5. “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want” (2005)
For this standout track from Music of the Sun, producers Poke and Tone of Trackmasters gave Rihanna a beat that was a perfect blend between hip-hop and reggae. While the boom-bap drums (and fleeting KRS-One vocal sample) harkened back to Golden Era rap—a fact seized upon in a hook that borrows its phrasing from Boogie Down Productions’ “The Bridge is Over” (“Deedeedeedoddidoddideedeedoddidayyyy”)— the dub guitar echoes and organ flourishes gave it the feel of Sly & Robbie-era Grace Jones. The corresponding video played up Rihanna as an almost innocent island-girl next door—about as far of a cry from the whip-wielding dominatrix of today as one can get.