Rap-Up.com || Exclusive: Rihanna Enlists Sean Garrett for Feel-Good Album

Little Miss Sunshine is coming back. After a brief trip to the dark side, Rihanna is about to brighten up the airwaves once again with a new album. Sean “The Pen” Garrett spills the details exclusively to Rap-Up.com.

With her current single “Rude Boy” climbing the charts, the Rihanna reign shows no sign of letting up. The pop princess is capitalizing off the momentum with the feel-good follow-up to November’s Rated R.

According to Garrett, the project is already underway. “I got a record on Rihanna’s new album,” reveals the hitmaker. “She’s got some surprises.”

After a tumultuous 2009, the singer is back in a good place with her fifth studio album. “The record I gave her was very, very positive, very big. It’s a fucking smash,” adds Garrett. “I gave her a humongous radio record. It’s just so infectious. It’s about getting past any drama and just being happy to be alive. It’s an encouraging record. It feels great and it’s got great tempo.”

Like some fans, he was surprised to hear the dark theme surrounding RiRi’s latest effort. “Whenever I think of Rihanna, it makes me happy. To be honest, I wasn’t really that excited about hearing her in a dark zone. I love Rihanna for being that girl… She’s like the lil’ fantasy chick—nice brown skin, beautiful woman with a Caribbean swagger that’s ridiculous.”

The man who’s penned hits for Beyoncé and Usher is confident his contribution will keep Rihanna at the top of the charts. “I made sure that it was bulletproof. It should be a single unless something crazy happens. It’s hot as fuck. I think it’s a record that’s gonna stay on the radio for a long time.”

–D.L.

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43 Comments

Yas
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:22 am
She comes out with albums like clockwork…
Kyle
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:17 am
Monster hits don’t guarantee big album sales and it’s obvious that’s what Rihanna’s label really wants. But 4 albums deep, shouldn’t they know that by now? Why is she about to release another album when “Rated R” just came out. They should let it run it’s course, especially now that “Rude Boy” is taking off. I’d rather enjoy this album than get another album with all “Rude Boy’-sounding songs 5 months later. Rihanna-overload is very unnecessary, especially when you look at her album sales…
ARIES79
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:22 am
I LIKE RATED R AND WANTED FIREBOMB, AND ROCKSTAR AS SINGLES. .. BUT I LOV RIH RIH ANYWAY
Mia
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:37 am
they know the album is not doing well. They want some hits
HumanitySector
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:44 am
@Mia, Rated R is doing incredibly well worldwide, better than Good Girl Gone Bad. Rated R sold over 2 million already.

But I guess Rihanna wants to get over Rated R era since its too dark, she told her story, and now its the time for better times.

I really hope “Umbrella” Rihanna is coming back soon!
Rodrigo
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:58 am
I love Rated R !!!! Please, choose fire bomb for next single !!!!The last song is so beautiful!!!!
(Sorry, im brazilian and i don’t speak english very wll)
g3
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 am
they want another GGGB album i see & if that was the case RatedR shouldve have been a mixtape or something to hold off time for GGGB round2 because that is too soon but Firebomb and Rockstar101 would have been perfect follow up singles to Rudeboy because its doing well on the charts DefJam is buggin..ahhh well Rihanna get that money sexy ill be buying the album
Buzz Bites (3/2/10): Lady Gaga As A Muppet, Rihanna In The Studio | GossipO
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 am
[...] + Already hard at work on her new dance-friendly album, Rihanna has enlisted the skills of talented songwriter Sean Garrett to help out with her follow-up to Rated R. Garrett, who has written for everyone from Britney Spears to Jay-Z to Usher (and is the man behind Mario’s beautiful “Break Up“) says, “I gave her a humongous radio record.” That was rather nice of him! (Rap-Up) [...]
Buzz Bites (3/2/10): Lady Gaga As A Muppet, Rihanna In The Studio | GossipO
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 am
[...] + Already hard at work on her new dance-friendly album, Rihanna has enlisted the skills of talented songwriter Sean Garrett to help out with her follow-up to Rated R. Garrett, who has written for everyone from Britney Spears to Jay-Z to Usher (and is the man behind Mario’s beautiful “Break Up“) says, “I gave her a humongous radio record.” That was rather nice of him! (Rap-Up) [...]
100% Nikehead
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:11 am
Def Jam should release photographs ft Will I.Am as the last single to Rated R that would be the perfect last single. Since rudeboy is doing so well i think Photographs could be a #1, they need to let Rated R do its thing for a bit longer then release a follow up at the end of the year or so.
flammin1
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:28 am
Shes going to burn out. People are getting sick of her and her putting out isn’t going to make it any better. Plus, what will be her publicity stunt this time around? The Chris Brown beating didn’t help her for Rated R.
tbabytha1
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:29 am
damn i cant wait
Michael Burmeister
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:43 am
I could not STAND “Rated R”…Too dark for my tastes.

