Rating: NNN
On the strength of one slippery riddim (and a borrowed Jay-Z a cappella), 17-year-old Rihanna’s first single, Pon De Replay, established the Barbadian singer as reggae’s own Ciara – young, hot and brimming with more hooks than a slaughterhouse but not nearly as much meat. This is pure product, so slick and glossy you could swear there’s a personality buried in there, but you don’t care. You’re way too drunk and busy dancing to the beats, which go from old-school vibes or a Beyoncé Naughty Girl feel to the most cutting-edge of futuristic club-throbbing dancehall on Rush, featuring – who else? – Kardinal Offishall, whose guest cameo is the best on the album. Uh, Kardi just dropped a cameo on a Def Jam record? Shit is heating up.