Pour It Up
"Pour It Up" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was serviced to urban radio stations in the United States on January 8, 2013, as the second US single, and third overall single from the album. It was later also sent to contemporary hit radio radios in the country. "Pour It Up" was co-written by Rock City and co-written and produced by Michael Williams and co-produced by JBo. It is a club, trap and R&B song with a minimal hip hop beat. Rihanna brags about her wealth, which serves as both a strip club anthem and a declaration of independence.
"Pour It Up" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Rihanna | ||||
from the album Unapologetic | ||||
Released | January 8, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:41 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Pour It Up" on YouTube |
"Pour It Up" received a mixed response from critics, some of whom cited it as a highlight on Unapologetic, whilst others felt it was out of place. Upon its release as a single in the US, "Pour It Up" debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, on which it ultimately peaked at number 19. It also became Rihanna's second number one single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and reached number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Rihanna performed the song on her fifth and sixth headlining tour, the Diamonds World Tour and Anti World Tour. The song's official remix was released on March 20, 2013 and features additional rap verses from Young Jeezy, T.I., Rick Ross and Juicy J. Rihanna took pole-dancing lessons from Nicole Williams before the shooting of the music video.[1]
Background and release
"Pour It Up" was written by Rihanna herself with assistance from Michael Williams, Justin Garner and Theron Thomas and Timothy Thomas (Planet VI).[2] It was produced by Williams under his stage name Mike WiLL Made It, while being co-produced by JBo of Eardrummer Ent.[2] Williams stated in an interview with MTV News that he had produced multiple records for Rihanna for Unapologetic. He submitted three tracks in total, with "Pour It Up" making the track list.[3] "Pour It Up" was released to urban radio in the United States on January 8, 2013, as the second single in the country following Unapologetic's lead single, "Diamonds".[4] Over three months later, following the success of the song on the format, it was sent to contemporary hit radio on April 9.[5]
Composition
"Pour It Up" is a club, trap and R&B song,[6][7][8] with a minimal hip hop beat.[9] Lyrically, it finds Rihanna turning a strip-club anthem into a declaration of independence,[10] pulling out her dollar bills at the strip club, getting drunk, and bragging loudly.[9] A part of the song hears Rihanna bragging about how she is rich and can pay for a $100 valet service and a night at the strip club.[11] "All I see is signs, all I see is dollar signs", she declares.[9] "Throw it up / throw it up / watch it all fall out / Pour it up / Pour it up / That's how we ball out", she chants over a "hypnotic" beat and "handclaps".[12] Rihanna's vocals span from the low note of F♯3 to the high note of A4.[13]
Critical reception
"Pour It Up" received mixed reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman of AllMusic called it "convincing", writing that "she's at her best when she's flaunting".[14] Kellman also noted that "Pour It Up" is "a characteristically chilly and booming Mike Will collaboration", also praising "Rihanna's trash talk", writing that "it's something else".[14] Jon Caramanica of New York Times commented that, "it sounds like a track the ambient-goth outfit Salem might make for a strip club."[15] Alex Macpherson of Fact wrote that on 'Pour It Up', "Rihanna goes through mere scornful contempt and terrifies with her blank, relentless focus."[16] Caryn Ganz of Spin called it "moody and murky".[17] Andrew Hampp of Billboard named it "an irresistible, Mike WiLL-produced banger for the ladies."[12]
Jessica Hopper of Pitchfork Media was also mixed, writing that on 'Pour It Up,' "she sounds alternately robotic and narcotized."[11] Dan Martin of NME criticized the song for "killing the mood", calling it an "In Da Club guff".[18] Philip Matusavage of MusicOMH was negative, commenting that the "sense of emotional trauma displays itself in a different way on the album", calling it "obnoxious",[19] while Randall Roberts of Los Angeles Times named it "a nausea-inducing track".[20] Sarah H. Grant of Consequence of Sound reflected that, "the effervescence of her breakthrough Good Girl Gone Bad is lost to some hopeless place", citing "Pour It Up" as an example.[21]
However, cultural critic Camille Paglia praised the song highly, saying in an interview in August 2013 that "[i]n the past year, the only things that sparked my enthusiasm and gave me hope for an artistic revival were in pop music [, one being] Rihanna’s eerie “Pour It Up,” which uses a strip club as a hallucinatory metaphor for an identity crisis about sex and materialism."[22]
