When Rihanna dropped "Diamonds" in 2012, she wasn't just releasing another radio hit. She was basically shifting the entire trajectory of her brand. Before this, we were used to the "Good Girl Gone Bad" or the dark, gritty vibes of Rated R. Then suddenly, we get this mid-tempo, sweeping ballad that feels like a massive exhale.
It’s been over a decade, but the track still feels fresh. Honestly, if you turn on the radio right now, there's a 50% chance you'll hear that "shine bright like a diamond" hook. It’s unavoidable. But the way it came together is actually wild, involving a cab ride, a weirdly accurate vocal impression, and a song that almost went to Eminem.
The 14-Minute Miracle
Most people think hits like Rihanna Diamonds take months of painstaking studio sessions. Nope.
Sia Furler, the powerhouse behind the lyrics, wrote the whole thing in 14 minutes. She was literally waiting for a taxi. Producers Benny Blanco and Stargate had the track ready, and Sia just did her thing. She didn't even intend to give it to Rihanna at first. There was actually a moment where they considered Kanye West or Eminem for the beat. Eminem even recorded a verse for it later on, but it never saw the light of day because Rihanna’s version was just... untouchable.
When Rihanna finally got the demo, she did something kind of bizarre. She didn't just sing the song; she mimicked Sia's specific vocal inflections perfectly. If you listen to Sia’s original demo (which is floating around the internet), it’s eerie. Rihanna captured that weird, beautiful "nasal" pronunciation that Sia is famous for. Benny Blanco actually said he thought they were being pranked when he first heard Rihanna’s vocal because it was so spot-on to the demo.
Breaking the "Toxic" Cycle
For years, Rihanna’s music was synonymous with "disturbia" or heartbreak. "Diamonds" changed that. It was the lead single for her seventh album, Unapologetic, and it felt genuinely happy.
- It was her 12th Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The lyrics moved away from the "unhealthy relationship" themes of her past.
- It solidified her as a "Diamond" artist—a status she’s since taken literally with her RIAA certifications.
That Super Bowl Moment
Fast forward to 2023. Rihanna hasn't performed live in what feels like a century. She steps onto a floating platform at the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, dressed in head-to-toe red, and she ends the entire set with—you guessed it—Rihanna Diamonds.
It was the perfect full-circle moment. As she was raised high above the field at State Farm Stadium, she looked down at the crowd, rubbed her baby bump (revealing her second pregnancy to the world), and sang about being "beautiful like diamonds in the sky." It wasn't just a song anymore; it was a victory lap. The performance drew over 121 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched halftime shows in history.
Why the Song is Literally "Diamond" Now
In the music industry, "Diamond" isn't just a metaphor. It’s a certification from the RIAA for selling 10 million units. In 2024, Rihanna broke the record for the most Diamond-certified singles by a female artist.
"Diamonds" was obviously one of them.
Think about that for a second. To get one Diamond single is a career peak for most. She has several. It’s a testament to the fact that her music doesn't just "chart"—it lingers. People are still buying and streaming this song years after she stopped releasing new albums to focus on her Fenty empire.
The Music Video and the "No Story" Rule
If you’ve ever watched the music video and thought, "I have no idea what’s happening," don't worry. You're not supposed to.
Directed by Anthony Mandler, the visuals are a series of vignettes. You see horses running, a riot in the background, Rihanna’s hands intertwined with a tattooed arm (which many assumed was Chris Brown’s), and her floating in the middle of the ocean.
Rihanna herself told MTV that they weren't going for a cohesive story. They wanted to capture "emotions." It was about the feeling of being in a chaotic world but finding that one person—or that one feeling—that makes you feel invincible. It’s abstract. It’s messy. It’s very Rihanna.
How to Actually "Shine" Like the Song
If you're a creator or just a fan looking to tap into that energy, here is the takeaway from the "Diamonds" era:
- Speed doesn't equate to quality. Sia wrote this in less time than it takes to order a pizza. Trust your gut.
- Lean into the "weird." Rihanna kept Sia's odd vocal quirks, and that’s exactly what made the song stand out from every other pop track in 2012.
- Vibe over Narrative. Sometimes you don't need a 10-page explanation. If the "vibe" is right, people will feel it.
If you want to dive deeper into the technical side of the track, go back and listen to the stems. The way the synthesizers swell during the chorus isn't just luck; it's the work of Stargate and Benny Blanco at the absolute top of their game. You can find the Sia demo on YouTube to see exactly how much Rihanna took from the original performance. It’s a masterclass in how to interpret a songwriter's vision while still making it your own.
Actionable Insight: Go listen to the original Sia demo of "Diamonds" and then play the Rihanna version immediately after. Pay attention to the way Rihanna pronounces words like "sky" and "die." It’s the ultimate lesson in how to study a mentor's work to create a masterpiece.