The Rihanna vocals, as DJ Khaled would say, are in — and now we can all hear them. The hit-making producer’s latest release, featuring Bad Gal RiRi herself and rapper Bryson Tiller, is a sizzling summer jam. In it, Khaled samples nothing less iconic than Carlos Santana’s classic 1999 tune “Maria Maria” with the Product G&B.
“Wild Thoughts” kicks off with a bang and that instantly-recognizable Santana guitar melody, before segueing into Rihanna’s low, compelling vocals and Tiller’s verses. It feels like a spiritual successor to last year’s hits “Work” and “One Dance” — but swapping those songs’ dancehall vibes for Santana’s guitar. Either way, it’s an intoxicating bop guaranteed to heat things up.
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For the tropical nighttime party video, shot on location in Miami, Rihanna shows us just what exactly those so-called “wild thoughts” look like as she dances in a hotel room and enjoys the evening’s events in sultry, fashion-forward style. Tiller and Khaled pop up to enjoy the balmy evening, too.
“Wild Thoughts” follows DJ Khaled’s number-one hit “I’m the One” with Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne; earlier release “Shining” with Beyoncé and Jay Z; and “To the Max” with Drake. All four singles will appear on his tenth album Grateful, a 23-track extravaganza due out June 23 featuring a true who’s-who of hip-hop. DJ Khaled is known for wrangling a mix of top artists, but this is the first time he has worked with pop culture queen Rihanna, a goal the social media superstar says has been a long time coming.
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