Work (Rihanna song)

Following the release of Rihanna's seventh studio album, Unapologetic, and its accompanying tour, Rihanna took a step back from music.{{cite web|title=NME interview|url=https://www.nme.com/features/rihanna-exclusive-interview-i-break-the-rules-even-when-i-dont-intend-to|website=NME|date=September 18, 2015|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-date=October 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008074040/http://www.nme.com/features/rihanna-exclusive-interview-i-break-the-rules-even-when-i-dont-intend-to|url-status=live}} "I wanted to have a year to just do whatever I want artistically, creatively," the singer said. She then went on to state that this hiatus lasted only a week before she ultimately returned to the studio. Following the release of three singles in 2015—"FourFiveSeconds" (with Kanye West and Paul McCartney), "Bitch Better Have My Money" and "American Oxygen"—Billboard announced that Rihanna was set to premiere a new single on January 27, 2016, at 8 am EST.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/27/rihanna-work-drake|title=Rihanna drops 'Work,' featuring Drake amid Anti release rumors|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Goodman|first=Jessica|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016}} The same day, "Work" premiered on several radio stations worldwide, including BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, it was made available for digital download in most countries, worldwide, via the iTunes Store, and was added for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/27/10840012/rihanna-drake-work-anti-new-single-listen|title=Listen to Rihanna and Drake's new single 'Work'|work=The Verge|last=Cox|first=Jamieson|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127141826/http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/27/10840012/rihanna-drake-work-anti-new-single-listen|url-status=live}}

"Work" was written by PartyNextDoor, Drake, Rihanna, Monte Moir, Rupert "Sevn" Thomas, Allen Ritter and Matthew Samuels, and was produced by Boi-1da, Sevn Thomas, Ritter, Kuk Harrell and Noah "40" Shebib.{{cite web|url=http://uk.complex.com/music/2016/01/rihanna-drake-work-song-credits|title=Here's Everyone Listed in the Song Credits for Rihanna and Drake's 'Work'|work=Complex|last=Ortiz|first=Edwin|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|location=United Kingdom|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324110747/http://uk.complex.com/music/2016/01/rihanna-drake-work-song-credits|url-status=live}} In the summer of 2015, Thomas, Ritter, Boi-1da, and Martin Mason, among others, stayed at Drake's house in Los Angeles for a mid-week period. Thomas described the time spent at the home as a "beat factory, everyone was sitting there working and collaborating with each other."{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/producer-sevn-thomas-details-the-process-of-making-rihanna-and-drakes-new-single-work?sr_share=facebook|title=How a Studio Session at Drake's House in Los Angeles Turned Into Rihanna's Next Big Hit|work=Complex|last=Frydenlund|first=Zach|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=September 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041539/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/producer-sevn-thomas-details-the-process-of-making-rihanna-and-drakes-new-single-work?sr_share=facebook|url-status=live}}

Thomas created a beat which was dancehall-influenced; he later played it for Boi-1da to which he positively responded, "We're both Jamaican-Canadian. It was just something in our DNA, so it woke him up, and we started remembering all these old dancehall songs from the '90s." Boi-1da came with up idea for sampling an "old school dancehall rhythm" and after that the chords were made with Ritter and past it, "everything went organically". The most recognizable sampling found in the "Work" riddim is from the 1998 riddim "Sail Away" which was produced by Richie Stephens and Mikey 2000, interpolating Alexander O'Neal's "If You Were Here Tonight".{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/stephens-to-sail-away-with-ascap-award_96121|title=Stephens to sail away with ASCAP Award|work=Jamaica Observer|date=April 19, 2017|first=Simone|last=Morgan-Lindo|access-date=February 2, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207025903/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/stephens-to-sail-away-with-ascap-award_96121|url-status=live}}

