"Rockstar 101" | ||||
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Single by Rihanna featuring Slash | ||||
from the album Rated R | ||||
Released | May 18, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
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Length | 3:58 | |||
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Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
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Slash singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Rockstar 101" on YouTube |
"Rockstar 101" (stylized as "ROCKSTAR 101") is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009). The song features the British-American guitarist Slash of the rock group Guns N' Roses. It was released on May 18, 2010, as the fifth single from the album. Rihanna wrote the song in collaboration with the producers The-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart; vocal production was carried out by Makeba Riddick. The album version is a grunge-crunk and hip hop song, while the remix EP's consist of dance, dubstep and electronic music adaptations, some of which were remixed by Dave Audé and Mark Picchiotti.
Critical response to "Rockstar 101" was mixed; some critics praised Rihanna's "bravado" while others criticized the "aggressive" tone. The song charted at number 64 on the United States' Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number two on the Dance Club Songs chart. To promote the song, Rihanna performed on American Idol in April 2010. It has been included on the set lists of her Last Girl on Earth (2010–11) and Diamonds World Tour (2013). Melina Matsoukas directed the song's music video, which portrays Rihanna impersonating Slash. She wears custom made jewelry designed by Fannie Schiavoni in some parts of the video, while Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker makes a cameo appearance.