What’s My Name

Story of Song

Rihanna told ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ before performing the song live: “I love this record it’s really flirty but sassy and very connected to my western roots, and I’m really excited that America loves it this much.” In another interview, Rihanna talked about collaborating with Drake on this track: “Drake is the hottest rapper out right now, and we’ve always been trying to work together. He’s the only person I thought could really understand the melody of the song, and the minute he heard it he said, ‘I know exactly what I’m going to do. I love it.’ And he did it like three days later.” Producer Tor Erik Hermansen of Stargate told Billboard Magazine, “She played the record to Drake backstage somewhere to try to get him on a verse. She’s calling me up saying, ‘Where are the files?’ That’s one thing you don’t hear often from artists on her level.”

Release date

Released October 26, 2010

Songwriter/s

Mikkel S. Eriksen – Tor Erik Hermansen – Ester Dean – Traci Hale – Aubrey Graham

Label

Def Jam – SRP

Chart Rankings

US – 1

UK – 1

GERMANY – 12

In the UK, ‘What’s My Name’ topped the Official Charts Company and the UK R&B Charts. It made Rihanna the first ever female solo artist in the chart’s history to achieve number 1 singles in five consecutive years, an achievement she now shares with legend Elvis Presley. The British Phonographic Industry certified it Platinum for sales over 847.000 copies. In the US, Rihanna topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the US Rhythmic charts with her hit. The track peaked at number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts, and at number 6 on the US Dance Club songs chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it 6 times Platinum for sales over 3 million copies. ‘What’s My Name’ topped the charts in Hungary and Scotland, and reached the top 10 charts in Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, and Slovakia.

It was certified Platinum in Australia and Sweden; in Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland it was certified Gold.

Artist’s age on release date

Rihanna was 22 years old when this song was released.

Cover Versions

Conor Maynard – Hobbie Stuart – Mia Rose (acoustic) – 3West – MattyBRaps – Peter Hollens (Acappella) – David Sides (piano cover) – Terry Lewis Saunders – Melissa Bitanga – Erika David & D-Pryde – Yasmin – VanJess (Acapella cover) – We AreCoverDrive – Other amateur artists covered this song Youtube.

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