Rihanna Debuts “American Oxygen” At March Madness: Watch
Rihanna debuted a new song, “American Oxygen,” while performing at the March Madness Music Festival last night (April 4).
“Sweat for a nickel and dime, turn it into an empire,” she sings in her new National Anthem, about young boys and girls hustling in pursuit of the American Dream. It recalls the synopsis of FOX’s Empire (just being honest), and it’s the most politicized that the Unapologetic diva has ever been.
With songs like #R8 lead single “FourFiveSeconds” and now “American Oxygen,” Rihanna isn’t playing up her Barbadian roots in urban dance pop singles, as she did at the start of her career. Instead, by trying her hand at roots rock and/or recalling “The Times They Are Changin'” lyrically, she’s flirting with Americana — a pretty radical statement, again, given where she comes from.
Soon after her performance, Rihanna promised a member of her Navy that the studio version of “American Oxygen” will be released soon. Until then, watch the live debut up top and see her full March Madness Music Festival performance below.
[via The Indianapolis Star]
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