Pon de Replay

"Pon de Replay"
Single by Rihanna
from the album Music of the Sun
B-side"Should I?"
ReleasedMay 24, 2005 (2005-05-24)
Recorded2004
StudioThe Loft (Bronxville, New York)
Genre
Length
  • 4:06 (album version)
  • 3:34 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Vada Nobles
  • Carl Sturken
  • Evan Rogers
Rihanna singles chronology
"Pon de Replay"
(2005) 		"If It's Lovin' that You Want"
(2005)
Music video
"Pon de Replay" on YouTube

"Pon de Replay" is the debut single by Barbadian singer Rihanna, from her debut studio album, Music of the Sun (2005). It was written and produced by Vada Nobles, Alisha "M'Jestie" Brooks, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers. The song was released on May 24, 2005, as the lead single from the album. Prior to signing a six-album record deal with Def Jam Recordings, "Pon de Replay" was one of three songs which was recorded for her demo tape to be sent to record labels. It is a pop, dancehall and R&B song that features elements of reggae,[4] and reggaeton.[5] The lyrics revolve around Rihanna asking a DJ to turn the volume of her favorite songs up louder. The title means "play it again" in Bajan Creole.

"Pon de Replay" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song's composition and its choice as the singer's debut single. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number one in New Zealand and on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It also reached number two on both the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart, whilst achieving top-five positions in eight other countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland. It was certified three times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting shipments of over 3,000,000 copies. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Little X, and features Rihanna in a club with her friends, who ask the DJ to play their favorite song repeatedly.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference SlantMag1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYTReview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Perpetua, Matthew (December 13, 2011). "Rihanna vs. Beyonce: Who Reigns Supreme?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 26, 2015. Though she began her career with roots in dancehall and R&B on songs like 'Pon de Replay' and 'Unfaithful'
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lipshutz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Kellman, Andy. Now That's What I Call Music 20 (2005): Review at AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2023.