In 2010, the music industry was in a weird, transitional spot. We were exiting the era of "super-producers" dominating everything and entering a decade where "vibe" started to matter more than just a catchy hook. Right in the middle of that shift, Rihanna dropped Loud. It was bright, it was red, and it was unapologetically pop. But the second single, What's My Name, did something different. It didn't just top the charts; it basically codified the "Aubrih" era, a decade-long saga of "are they or aren't they" that kept the internet fed for years.
Honestly, looking back, the song is almost a time capsule of peak 2010 energy. You've got the Stargate-produced island-pop beat, Rihanna’s red hair, and a version of Drake that was still a little bit hungry, a little bit "the new guy," and very much obsessed with being a "gentleman."
The Messy Backstory You Probably Forgot
Most people remember the video—Drake and Rihanna flirting in a Lower East Side bodega, spilling milk, looking genuinely happy. But the actual context of them getting together for this track was kinda messy.
Earlier that year, Drake had basically told The New York Times that he felt like a "pawn" in Rihanna's life. He claimed they were seeing each other, she’d show him quality time, and then she’d just... disappear. He actually used the word "terrible" to describe how it felt. So, when it was announced he was featuring on a track for her new album, everyone was a little confused. How do you go from being "used" to recording a dreamily romantic duet?
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Well, apparently, the music was just too good to ignore. Rihanna had heard the track, produced by the Norwegian duo Stargate, and felt it needed a certain melodic male energy. She reached out to Drake despite the drama. According to Tor Erik Hermansen of Stargate, Rihanna was the one chasing him down for the files so Drake could get his verse in. It was a professional move that turned into one of the most electric collaborations of the 21st century.
What's My Name: A Masterclass in Chemistry
Musically, the song is a mid-tempo masterpiece. It’s got that heavy reggae-lite drum pattern and those synth organs that make you feel like you’re at a late-summer block party. But the real "secret sauce" isn't the production—it’s the vocal interplay.
Rihanna’s delivery is incredibly playful. She’s not "singing for her life" like she might on a ballad; she’s flirting. When she drops that "Oh na na, what's my name?" hook, it's not just a question. It’s a challenge.
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Then you have Drake.
His opening verse is... well, it's quintessential early Drake. It’s got that famous (or infamous) line about the "square root of 69." For those who haven't done the math lately, the square root of 69 is about 8.3. He raps, "The square root of 69 is 8-something, right? / 'Cause I've been tryna work it out." It’s a corny joke, but it works because of the delivery. He sounds completely smitten. Critics at the time were split—some thought he was unnecessary, others thought his "vulnerability" was what made the song feel real.
Why the Song Topped the Charts (Twice)
The chart history of What's My Name is actually pretty rare. It hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 before the album's lead single, "Only Girl (In the World)," did. That almost never happens. It was Rihanna’s eighth #1 and, believe it or not, Drake’s very first.
Think about that for a second. Drake, the man who now breaks Billboard records every time he sneezes, got his first taste of the top spot because of a Rihanna feature.
The Cultural Ripple Effect
The song didn’t just live on the radio; it lived in the tabloids. Their performance at the 2011 Grammys is still talked about. Rihanna in that fringed outfit, Drake literally fanning himself because the chemistry was so intense—it was theater.
But beyond the gossip, the track pushed the "Island-pop" sound back into the mainstream. It paved the way for her later hits like "Work" and "Rude Boy" to feel like part of a cohesive sonic identity. It proved Rihanna could do "sweet and romantic" without losing her "bad girl" edge.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
There’s a common misconception that the song is just a "hook-up" anthem. If you look at the breakdown of the lyrics, it’s actually more about the power dynamic of a relationship. Rihanna is demanding recognition. She’s saying, "If you want this, you have to know who I am."
Drake’s part, conversely, is about his total dependence on her. He’s the one waiting for the text, he’s the one trying to "work it out." It flipped the traditional "rapper and pop star" script where the guy is usually the one in control. Here, Rihanna is clearly the one holding the cards.
Lessons from the Loud Era
If you're a creator or just a fan of pop history, there are a few things to take away from the success of What's My Name:
- Collaborate with Tension: The best duets often come from people with real-life history. That "spark" you hear in the recording? That was 100% real baggage being turned into art.
- Melody Over Complexity: The beat is simple. The hook is repetitive. But the melody is so strong that it becomes an earworm you can't get rid of.
- Authenticity Wins: Even though it’s a polished pop song, the video was shot on the streets with real people in the background. It felt grounded at a time when music videos were becoming overly CGI-heavy.
If you want to revisit this era, don't just put the song on a playlist. Watch the music video again. Pay attention to the way they look at each other in the grocery store scene. It’s a masterclass in star power. To really understand the "Aubrih" phenomenon, you have to start here. This wasn't just a hit song; it was the start of a decade-long conversation about two of the biggest stars on the planet.
Go back and listen to the transition between Drake’s verse and Rihanna’s first chorus. The way the beat drops out slightly to let her voice take over is a production trick that still works perfectly today. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best way to make a point is to just ask the question: "What's my name?"