| "Consideration" | |
|---|---|
| Promotional single byRihanna featuringSZA | |
| from the albumAnti | |
| Released | December 8, 2017 (2017-12-08) (RemixEP) |
| Studio | Jungle City (New York City) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:41 |
| Label |
|
| Songwriters | |
| Producer | Tyran "Scum" Donaldson |
| Audio video | |
| "Consideration" onYouTube | |
"Consideration" is a song recorded by Barbadian singerRihanna from her eighth studio albumAnti (2016). It was co-written by featured artistSZA, with Rihanna and the song's producer,Tyran Donaldson. "Consideration" is adub-inspiredpop andhip hop song, with a "stuttering, distorted beat", "pounding percussion", "a crunchy groove", and a "throbbing bass line" in its instrumentation. Lyrically, the song is a declaration of independence, and a desire to seek peace of mind.
Rihanna performed "Consideration" with SZA on a medley with "Work" on the2016 Brit Awards, after which she included it on herAnti World Tour. Upon the release of the album, "Consideration" charted in a few European countries, such as France and Sweden, and following the Brit Awards performance, the song debuted on theUK Singles Chart and theUK R&B Chart. On December 8, 2017, an EP including six dance remixes of the song was released on streaming music services.
"Consideration" was originally meant for inclusion onSZA's debut album,Ctrl (2017), with the title "LouAnne Johnson", which was inspired by and named afterMichelle Pfeiffer'scharacter inDangerous Minds (1995).[1] SZA has stated that the song reminded her of the movieDangerous Minds (1995) "mixed with theyodeling" fromInsidious (2010).[2] SZA was invited to a writing camp by Rihanna, but was ultimately unsuccessful in writing her any new music at the time, however, in an effort to impressPharrell Williams, she performed "Consideration", which Rihanna later asked to have for her album,Anti.[3] SZA's decision to relinquish the song ultimately "devastated" her, and caused her to think "[she'll] never make anything better".[4] Speaking toi-D, SZA stated: "I think I needed that song on my album. But, then I do also think it was supposed to work out the way it worked out. I wonder though...Ctrl probably would have been completed a year earlier had I kept 'Consideration' [...] In some circles I think people thought it would do more for me. I didn't think it would do anything. So I guess I landed somewhere in the middle."[3]
"Consideration" was written by Solana Rowe (who is known professionally as SZA), Tyran Donaldson, and Rihanna. It was produced by Donaldson with vocal production byKuk Harrell.Shea Taylor was responsible forkeyboards, Carter Lang playedorgan andsynth bass, and Marcos Tovar was in charge of the vocal recording. The song was recorded at theJungle City Studios inNew York City andmixed atLarrabee Studios inUniversal City.[5] "Consideration" features vocals by SZA, who is part ofTop Dawg Entertainment, an independent label, with Donaldson.[6] She published a few lines of the track during anInstagram post on May 21, 2015.[7]
"Consideration" is the opening track of the album,[8] with a length of two minutes and forty-one seconds.[9] Jeff Benjamin ofFuse considers it "more ofAnti's intro track than a properpop song."[10] It was written in the key ofG minor with atempo of 145beats per minute.[11] It is a "glitchy,dub-inspired"[10] pop[12] andhip-hop track,[13] "fusing an eerie,down-tempo tune,"[14] with a "stuttering,distortedbeat,"[15] "poundingpercussion"[16] "a crunchygroove,"[17] and a "throbbingbass line."[18] During the song, she explores the contours of herBarbadian accent,[19] "jump[ing] from powerful, low notes to head-voice notes."[10] Rihanna's tone is "pugnacious, but playful," according to Emily MacKay ofNME.[20] Forrest Wickman ofSlate stated that Kuk Harrell "lift[s] the bass line fromCommon's 'Be (Intro)'."[21]
Lyrically, "Consideration" is a declaration of independence,[22] as Rihanna is trying to prove "she is the one steering the wheel of her career,"[23] outlining "her worth as artist and business asset."[20] The song opens with "aPeter Pan metaphor about being held back from maturing," where she sings: "I come fluttering in fromNeverland [...] Why will you never let me grow?".[21] In the chorus, she bluntly sings: "I got to do things my own way, darling,"[8] while also expressing dissatisfaction and asking "in a thickpatois": "Will you ever let me? Will you ever respect me? No!".[24] During the second verse, she "asserts that she's through with acting as the world'savatar," asking: "Darling, would you mind giving my reflection a break from the pain it's feeling now?".[12] During the second verse Rihanna sings rebelliously, "Let me cover your shit in glitter, I can make it gold."[25]
Nolan Feeney ofTime opined that in the song "Rihanna seems determined to explain what took her so long."[24] Bianca Gracie ofIdolator went further, analyzing that it features "lyrical nods to her 2014 transition fromDef Jam toRoc Nation."[23] Chris Gerard ofPopMatters stated that the lyrics deal with, "an issue that frequently arises when a young artist who is largely controlled by record label executives, managers and producers gets to the point where she can flex her own artistic muscles."[22] Sal Cinquemani ofSlant Magazine declared: "To say that the album, her first in over three years, has had a contentious road to release is an understatement, with reports of false starts and, eventually, the promotion of three singles ['FourFiveSeconds', 'Bitch Better Have My Money' and 'American Oxygen'] that, though moderately successfully, failed to resonate with fans or critics the way her past hits have. And without missing a beat, Rihanna provides a pointed, unapologetic rejoinder to the rhetorical questions posed in the song's lyrics: 'No.'"[26]
