Pop Perspective: Rih’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” Reviewed By All Four Idolator Editors
At Idolator, the editors share a passion for high-quality pop. Occasionally, our tastes align. Other times, not so much! So, in the spirit of debate, we’ve developed a recurring feature called Pop Perspective. Basically, all four of us dissect a particularly noteworthy pop event, and give it a rating out of 10.
That way you’re getting a full spectrum of views and we can all vent. (It’s cheaper than therapy!) The latest pop milestone to be dragged under the Idolator microscope is Rihanna’s iTunes-conquering “Bitch Better Have My Money.” Is it a ratchet bop of the highest order or a desperate move to win fans over after the failure of R8 lead single “FourFiveSeconds” to top the charts? See our thoughts below.
Robbie Daw — 5/10
When it comes to doling out instant smash lead (and even second) singles off a new album, Rihanna has a track record of being at the top of the game. And while “FourFiveSeconds” seems to have RiRi’s fans feeling quite conflicted this time around (it’s no “Umbrella” or “We Found Love,” and yet someone keeps buying it, right?), “Bitch Better Have My Money” probably won’t do much to calm the Navy’s inner tension.
With all its down-tempo thump and squawking, the truth is, “BBHMM” just doesn’t sound like a good pop single. Fair enough if this is simply a “buzz” track, aimed at getting listeners revved up for R8, but why go through all the trouble of the irritating Dubsmash rollout for a song that’s not been slapped with a High Priority label?
Rih may have no phucks when it comes to her general attitude, but hopefully she scrounges up a few with regards to delivering a cohesive, solid LP when all is said and done.
Bianca Gracie — 5/10
When Rihanna released the cover art for her latest single, “Bitch Better Have My Money,” I was elated. 1. Because I had hopes it would draw my attention away from the bland-as-tofu “FourFiveSeconds” and 2. She looked like a confident, raw artist who actually meant business (despite her shaky promo game). But once the full single dropped, those hopes were thrown into the trash can next to my desk.
Rihanna is no stranger to trap-inspired, “Don’t Phuck With Me” tunes that were released way before ones like “***Flawless” (despite some thinking otherwise). There are album greats like Rated R‘s “Wait Your Turn” and “Hard,” Talk That Talk‘s “Cockiness (Love It)” and Unapologetic‘s “Phresh Off The Runway” and “Pour It Up.” But does “BBHMM” fit into the category of shit-talking bangers? Unfortunately no.
The tune is meant to be a rugged, thug-nasty track but it just falls flat. From the overly high-pitched vocals, the weak bassline to the try-hard lyrics (“Shit, your wife in the backseat of my brand new foreign car/Don’t act like you forgot/I call the shots, shots, shots), “BBHMM” doesn’t pack enough punch that we know the popstress can bring. She is no stranger to this game, after all.
As a dedicated member of the #RihannaNavy for almost a decade, it’s admittedly hard for me to not support her overall decisions. But then again I’m not delusional like some of my fellow stans. So with that being said, the Bad Gal isn’t proving to be as bad as she can be with the R8 era so far. And at this point, my hype for the record is a dying flame. Let’s hope she can reel me back in (by hopefully releasing “Kiss It Better” or “Higher” ASAP).
Bradley Stern — 7/10
Ooh, na, na. Moo, la la. Screw the acoustic guitar: Now this is the Rihanna we all know and love! For the most part, anyway. Rih’s embracing her inner Trap Queen, like a bitchy, irritating cousin to “Pour It Up.” Her braggy a$$ attitude is all sorts of “Cockiness,” and the beats are chilly and aggressive. She’s served up this kind of attitude time and time again.
It’s certainly not the most inventive or game-changing song (she’s clearly been turning up to Rae Sremmurd’s “No Type”), but it is pretty fun in all of its phucks-lessness. Also, “Turn up to Rihanna while the whole club fuckin’ wasted!” is perhaps her most relatable lyric to date. EVERY WEEKEND, RIRI.
Mike Wass — 3/10
If you needed any further proof that Rihanna was, is and will always be the poor man’s Beyonce — look no further than “Bitch Better Have My Money.” This generic brand “7/11” will probably spend 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and then be forgotten by the end of the year. Like much of her discography.
IDOLATOR SCORE: 20/40
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