Mastering the Dancehall Vibe
"Work" served as the lead single from Rihanna's 2016 album Anti. It marks a departure from her previous pop anthems, leaning heavily into her Caribbean roots with Dancehall and Reggae-pop influences. The track is repetitive by design, creating a hypnotic loop that demands vocal consistency.
To sing this well, you need to step away from "proper" diction. The magic of this song lies in the Patois articulation and the relaxed, almost mumbled delivery. If you sing it too clearly, it loses its soul.
AI Coach Tip: Loose Jaw
Many singers tighten their jaw to articulate the rapid lyrics in the verses. Our analysis shows this causes pitch to drift sharp. Keep your jaw loose and focus on the vowel sounds rather than crisp consonants.
Phase 1: The Hook (Repetition)
The chorus ("Work, work, work, work, work, work") is built on a C# minor pentatonic scale. The challenge isn't hitting the notes; it's the rhythmic subdivision. Rihanna sings slightly behind the beat, creating a laid-back feel.
The Trap: Running out of breath. Because the phrase repeats so quickly, you must take "sip breaths" (quick, silent inhalations) through your mouth between the repetitions to maintain energy.
Phase 2: The Articulation (The "Mumble")
During the verses, the lyrics blend English with Jamaican Patois. Words like "durr" instead of "dirt" or blending phrases together is intentional. You aren't just singing notes; you are acting out a dialect.
- Vowel Shaping: Flatten your vowels. Instead of a tall, operatic "Ah," use a wider, flatter shape to mimic Rihanna's bright, nasal timbre.
- Legato Flow: Connect every word to the next. There should be no gap in sound during the verses.
Phase 3: The Chest Voice Mix
Rihanna stays primarily in her chest voice and lower mix for this track. The highest significant notes hover around C#5, but they aren't belted with full force. They are sung with a "twangy" compression that cuts through the bass-heavy beat.
Keep your larynx neutral. If you push too hard, the song becomes aggressive rock, which kills the island vibe. Think "lazy but precise."
Frequently Asked Questions
The song is in C# Minor (C Sharp Minor). It has a very specific harmonic loop that stays consistent throughout the track.
Yes, the rhythmic density in the second verse is high. We recommend slowing the track down in the Singing Coach AI app to 75% speed to master the diction before speeding it up.
It is English heavily influenced by Jamaican Patois/Creole, which is why some words sound slurred or different from standard American English pronunciation.