"Consideration" was met with general acclaim.Amanda Petrusich ofPitchfork described "Consideration" as, "a prickly collaboration with theR&B singer SZA", noting that "the sentiment feels deliberately placed, meant as a way to read everything that follows." Petrusich also highlighted her "grainy, mesmerizing voice [which] is paramount [on the track]."[15] Julianne Escobedo Shepherd ofBillboard defined the song as, "a plucky thesis that delivers as the album's stony layers peel back," calling it "a loping, patois pop number."[12] Whereas, Brittany Spanos ofRolling Stone reflected: "After years as a singer largely defined by herproduction, it finally feels like Rihanna is in charge of her own sound, remaking pop on her own terms."[8] Bianca Gracie ofIdolator praised "the floral vocal addition from SZA," which she explains, "elevates the track to edgier heights."[23] Emily MacKay ofNME claimed the song's message is clear: "she's excelled at being a pro, but now is her time to be anAnti."[20] Jordan Bassett of the same publication commended the song for being "such a strong start," highlighting "the pounding percussion and Rihanna's confident flow for arrest[ing] your attention. It's languid but assured, and that's beforeneo-soul singer SZA's otherworldly,Kate Bush-style vocals bob and weave around the beat."[16]
Patrick Ryan ofUSA Today praised the song for being a "punchy, broody banger", and further described it as, "a confident, promising prelude to whatever elseAnti has in store."[18] Forrest Wickman ofSlate labelled it "a swaggering statement of purpose for post–Def Jam Rihanna."[21] Claire Lobenfeld ofFact wrote that the track "is a flag waving toward change," declaring that it "portends the subdued album that is about to come. And it's about damn time that Rihanna ditched enormous party-starters in favor of her blunted reality."[27] Brennan Carey ofSpin praised the artistry within the song, while Safy-Hallan Farah, of the same publication, noted that the song is "an appropriate introduction to anidiosyncratic album."[19] Emily Jupp ofThe Independent was positive, declaring: "Picture driving in a car, slowly, with the roof down, there's a haze of perfumed smoke in the air. The song sets out her agenda for the album; doing it her own way with surprising lyrics and introducing a relaxed stoner vibe."[28]
Sal Cinquemani ofSlant Magazine noted that the "heavy, distorted'90s-styleloop and guest vocal by neo-soul singer SZA, suggested that Rihanna is determined to 'grow.'"[26] Patricia Garcia ofVogue noted that the song "gives a mainstream introduction to the incredibly talented and underrated SZA, but it also may underscore Rihanna's intention to separate herself from her pop past."[29] Jessica McKinney ofVibe praised the pair, writing that, "the two compliment [sic] each other well as they exchange vocals about cutting ties," noting that the sound "stay[s] true to SZA'salt-soul background and Rih's affinity for hip-hop." McKinney also noticed that it "has a feel good nature that sets the pace for what the rest of the album will sound like."[14] Allan Raible ofABC News opined that "while authoritative and coldly sleek, [it] sets things off on a quirky, off-kilter foot."[30] Chris Gerard ofPopMatters had mixed feelings, describing "Consideration" as "a pedestrian mid-tempo groove with no real spark."[22]
After the release ofAnti, "Consideration" charted on theFrench Singles Chart at number sixty-three, and on theSwedish Singles Chart at number seventy-two.[31][32] Following the performance at the Brit Awards, the song charted on theUK Singles Chart at number eighty-eight, and on theUK R&B Chart at number eighteen.[33][34] On August 15, 2025, the song was certified Gold by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of 400,000.[35] Following the release of its dance remixes, "Consideration" debuted on theUS Dance Club Songs chart. The song peaked at number one, becoming Rihanna's thirty-third song to do so, extending her lead as the artist with the second-most number-ones on the chart behindMadonna (50). Rihanna also became the first act to achieve eight number-ones from a single album on the Dance Club Songs chart, breaking the record previously held byKaty Perry, who scored seven number-ones fromTeenage Dream between 2010 and 2012.[36]
During the2016 Brit Awards, Rihanna performed "Consideration" with SZA as an introduction to the full performance of "Work" on February 24, 2016.[37] This live performance was Rihanna's first appearance to promote the album.[38] "Consideration" was also included on herAnti World Tour set list (2016). Josh Duboff ofVanity Fair praised Rihanna's performances of both "Consideration" and "Needed Me", noting that they "came alive more in the live setting than they do on the album, perhaps due to Rihanna's evident passion in selling them."[39]
Recording
Personnel
|
|
Credits adapted from Rihanna's official website.[5]
| Chart (2016–2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| France (SNEP)[31] | 63 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[32] | 72 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[33] | 88 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[34] | 18 |
| USBubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[41] | 13 |
| USDance Club Songs (Billboard)[42] | 1 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[43] | 38 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[44] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[45] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[46] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[47] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[48] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide (Remixes)[40] | December 8, 2017 | Digital download |
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)SZA songs | |||
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| SOS | |||
| Lana |
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| Leaked songs |
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