ROC4LIFE

Last Friday, fans, industry insiders, and artists piled into the JAY-Z-owned 40/40 club to experience an exclusive listening party for Rihanna’s upcoming album, Unapologetic.

As Rihanna mentioned on her Facebook chat that happened earlier in the week, she partnered up with the NY Daily News and everyone that brought a donation for the victims of Hurricane Sandy was allowed to enter the event. Notable attendees also included Ty Ty, Rihanna’s manager, Jay Brown, Maybach Music recording artist Omarion, and A&R/photographer Lenny S. Guests (who were of age) were treated to D’Usse cognac cocktails as they mingled and previewed the highly anticipated album.

We will say that while there were a lot of notable faces in the building, when the DJ started playing the album, Rihanna was nowhere to be found. But once the venue was filled and the guests were starting to settle in, the DJ hopped on the mic, gave a few shoutouts, and proceeded to play the album.

Unapologetic opens with a high energy, uptempo track called “Fresh Out the Runway.” After the first listen of the album, we can definitely conclude that Unapologetic is a perfect name for the project. Rihanna experimented with a lot of new sounds, unexpected features (umm…hello Future), and pushed the envelope.

The album basically has something for everyone: “Right Now” is a vibrant dance track (with David Guetta) that makes you want to take your glowsticks out, while “What Now” is a ballad that really showcases her vocal ability. There was also a surprise Mike Will-produced “ratchet” track called “Pour it Up” that sounds like a woman’s answer to Juicy J’s hit single “Bandz a Make Her Dance.”

While there were definitely a few hits on the album that can be played over and over again, the song that seemed to get the most reaction from the crowd was the Chris Brown-assisted “Nobody’s Business.” Of course, controversy and the hype surrounding the feature will get a lot of attention, but we will say that the song was actually a crowd favorite and one of the best on the album. It is a feel good track that one can see people dancing to in a club as well as two-stepping to at weddings. We hope that it will be a single so that we can see the visual.

The album has many high moments and surefire hits. Rihanna has DEFINITELY grown musically and it is easy to tell the she has been taking vocal lessons. It’s paid off, because Unapologetic is definitely worth picking up from the store.

After the album was played in its entirety, fans were given a major surprise when the DJ ran the album back and Rihanna entered the building! She showed up wearing an Opening Ceremony Birds of Paradise Jacket, rocking a Chanel handbag, and Timberland boots. As the ever gracious host, she also made sure she greeted and signed autographs for fans all night, and even made sure to enjoy some of the food at 40/40.

Rihanna also seized the opportunity to call for donations to Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. She led the way by pledging 1000 sleeping beds. Her fans followed suit with numerous donations, which were then loaded onto a Daily News truck.

Unapologetic is in stores November 19th!

Pre order here.

Notable Tracks:

2. “Diamonds”
3. “Numb” featuring Eminem
4. “Pour it Up”
5. “Loveeeeeee Song” ft Future
6. “Jump”
8. “What Now”
10. “Nobody’s Business” ft. Chris Brown

(Photos: rihannadaily.com)

— Aura Harewood