of beaten Rihanna when I heard this…..it really sad. I wonder what Chris Brown thinks of the song.

Musically it will be #1 hit…..

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test123
October 20th, 2009 at 9:41 am
produced by Chuck Harmony

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HAAAAA
October 20th, 2009 at 9:52 am
it sounds good but i thought it was gonna be an uptempo/dance track

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An0thrDream
October 20th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I love it, lyrically, musically, vocally. its awesome

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Stephonne
October 20th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Sorry to comment again but I tear up every time I play this which has been pretty much non stop… I don’t do that, lol. This song is special. This is her statement on that whole situation and I’m sure there is more to come. Incredible…

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Joey
October 20th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I Looooove it, and in fact it is edgy. It’s just not what we all expected from her. But that’s a smart move. Cause everyone is dissapointed at this point, but once they get used with it and it’s getting played on the radio people will fall in love with it. This is a grower and it’s beautiful for the weather that is coming. And all of her rivals (Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Britney) are comming with those clubheaters, so why follow their footsteps if you can make your own way.

Smart move, and I LOOOVE this song!

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Bryxxx
October 20th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I LooOoove it!

She’s showin that she’s more mature, and she improve her voice. I Love the song, It’s so dark so everything.

Usually i’m not a fan of Rihanna but now….

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100% Nikehead
October 20th, 2009 at 10:15 am
This is a hit but her second single will be much better. Dream and tricky stewart produced the second single with Drake which is gonna be an incredible record so this is just luke warm to the rest of her material thats gonna be on the album

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P
October 20th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I like it.

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frenchie
October 20th, 2009 at 10:32 am
i don’t love this song, i can listen it once, that’s all. sorry i think i’ll not buy the album if it’s include songs like that.

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Neuri
October 20th, 2009 at 10:36 am
first listen: wasnt that bad but wasnt great either.
the track is good but idk not feeling it yet…

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Jay
October 20th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Love Rihanna, but I expected something different. It’s a nice song and this is actually the best I’ve heard her sound. I really think the Tricky Stewart track is gonna be the one…I wanna hear that one so bad! This should do well though. Definitely not better than Umbrella.

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anonymous
October 20th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hmmm… I will say not what I expected at all. I think it will grow on me, BUT I do like it. I guess I like it bc it shows growth both vocally and lyrically. She has a song that has something to say and I think that’s what’s missing in a lot of today’s music. This is true art & her album (if its any sort of reflection of this song) will be a divine art in every way if she’s taken the same direction. Great choice!

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queen beyonce
October 20th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
its unfaithful part 2 its alright the song will probably grow on me

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Jogn
October 20th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
This sounds like something Satanic, to be honest.

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double c
October 20th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
no offense but how do you get up tempo from russian roulette i was kinda expecting a ballad from when i saw the title. good job rihanna

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TOKYO
October 20th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
5/5 STARS

THE SONG HAS SLAYED THE WORLD WIDE WEB
ITS SLAYING THE NATIONS RADIO AIRWAVES

NOW ALL THATS LEFT TO SLAY IS iTUNES

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Isis
October 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Okay don’t get it and don’t want to! She should have come out with a song of empowerment this ish is boring! Maybe the next single will be better…i hope so. It doesn’t matter because the women’s rights groups, etc will make sure it’s successful. The video is premiering prime time on ABC. All the “symphathizers” “Chris haters” will be sure to buy it, but they won’t listen to it again.

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justin
October 20th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
WOW AMAIZNG songc oming from a non rihanna fan ! I like a lot better than most ish on radio and for those who think Gaga’s single is better …i’ll pray

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Dillon_68
October 20th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I think its a grower, I don’t instantly love it.

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Dillon_68 Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
@Dillon_68, after 17 listens on my iPod and my favorite Urban Station adding it to their playlist, this has officially became my favorite song!

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mal
October 20th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
hhhmm ok, not shit lol, not amzing, but i think i like it. not what i expected. her voice sounds less whiney meaning her vocals are improving!

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michael
October 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
maybee after a few more listens it will grow on me, I would like to see the music video for this one, I kinda wanted a dance number, but at the same time this is the first time to hear her acknowledge what happened back in Feb.

