Rihanna - Don't Stop the Music

Rihanna takes us back to the dance floor where her story began with "Pon De Replay" just a little over 2 years ago. Already a #1 dance hit, this song is fantastic for clubs if a little repetitive for pop radio play. Rihanna's voice is commanding in the big, echoey Stargate production.

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Originally planned as the 3rd pop single release from the album Good Girl Gone Bad, "Don't Stop the Music" was held back in favor of the Ne-Yo duet "Hate That I Love You." Meanwhile, "Don't Stop the Music" went on to top the Billboard dance charts as well as hit #1 on a number of pop singles charts across Europe. As US pop radio began looking for a 4th Rihanna single from the album, this song could no longer be held back.

The production team Stargate have already proven they can generate top-notch elegant R&B, but now they've proven hot thumping dance music is well within their reach, too. Rihanna's sometimes thin vocals are mixed for optimum room filling sound and will encourage you to sing along. The inclusion of Michael Jackson's classic "Ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa" from "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a minor stroke of genius. The line, which itself was an interpolation of a piece from legendary disco predecessor "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango, proves Stargate know their dance music history.

In recent years US pop radio has not proven itself immediately receptive to club-oriented productions, but Rihanna is a big enough star to possibly break down those walls. Regardless of final chart placing, however, this is another strong success in Rihanna's ever-lengthening resume of great pop singles.

Released by Def Jam January, 2008.

Reviewed December, 2007.