Rihanna and Drake just released a hot and steamy double-video for their single “Work,” the lead single from Bajan-born superstar’s eighth studio album, ANTI — the second No. 1 album of Rihanna’s career.
Director X, who has worked on some of Dancehall’s biggest music videos, including Sean Paul’s “Get Busy,” directed the first portion of the clip that saw Drake and Rihanna get all sweaty to the Dancehall inspired production in popular Toronto Caribbean restaurant The Real Jerk flipped into a Dancehall-themed club.
Since the tracks’ release in January, Dancehall fans have noted the similarities between Jamaican-American producer Boi-1da’s ‘Work’ beat and Jamaican singer and producer Richie Stephens’ Sail Away Riddim, which spawned the Beenie Man and Mr. Vegas collaboration “Badman Nuh Flee” and Sean Paul’s “Fit and Legit” in 1998.
In the 7-minute video, Rihanna whining among a troupe of Dancehall Queens performing the Puppy Tail, and Kings doing the Tek Weh Yuhself dance with Red Stripe Beer in hand and Drake saying ‘yuh need fi fawud’ on the track all can be attributed to Jamaica’s Dancehall Culture.
Rihanna sports a rasta-coloured (red, green, and gold) mesh dress designed by Tommy Hilfiger, inspired by the Jamaican culture.
The second clip, which was directed by Tim Erem, is more of an intimate setting, as Drake and RiRi are all alone in a room singing and admiring each other’s work.
Earlier this month, critics blasted Rihanna for singing “Gibberish” on her new single. There were others saying she that was singing in Jamaican creole, Patois, so her pop fans would not understand. Some Bajans step in the conversation saying it ain’t so.
Now the video adds clarity. Dancehall culture is clearly highlighted in the video. Where are naysayers now?