Good to hear she’s going back to her positive roots-YOU LOSE, ILLUMINATI! WATCH YOUR “NEW WORLD ORDER” BURN TO THE GROUND!

(PS: RiRi, get a new haircut too. The black bowl looks SOOO much better on you!)
...
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:45 am
stop with the publicity stunt bullshit, the thing with chris happened, of course she had to talk bout that. and she is not the first one to sing about such things…listen so mariah’s side effects of e=mc…and that with tommy was nearly 100 years ago….

did rihanna need publicity stunts for other cds? no, did she need them for gggb? no! so stop with it

by the way, she tries getting over it, thats why doing a new cd…cause rated r was the “chris brown hit me” cd

and you need to put cds out in quite a short time, otherwise people are going to forget you…

shakira takes breaks between her cds….didnt helped her for the last one, did it? lets see how christina will do

britney did the same thing at the beginning of her career…

then after 4 or 5 cds you can a break for 3 years or so

look at beyonce, she takes breaks between records but is not able to let you forget her stealing implanted ass… no, she throws her cunt into every commercial she gets or do c-class movies with her madonna-like-acting-skills

think rihanna should do photographs or stupid in love as the last single of rated r, they would give the album another push….then take a break for 3 or 4 months and come back with the first single…
Michael Burmeister
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:50 am
And BTW, why is my comment “awaiting moderation”? I didn’t say anything offensive?
OhPlease
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:03 am
Someone PLEASE tell Sean Garrett to shut the hell up. He calls everything he does a “smash!!!”, “BIG RECORD!”, “A CLASSIC!”… So sick of dude overhyping ish that just ends up flopping + really NOT being that hot.

Much love to Rih, though! :)
Whoa
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 am
^ calm down. you haven’t even heard the song. don’t be so quick to judge.
ROC NATION 4423
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:10 am
i cAN’T WAIT THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT BUT I LOVE RATED R AS WELL IT WAS HER BEST WORK.
ROC NATION 4423
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:17 am
HOTTEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR
RIHANNA
KANYE
OF COURSE BEYONCE IF SHE DROPS
NIKKI M.
DRAKE
JAY-Z
AND LUDACRIS
I CAN’T WAIT BUT I HOPE THIS ALBUM IS RATED R ALSO BUT JUST NOT AS DARK BECAUSE I LIKE THE NASTY SHIT TALKING RIHANNA
baron
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:26 am
I would like. Rated “R” to stay out there a little longer before we’re hit with a pop record. To me, artistically, it’s a great album. So what if it didn’t sell as big as her previous album.

Sometimes the current state of the music industry makes it hard for artists to be.. well artist!

Everyone wants hits and sales.. and Sean Garrett doesn’t guarantee a hit… ever.
swaggamcjagga
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:44 am
PERSONALLY…In the beginning of Rihanna’s career, I felt as if I didnt know her as an artist…She was all over the place. Now, I feel has grown. Rated R is a great album…she has some really good cuts. I can jam to every song on her album. People just dont know good music anymore. All they want to hear is them damn snaps, and synthesizers and a couple of (oh’s) and call it a song. Her album was deep and a little fun.