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sosicc_witswagga
October 20th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
very very interesting cover i like it.. i like the guitar rifts i like the beat its cool i love it i wana c the video.. 2 the person that said it sound like unfaithful not at all.. her vocals have improved

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dr
October 20th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
WOOOOOOW I WAITED HOURS 4 THIS AMAZINGGG. THIS GIRL IS ON HER A GAME.

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smh
October 20th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
shes gonna do a interview with diane sawyer

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10 is ciaras
October 20th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
sry, 2 all yal dat lik da track
but REAL TALK in january wen people were expectin ciaras never ever to be uptempo and it wasn’t, it failed

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Joyams
October 20th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
So suprised of the choice of the first single. It’s good, but not at all what was expected from the pictures, title, and video… Hope the album will be good. They told us it will be completely different from what she did, she changed, and so on…but i didn’t heard the difference yet.

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hautmess
October 20th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
aw man…

*Price is right fail sound*

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shay babez
October 20th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
cant wait till ciara come & shut the games this is bullshit!
ciara im begging u please bring the heat

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kim
October 20th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
dont like it

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Catie
October 20th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Wow, i was not expecting this. I thought her new single would be this huge club banger but instead it was closer to a dark ballad. It’ll defintely have to grow on me, i’m not loving it right now.

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Jay2009
October 21st, 2009 at 5:06 am
After 50 listening sessions, I got through it and I kinda like it, it’s really mature, dark and deep, her universe is different and her voice has improved (not THAT much but in a good way) but I think that a sound as heavy as “RR” should be sang buy a powerfull voice, Leona or Beyonce would have killed it, but it fits Rihanna correctly, anyway I’m still waiting for a club banger, cause THAT ain’t gonna be a number one, sorry

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New York
October 21st, 2009 at 6:52 am
Rihanna i like it a lot all haters fall back

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q
October 21st, 2009 at 7:24 am
her best song ever

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Truth
October 21st, 2009 at 7:50 am
it’s produced by Chase & Cash not Ne-Yo

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baksoul
October 21st, 2009 at 8:44 am
uh uh i told ya everybody expected a uptempo song and this bitch who’s got no vocal talent come with a ballad .And i smell a flop in the air

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Me and Me
October 21st, 2009 at 10:13 am
The song is ok, but it’s not a contender against Umbrella. It’s good and I like the lyrics, but you can just literally find the bullet and lodge it into your brain rather than playing with faith because the song compared to Umbrella, is comparing Ciara & Rihanna to Beyonce, there’s no competition.

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Me and Me
October 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am
Utter failure, but she’ll sell still, people are still feeling sorry for her, getting beat up. That’s why I’ll be buying the album, I pity her, she needs the sales.

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Me and Me
October 21st, 2009 at 10:19 am
Oh and last comment, the cover art was totally jacked from Amerie. If you look at Ameries pics for her album, you notice that she was going for the painting, body look. Rihanna’s however isn’t as excessive with it though, as it’s only the barbwire but credit goes to Amerie, and it sucks because it doesn’t even match what the song is saying, that’s why people are disappointed. Rihanna’s all looks but NO show!!

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Taijmonae Parker
October 21st, 2009 at 11:12 am
this song is good have 2 hear the rest of the album but i hate the cover for the 1st single

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reggg
October 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
rihanna rihanna she is back i love this song not going lie i did want a club banga but this just shows tge wait not over she sounds amazing and i cant wait for the live and video version top 10!!!!

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Lalala
October 21st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
wtf??? Monster single my ass. This is bullshit I came into work late to here the premire n then this is wat I get. WTF?! I wanted a club banga not this slow shit. n the song dont make sence n its stupid. Use the single cover 4 a hotter song btw. stil buyin the album but this is so not singel material

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Mikey
October 21st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
TRUST ME THE SONG IS A GROWER!!!! I like whatever Rihanna does but for the first five listens I was pretty dissapointed but now I’m actually starting to like the song…I really want a club banger though and I know there’s sum crazy bangers on the album!!! I guess my “Wait ISN’T ova”

P.S. I’m really anticipating the second single (it could be the banger I’m looking for) produced by Tricky Stewart and there is a “new” rapper on the track. I’m thinking Drake but we never know and I learned from this single that we should expect the unexpected CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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alicias a homewrecker
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:02 am
Its ok.

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twitter.com/dayhaaler Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
@alicias a homewrecker,

lol at your nickname!!

RR is ok, nothing special

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michelle
November 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
this song is good

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