There's some form of expectation that a track featuring Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney is going to be a pop sensation. "FourFiveSeconds" proves that great musical minds speak the same language, regardless of race and genre preferences. Like its West/McCartney predecessor, "Only One," the new track opts for a stripped-down production. The former Beatle strums an acoustic guitar while Rihanna carries the tune, giving West a few pockets to add his two cents.
"I think I've had enough / Might get a little drunk / I say what's on my mind / I might do a little time," Rihanna howls at the start. West forgoes his usual flow to sing, adding a pleasant layer to the simple tune. It's so catchy too. The song is available for download on iTunes, or you can stream it over at XXL right now.
According to HotNewHipHop, Ibn Jasper, a close pal to West who also doubles as his barber, says that the new single will appear on both Rihanna and Yeezy's upcoming albums because they're both signed to Roc Nation. He went on to reveal that Sir Paul is co-producing West's follow-up to 2013's Yeezus.
Yeezy's been previewing his new album for everyone from Seth Rogen to executives at Def Jam. Steve Bartels, the record label's CEO, offered his opinion on the album after hearing it.
"It sounds incredible," he said. "He's focused, energetic, happy and making unbelievably great music. Kanye always wants to make sure that when it actually arrives it's at the best possible place it could be, that the first song is as big as the last. He's the absolute bar of perfection in terms of that. I tell him all the time: Some of his previous albums are still testing out in the marketplace as high, if not higher, than when they first came out because the music is still fresh to people."
West recently spoke at the iHeartMedia Music Summit, recanting his remarks from 2013 about not wanting to be on the radio. He also said that he asked McCartney what the perks of being a rock star in the 1960s were like (in regards to the ladies).