However… I am glad to see her coming back to the sunshine (A girl like me) phase (hopefully). I knew it was coming though. Because Rude Boy was not dark…her hair has been getting lighter and lighter, and she rocked long hair again in the vid.
Jay Jay
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:46 am
I like how both rihanna and Ciara are going back to their roots….both albums are going to be good
ROC NATION 4423
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:56 am
I SOUND LIKE THIS IS GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR MUSIC BUT IT WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER WAS A ALBUM FROM BEYONCE I CAN’T IMAGINE HER ON BREAK.
Jeffery J-Boe
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
I Am Still Waiting On My Ciara/Ci-Ci, and Rihanna/Ri-Ri Collaboration Song… And Rihanna Don’t Need To Release Another Album Just Yet… She Should Re-Release “Rated R” With A Bonus CD Full Of The New Material… That Way She Won’t Waste A Album… But Good-Luck Ri-Ri.
Riley
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:58 am
NO! Rihanna, don’t sell out because teeny boppers don’t like your dark side. Release “Photographs”, “Fire Bomb” and “Te Amo” as singles and just let it roll! “Te Amo” would be a great Latin American and European single. “Fire Bomb” would do very well internationally and it’s the #1 favorite of Rihanna fans. “Photographs” would be really hot as the next North American/Australian/Japanese/European single because it’s produced by will.i.am and it’s HOTT! Don’t do it! If anything, do a Rated R “reloaded” album with new tracks to balance out the darker tracks with more upbeat, cutting edge tracks.
Riley
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
Oh yeah, and I agree with @baron 100%. Rated R was her artistic statement, it just sucks that not many people were willing to give it a chance because it features her best singing, best lyrics, best overall sound, and for the first time, she actually wrote and had a big say in what direction she wanted to go in. Rihanna can only get better and better. Her tour is gonna be sick, I can’t wait until American dates are announced. Also, to the people saying they want a Rihanna/Ciara collabo, why? It’s seems pretty much useless. Rihanna don’t need Ciara as much as Ciara needs Rihanna.
Galang
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
Rihanna isn’t a true artist. She need to do something like end her life. Rihanna is very annoying.
RihannaLover
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Interesting! He didn’t mention any particular date for release and since she’s still promoting Rated R and going on tour from April for a year and a half, I doubt it’s this year! It’s probably for a re-release or a new album next summer! Rated R is gonna shine!
@Galang- Is it really that serious?
Walker
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Its a Rihanna-Overload! Rated R was her best album musically, if only it came at the end of 2010, so we could have a Rihanna break. Her label is being too hasty… They should give Rude Boy a chance. Releasing another Rihanna album so soon after Rated R could just backfire on the label. I think the should release more singles from Rated R (Stupid in Love, Photographs), then release a greatest hits album with some new tracks… Then rihanna, please take a two year BREAK.
Terra & Kassidy.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
We Love You Rihanna. (:
Terra & Kassidy.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:26 pm
We Are Like So Totally Not Preps But Rated R Is The Bestest Album In Like Um ? ForEver.<33
eliza
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
people will get tired of rihanna shes gonna become overrated so i guess riri needs to let rated r shine she needs to release rock star 101 and firebomb &photographs than in 2011 spring release that 5th album
All that glitters is silicon » Blog Archive » Rihanna Pens Up Her New Album
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:06 pm
[...] says the album has got a few “surprises” for fans and he think’s it’ll be her best work to [...]
Luel14
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:13 pm
There goes some heffa hating on bey again. Y’all keep her on ya mind. Don’t ya.
10 is ciaras
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Its ok, i mean albums just aren’t selling like they used to. It was def jams fault for new album, so quickly though. They shipped way too many copies for Rated R to sell. Its like over 400,000 under in US, which caused them to go in the red. They need a new album to bring that money back. I just hope they don’t hold that against her.
Shame, I loved “rockstar 101″ and wanted it to be the single to follow hard.

now, Im looking forward to Ciara and Rihanna.
Nicky
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:18 pm
@ 10

No boo, she’s at 700k sold in the US , 1.6M+ Worldwide
Alive
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Good Girl Gone Bad Is Better Than Her Current Album. Too Much Dark Sh*t.
Slim
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:13 am
well when you don’t write or produce your own songs you could release albums this fast
Lisa
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 am
I’m sure the album will be hot! ‘Rated R’ is her best album yet.
shanny
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:31 am
lmaoo whats gonna happen when cb releases what i do, pass out, i love u feat ester dean, wait ft trey songz and famous girl his album sales gonna go up those hits are definitely hot i mean after rude boy she only got rockstar101 and firebomb in addition his album is almost gold with NO Promotion i cant transform ya went platinum cb hasnt been releasing his singles that easy or done promo hes taking his time and he might re lease when the movie takers come out and im not even hating cause riri right now is on top of the game but dont throw shade at cb his trying to recover his career which is doing reasonably well
besty d
March 8th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
let a artist try n test variations of tunes, dark or lite stuff, try an appreciate
Rihanna Working On New Album, Producer Confirms
March 17th, 2010 at 6:20 am
[...] got a record on Rihanna’s new album,” Garrett tells Rapup.com. “She’s got some surprises. The record I gave her was very, very positive, very big. [...]
Rihanna Working On New Album, Producer Confirms
March 17th, 2010 at 6:20 am
[...] got a record on Rihanna’s new album,” Garrett tells Rapup.com. “She’s got some surprises. The record I gave her was very, very positive, very big. [...]