When the song's music was finished, Boi-1da sent it to PartyNextDoor who wrote the lyrics. "He’s an incredible writer, and he's Jamaican as well. I think so that's how he's able to come up with those vibes and feels," noted Thomas. PartyNextDoor originally wrote the record as a breakup song;{{Cite web|url = https://www.mtv.com/news/2920107/partynextdoor-rihanna-drake-work-breakup-song/|title = PartyNextDoor Actually Wrote Rihanna and Drake's 'Work' as a Breakup Song|website = MTV|access-date = March 3, 2022|archive-date = March 3, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303215850/https://www.mtv.com/news/2920107/partynextdoor-rihanna-drake-work-breakup-song/|url-status = dead}} after Drake heard the song and loved it, he decided to write and record a verse, as well . The original reference track contained Braithwaite's vocals and a tweaked verse from Drake. It leaked as a snippet in February 2016,{{Cite web|url = https://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/partynextdoor-rihanna-reference-track-work|title = Is This PARTYNEXTDOOR's Reference Track for Rihanna's "Work?" (UPDATE)|website = Complex Networks|access-date = March 3, 2022|archive-date = March 3, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303215851/https://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/partynextdoor-rihanna-reference-track-work|url-status = live}} but the full version was released online in April of that year.{{Cite web|url = https://www.mtv.com/news/2874082/partynextdoor-drake-rihanna-work-reference-track/|title = Here's the Original Version of Rihanna and Drake's 'Work,' Sung by Partynextdoor|website = MTV|access-date = March 3, 2022|archive-date = March 3, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303215850/https://www.mtv.com/news/2874082/partynextdoor-drake-rihanna-work-reference-track/|url-status = dead}} Initially, the intention was to keep the song as a collaboration between the two, or to give to Alicia Keys.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/arts/music/partynextdoor-drake-rihanna-interview.html?_r=4|title=PartyNextDoor is Finding His Voice, and a Bigger Spotlight|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 16, 2016|last1=Coscarelli|first1=Joe|access-date=March 3, 2022|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303215850/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/arts/music/partynextdoor-drake-rihanna-interview.html?_r=4|url-status=live}} Shortly thereafter, Braithwaite stayed at Rihanna's home in Malibu, where he played her the song, saying afterwards "it was all that she could sing around the house" and it was her "family's favourite song".

Rihanna's vocals were recorded by Marcos Tovar and Kuk Harrell at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles; the latter also served as a vocal producer. Drake's vocals were recorded by Noel Cadastre and Noah "40" Shebib at the Sandra Gale Studios in California and the SOTA Studios in Toronto. The vocal recording was assisted by Thomas Warren, while additional vocals were provided by PartyNextDoor. Manny Marroquin mixed "Work" at the Larrabee Studios, while Noel "Gadget" Campbell and Shebib did the mixing at the Studio 360 and SOTA Studios in Toronto. The mastering was done by Chris Gehringer at the Sterling Sound in New York City. "Work" marked the third collaboration between Rihanna and Drake, following "What's My Name?" in 2010 and "Take Care" in 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/62844-rihanna-and-drake-team-for-work/|title=Rihanna and Drake Team for 'Work'|work=Pitchfork Media|last=Camp|first=Zoe|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128023906/http://pitchfork.com/news/62844-rihanna-and-drake-team-for-work/|url-status=live}}

{{clear}}

"Work" is a dancehall,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21540-anti/|title=Rihanna: Anti {{!}} Album Reviews|work=Pitchfork Media|last=Petrusich|first=Amanda|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202091817/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21540-anti/|url-status=live}} reggae-pop{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2016/01/rihanna-work-featuring-drake-bbc-radio|title=Rihanna's 'Work' Featuring Drake Debuts on BBC Radio|publisher=Fuse|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|quote="Work" is a straightforward, fairly minimal reggae-pop track|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204043448/http://www.fuse.tv/2016/01/rihanna-work-featuring-drake-bbc-radio|url-status=live}} and R&B{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalxtra.com/new-music/best-2016/rnb-songs/#oZ97PlE0APv4OAbg.97|title=The Best R&B Songs of 2016 So Far|publisher=Capital Xtra|date=November 4, 2016|access-date=December 14, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220124840/http://www.capitalxtra.com/new-music/best-2016/rnb-songs/#oZ97PlE0APv4OAbg.97|url-status=live}} song, with a length of three minutes and thirty-nine seconds. Hugh McIntyre of Forbes described the song as "quite" urban and mixes hip hop influences with "island vibes".{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2016/01/27/rihanna-drops-new-drake-assisted-single-work/|title=Rihanna Drops New Drake-Assisted Single 'Work'|work=Forbes|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=June 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620185231/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2016/01/27/rihanna-drops-new-drake-assisted-single-work/|url-status=live}} Zach Frydenlund of Complex wrote that the song "is slower and very rhythmic with Rihanna showing off her vocal skills over the crafty production."{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/rihanna-new-song-feat-drake-work|title=Rihanna and Drake Connect on New Song 'Work'|work=Complex|last=Frydenlund|first=Zach|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129172310/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/rihanna-new-song-feat-drake-work|url-status=live}} The song is written in the key of G{{Sharp}} minor (in the C{{Sharp}} Dorian mode) in common time with a tempo of 92 beats per minute. The vocals in the song span from F{{Sharp}}₃ to E{{Flat}}₅.{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0161248|title=Work|last=Fenty|first=Robyn|website=www.musicnotes.com|date=March 2, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016|archive-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309120554/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0161248|url-status=live}} Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine called it "an understated midtempo jam in the vein of Janet Jackson's recent 'No Sleeep', with a percolating beat, sinuous synth lines, and vocal samples stretched and pulled in a way that recalls Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's masterful production work on Janet's 1997 album The Velvet Rope."{{cite web|last1=camp|first1=Alexa|title=Single Review: Rihanna featuring Drake, "Work"|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/house/article/single-review-rihanna-featuring-drake-work|website=Slant Magazine|access-date=January 27, 2016|date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129001826/http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/article/single-review-rihanna-featuring-drake-work|url-status=live}} The Guardian{{'s}} Harriet Gibsone wrote: "The glossy, modernist 'Work' skewers elements of dub and dancehall: her voice is at times Auto-Tuned, and a distant sample of what sounds a little like Grace Jones's "My Jamaican Guy" haunts its empty spaces."{{cite web|last1=Gibsone|first1=Harriet|title=Listen to Rihanna's Work, featuring Drake: first track from new album Anti|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/27/rihanna-work-first-track-anti-featuring-drake|website=The Guardian|access-date=January 27, 2016|date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127152532/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/27/rihanna-work-first-track-anti-featuring-drake|url-status=live}}

