rihannaWhen Ne-yo and Rihanna collaborate on tracks, the result is usually pretty spectacular.

Apparently, fans can expect nothing less with their new collaboration, “Russian Roulette.” The Barbadian beauty used the help of co-producer Chuck Harmony for the latest single on her upcoming Rated R album.

According to MTV News, Ne-yo explained that Rihanna specifically requested the song’s somber vibe. “She wanted it to be dark, but not just dark for the sake of dark [...] dark with a kind of meaning, dark with some kind of thing to it.”

The ominous Russian roulette theme is something new for the soulful singer. He called the track “my first ventures off into the fictitious.”

“I’m listening to the track, and all I can see is Rihanna and some random person sitting across from each other at the table with a gun sitting in the middle of the table and playing Russian roulette,” he explained. “And I just started thinking, ‘What would go through your mind if you was in that situation?’ It just all started coming together, and Rihanna has never been one to be afraid to take a chance, especially with me. She’s always game to do something a little different. I played it for her, and she loved it — went in and knocked it out. The rest is history.”

The unearthly ballad is representative of both artists growth in the industry, says Ne-yo. With a lack of newer material from both artists, “Russian Roulette” is a greatly anticipated track with new roots. “I trust Rihanna to be Rihanna, and she trusts me to be me,” he said. “That’s the coolest thing about our relationship. I don’t expect anything more from her. I must say this song is a step in somewhat of a different direction for both of us. We kind of both took a chance.”






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