Commercial performance
Upon the release of Unapologetic, "Pour It Up" debuted at number 191 on the French Singles Chart. Over three months later, the song re-entered the chart at 199 for the date issued March 23, 2013, climbed to a new peak of number 102 the following week.[23] It debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the issue dated January 19, 2013, since reaching a top twenty peak of number 19.[24] For the issue dated March 2, 2013, "Pour It Up" reached number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, becoming Rihanna's second number one on the chart from 30 entries.[25][26] It has remained atop the chart for five consecutive weeks.[27] It has subsequently charted at number six on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[28] As of May 2013, the song has sold more than one million copies in the United States.[29] In its ninth week on the chart, "Pour It Up" entered the UK R&B Chart at number 40 for the issue dated March 30, 2013.[30] It climbed to number 22 the following week.[31]
Music video
The official music video for "Pour It Up" was filmed in May 2013.[32] In September 2013, the director Vincent Haycock, tweeted that he was no longer involved with the project due to "creative differences", Rihanna later replied to him by stating: "Just take your name off the check while u at it! Whatever your issue is leave my fans out of it". That same month, Rihanna posted new behind the scenes pictures from the shoot and stated that the video would be released in October 2013.[33] The video was released on her official YouTube channel October 2, 2013, but became unlisted 30 minutes after release.[34] It was later uploaded on Rihanna's official VEVO account. The visual features Rihanna starring as a stripper writhing around and grinding on a giant golden throne, scantily clad in a diamond bra and a denim thong while strippers slide down poles positioned, amid a giant pool of water behind her. It also features the singer chucking a load of money around.
Rolling Stone said the video which is not of "high art certainly matches the lavish strip-club exploits referenced in the song."[35] HitFix gave the video a D grade, "it' s a dimly lit video equivalent of a Playboy photo spread that is meant to serve the very same purpose for the boys and men who view it. And we're all supposed to scrape and bow and talk about how 'artfully' it's shot and pretend that it’s so very empowering for her to show off her body this way."[36]
Live performances
"Pour It Up" was included in the set list as part of Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour.[37] On February 25, 2014, Rihanna performed the song during Drake's sold-out concert at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, France as part of his Would You like a Tour? tour.[38] She also performed the song at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.[39]
Remixes and covers
On January 24, 2013, a freestyle cover of "Pour It Up" was released by rapper Trina.[40] On February 4, 2013, American rapper Lil' Kim covered "Pour it Up" featuring her boyfriend "Mr. Papers".[41] On March 6, 2013, rappers French Montana and Chinx Drugz released a cover of the single.[42] Redlight and Seb Chew also remixed the song in the form of a bootleg titled "Pour It Zero's".[43] Nigerian Hiphop/Pop duo Young Paperboyz also released their remix of "Pour It Up".[44] Italian rapper Jesto featuring Briga and Killa Cali remixed the song making the Italian version called Fatti l'uno x l'altra.[45]
Credits and personnel
- Recording
- Recorded at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California.
- Mixed at Larabee Studios, Burbank, California.
- Personnel
|
|
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Unapologetic, Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records.[46]
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] | Silver | 200,000 |
United States (RIAA)[62] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000 |
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | January 8, 2013 | Urban radio | Def Jam Recordings | [4] |
United Kingdom | April 3, 2013 | Contemporary hit radio | [63] | |
United States | April 9, 2013 | [5] | ||
United Kingdom | April 18, 2013 | Urban radio | [64] |
Remix
"Pour It Up (Remix)" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J and T.I. | ||||
A-side | "Right Now" | |||
Released | March 20, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 5:08 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Young Jeezy singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Rick Ross singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Juicy J singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
T.I. singles chronology | ||||
|
"Pour It Up" was remixed with rap verses from American rappers Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J and T.I., and is an extended version of the original solo version of the song included on Unapologetic (2012). The remix was released to iTunes worldwide on March 20, 2013.