Rolling Stone{{'s}} Daniel Kreps wrote the song contains "a tropical house vibe".{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=Hear Rihanna, Drake's Tropical House-Flavored 'Work'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-rihanna-drakes-tropical-house-flavored-work-20160127|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 27, 2016|date=January 27, 2016}} In contrary, Taj Ran from Billboard wrote the song "isn't part of a new genre that many in the mainstream media are calling 'tropical house.' Anti{{'s}} lead single is undeniably drenched in dancehall, a genre with deep roots in Jamaica's club scene that spun off from reggae in the 1970s."{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6889497/rihanna-work-dancehall-essay | title=How Rihanna's 'Work' Made Dancehall Reign in Pop (Again) | magazine=Billboard | access-date=March 2, 2016 | author=Rani, Taj| date=March 2, 2016 }} According to The Atlantic{{'}}s Spencer Kornhaber, the single has "strangely unfinished quality" that features its verses, choruses and bridge fade into themselves, "forgoing soft-to-loud explosions or exciting rhythmic changes". He also noted that, Boi-1da also tries to create "escalation" in the song by adding additional drums for the second chorus, flutes, autotuned harmonies and back-off piano. The New York Times{{'}} Jon Caramanica noted Rihanna at times "barely even relies on words, truncating her syllables past patois to something far less exact."{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/arts/music/review-rihanna-blissfully-adrift-juggles-styles-on-anti.html | title=Review: Rihanna, Blissfully Adrift, Juggles Styles on 'Anti' | work=The New York Times | date=January 28, 2016 | access-date=January 28, 2016 | author=Caramanica, Jon | archive-date=January 29, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129064236/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/arts/music/review-rihanna-blissfully-adrift-juggles-styles-on-anti.html | url-status=live }} Lyrically, "Work" is "about working for a paycheck no matter what else is going on in your life."{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/01/work-work-work-work-work-rihanna-drake-single-review-anti/431532/|title=How Rihanna's 'Work' Works|work=The Atlantic|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128090027/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/01/work-work-work-work-work-rihanna-drake-single-review-anti/431532/|url-status=live}} Additionally, it focuses on "a fragile relationship" that can be seen in the lines, "If I get another chance to, I would never, oh never, neglect you," which Rihanna sings.

"Work" has received mixed reviews from critics. Editor Joe Lynch wrote that the track finds Rihanna "reteaming with frequent collaborator/ex Drake, but that's the only predictable thing about this song—while it's hardly a 180-degree turn for Rih, its minimal production subverts expectations of what you'd expect a major pop star to release when they're gearing up to drop their long-delayed new album."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6858259/drake-rihanna-work|title=Rihanna & Drake Reteam for 'Work'|magazine=Billboard|date=January 27, 2016|last=Lynch|first=Joe|access-date=January 27, 2016}} Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine wrote: "the new track has the potential to at least partly justify the gold crown on the album's cover." BET's Kathy Iandoli called the song "comfortable, but still good."{{cite web|last1=Iandoli|first1=Kathy|title=Rihanna And Drake Give Us Some 'Work' off ANTI|url=https://www.bet.com/article/ro3nda/rihanna-and-drake-give-us-some-work-off-anti|website=BET|access-date=January 29, 2016|date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306085340/http://www.bet.com/news/music/2016/01/27/rihanna-and-drake-give-us-some--work--off--anti-.html|url-status=live}} Spin's Brennan Carley thought Rihanna made the "lackadaisical song gel."{{cite web | url=http://www.spin.com/2016/01/rihanna-drake-work-anti-lead-single-tidal/ | title=Rihanna Just Dropped the Lead 'Anti' Single, 'Work,' Featuring Drake | work=Spin | date=January 27, 2016 | access-date=January 27, 2016 | archive-date=February 22, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222015515/http://www.spin.com/2016/01/rihanna-drake-work-anti-lead-single-tidal/ | url-status=live }} Other critics were more skeptical. Hugh McIntyre of Forbes wrote "It's a well-produced song, but is it the pop hit that she needed?" Idolator's Robbie Daw's review was mixed, writing "Musically, the track is a charming, if also somewhat sparse, affair that feels like it blew in on a tropical, warm June wind and nestled up beside our ears."{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7621415/rihannas-work-featuring-drake-listen-anti|title=Rihanna's 'ANTI' Single 'Work' Feat. Drake Isn't The Banger We Were Hoping For: Listen|publisher=Idolator|last=Daw|first=Robbie|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=September 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914084509/https://www.idolator.com/7621415/rihannas-work-featuring-drake-listen-anti|url-status=live}}