Background and composition
On March 4, 2013, it was reported that Rihanna was enlisting various rappers for an official remix of "Pour It Up". The reports speculated guest appearances from Juicy J, 2 Chainz, T.I., Rick Ross and Young Jeezy.[65] The official remix was released on March 20, 2013 and features additional vocals from American rappers Young Jeezy, T.I., Rick Ross and Juicy J.[66] Later, another unmastered version of the remix was released, with 2 Chainz rapping a verse after T.I.
While Rihanna's verses remain the same, with individual verse additions from the featured American rappers. Jeezy begins the collaborations rapping about "throwing hundreds" and "listening to Kendrick Lamar". Rick Ross then continues, "Dollar after dollar/ Bottle after Bottle/ Late for you haters even though my plane chartered", and rapping about "sexy ladies". This is followed by a verse from Juicy J promising "I'll make it rain, shawty/ You might need a raincoat", and finally a verse from T.I.[67][68]
Critical reception
Michael Depland of MTV said, "While we may never get a proper "Pour It Up" video, we DO (sic) have the next best thing: a brand-new remix featuring Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J, and T.I. Can you imagine if all those dudes rolled through a strip club together? Every dancer in the place could probably retire that night! With all these hip-hop titans on this naughty track, the only rapper we can figure that's missing is Drake. He did recently drop $50,000 in a strip club, but we understand why he may have been left out of this particular remix. When a dude has legal issues with your boyfriend, you probably wouldn't invite him to collabo."[68] Joe Lynch of Fuse noted the addition of both Rick Ross and Young Jeezy saying, "Even though Rick Ross said he "tried to finger" Young Jeezy at the BET Hip Hop Awards last September, the two rappers have put aside their backstage beef for a higher power: Rihanna. Well, Rihanna and/or money."[69]
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | March 20, 2013 | Digital download | Universal Music | [70] |
Canada | [71] | |||
Denmark | [72] | |||
Finland | [73] | |||
France | [74] | |||
Germany | [75] | |||
Italy | [76] | |||
Netherlands | [77] | |||
New Zealand | [78] | |||
Norway | [79] | |||
Spain | [71] | |||
Sweden | [80] | |||
Switzerland | [81] | |||
United Kingdom | Mercury Records | [82] | ||
United States | Def Jam Records | [83] | ||
Australia | March 22, 2013 | Universal Music | [84] |
References
- "Rihanna's Pole Dancing Photos Tease Her 'Pour It Up' Video". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- Unapologetic (CD liner notes). Rihanna. Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records. 2012. B0017811-02.CS1 maint: others (link)
- Markman, Rob (December 3, 2012). "Rihanna Came To Mike Will For 'That Turn-Up'". MTV Music. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 9, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- Barretto, Clyde Edwin (December 6, 2012). "Rihanna: 'Pour It Up'". Prefix. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- Lipshutz, Jason (2015-03-26). "Rihanna Is a Trap Queen on 'B—h Better Have My Money': Song Review". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
Is 'Bitch Better Have My Money' a rightful successor to those songs? Not quite -- the uptempo new single, presumably previewing Rihanna's eighth studio album, is more akin to a brash trap track like 'Pour It Up,'
- "25 R&B songs that will turn a lady into a freak". AMB Mag. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- Stern, Brad (December 19, 2012). "Rihanna 'Unapologetic': Track-By-Track Review". MTV Buzzworthy. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- Dolan, Jon (November 20, 2012). "Unapologetic". Rolling Stone. New York. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- Hopper, Jessica (November 26, 2012). "Rihanna: Unapologetic". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
- Hamp, Andrew (November 17, 2012). "Rihanna, 'Unapologetic': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- "Rihanna – Pour It Up Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- Kellman, Andy. "Unapologetic – Rihanna : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- Caramanica, Jon (November 21, 2012). "Rihanna, Icy Hot and Steely-Strong". The New York Times. p. C1. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
- Macpherson, Alex (November 23, 2012). "Unapologetic - FACT Magazine". Fact. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- Ganz, Caryn (November 28, 2012). "Rihanna, 'Unapologetic' (Def Jam)". Spin. New York. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- Martin, Dan (November 24, 2012). "Rihanna - 'Unapologetic'". NME. London. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
- Matusavage, Philip (November 19, 2012). "Rihanna - Unapologetic | musicOMH". MusicOMH. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- Roberts, Randall (November 16, 2012). "Review: Rihanna's 'Unapologetic' shines light on past drama". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- H. Grant, Sarah (November 26, 2012). "Album Review: Rihanna – Unapologetic". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- "Camille Paglia: "It remains baffling how anyone would think that Hillary Clinton is our party's best chance"". Salon. 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- "Lescharts.com – Rihanna – Pour It Up" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- "Rihanna Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
- "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- "Chart Juice: Drake Earns 30th Top 10 Single On R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
- "Chart Highlights: Blake Shelton's 'Cool' Crowns Country Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- "Week Ending May 5, 2013. Songs: Macklemore Pulls A Gaga". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- "Rihanna Channels Marilyn Monroe In Stripper-Themed Video | MTV UK". MTV. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- "Rihanna Reveals 'Pour It Up' Video Pics". Rap-Up.com. 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- Video on YouTube
- Reed, Ryan (October 2, 2013). "Rihanna Twerks Dangerously in 'Pour It Up'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
- Newman, Melinda (October 3, 2013). "Does Rihanna's 'Pour It Up' NSFW strip club video go too far?: Watch". HitFix. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
- "Rihanna Releases 'Pour It Up' Diamonds Tour Rehearsal Video". KMXH 93.3 FM. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
- "Rihanna and Drake Grind on Stage During Rapper's Paris Concert—Watch Now! | E! Online UK". E!. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- http://pitchfork.com/news/67860-mtv-vma-2016-watch-rihanna-perform-four-career-spanning-medleys/
- "New Music: Trina – 'Pour It Up (Freestyle)'". Rap-Up. January 24, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- "New Music: Lil' Kim f/ Mr. Papers – 'Pour It Up (Remix)'". Rap-Up. February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- "French Montana ft. Chinx Drugz - "Pour It Up (Remix)" [LISTEN/DOWNLOAD]". Hip Hop Wired. March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
- "REDLIGHT & SEB CHEW . > POUR IT ZERO's by Redlight UK". SoundButt. 2013-04-04.
- "MP3 DOWNLOAD: Young Paperboyz – Pour It Up [Remix] Feat Rihanna". Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- Fatti l'uno x l'altra, "Pour it up" italian remix
- Unapologetic (inlay cover). Rihanna. Def Jam Recordings, SRP. 2012. p. 19.CS1 maint: others (link)
- "Australian-charts.com – Rihanna – Pour It Up". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- "Ultratop.be – Rihanna – Pour It Up" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
- "Ultratop.be – Rihanna – Pour It Up" (in French). Ultratip.
- "Rihanna Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201315 into search.
- "Chart Track: Week 41, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
- "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- "Rihanna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
- "Rihanna Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- "Rihanna Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- "Rihanna Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
- "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- "British single certifications – Rihanna – Pour It Up". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Pour It Up in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American single certifications – Rihanna – Pour It Up". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
- "BBC Radio 1 Playlist – 3 April 2013". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- "BBC Radio 1Xtra Playlist – 18 April 2013". BBC Radio 1Xtra. BBC. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- "Rihanna Recruiting Star Studded Lineup For 'Pour It Up' Remix Including Both Young Jeezy and Rick Ross?". The Versed. March 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- "Rihanna Debuts 'Pour It Up' Remix With Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "New Music: Rihanna f/ Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J, & T.I. – 'Pour It Up (Remix)'". Rap-Up. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Rihanna Featuring Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J, And T.I., 'Pour It Up (Remix)' (NSFW)". MTV. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013. Cite journal requires
|journal=
(help) - "Rihanna 'Pour It Up' Remix Reunites Beefing Rick Ross & Young Jeezy". Fuse. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- "Pour It Up (Remix) [feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.] - Single AUSTRALIA". iTunes Store. Retrieved March 22, 2013.