Robin Reiff of The A.V. Club wrote: "the sheer repetition of the hook creates a built-in expiration date for when this song transitions from catchy to mildly annoying."{{cite web|last1=Reiff|first1=Corbin|title=Rihanna shifts moods in the highly anticipated Anti|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/rihanna-shifts-moods-highly-anticipated-anti-231427|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=January 29, 2016|date=January 29, 2016|archive-date=January 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131123750/http://www.avclub.com/review/rihanna-shifts-moods-highly-anticipated-anti-231427|url-status=live}}

Taj Rani of Billboard stated "Work" has brought the genre of dancehall to the forefront of American music (again), as it became the first dancehall song to top the Billboard Hot 100 since Sean Paul's "Temperature" in 2006. She opined that the song is a prime example of "an unapologetic black woman proudly showing her heritage at a time when our politics are dominated by #BlackLivesMatter and Donald Trump's racist, xenophobic and misogynistic tirades." Rani continued to state that although mainstream critics are "uncomfortable" with Rihanna's use of patois (describing it as "gibberish"), she was able to display West Indian culture, front-and-center, without appropriation from mainstream culture.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6889497/rihanna-work-dancehall-essay|title=How Rihanna's 'Work' Made Dancehall Reign in Pop (Again)|magazine=Billboard|last=Rani|first=Taj|date=March 3, 2016|access-date=March 3, 2016}}

Rolling Stone named "Work" as one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016: "What would even you call a minimalist banger? One of America's most reliable singles artists created an arch, moody album instead of a handful of chart-ready pop confections, but we still couldn't resist this barely-there tune with a beat like a dancehall wisp and lyrics like a freestyle."{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/30-best-songs-of-2016-so-far-20160622|title=30 Best Songs of 2016 So Far|first=Christopher R.|last=Weingarten|publisher=Billboard|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-date=November 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121143859/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/30-best-songs-of-2016-so-far-20160622|url-status=live}} The Guardian named it "best track of 2016", writing that "Work was off-kilter, lacked a big chorus and weaved in a dubious 80s ballad. It also clicked perfectly, a song that captured two era-defining artists and one all the more infectious for its rule-defying restraint."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/dec/19/best-track-of-2016-work-by-rihanna|title=Best track of 2016|first=Alexis|last=Petridis|work=The Guardian|date=December 19, 2016|access-date=January 29, 2017|archive-date=January 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130034035/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/dec/19/best-track-of-2016-work-by-rihanna|url-status=live}} The British magazine NME named "Work" the best song of 2016 in their year-end critics' poll.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/list/nme-best-songs-2016-1871049|title=NME's Songs Of The Year 2016|publisher=NME|access-date=November 26, 2016|date=November 26, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116181152/https://www.nme.com/list/nme-best-songs-2016-1871049|url-status=live}} NPR and Consequence of Sound both placed the song at number fifteen on their respective year-end lists.{{cite web |url=http://apps.npr.org/best-music-2016/list/top-songs/ |title=Top 100 Songs of 2016 |publisher=NPR |date=December 6, 2006 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519223640/https://apps.npr.org/best-music-2016/list/top-songs/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/12/top-50-songs-of-2016/5/ |title=Top 50 Songs of 2016 |publisher=Consequence of Sound |date=December 4, 2006 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=December 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207094911/http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/12/top-50-songs-of-2016/5/ |url-status=live }} For Pitchfork, it was the seventh best song of the year.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9981-the-100-best-songs-of-2016/?page=10|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2016|publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=December 12, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027175411/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9981-the-100-best-songs-of-2016/?page=10|url-status=live}} Billboard ranked "Work" at number 25 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list, noting "Its hypnotic chorus burrowing its way into the year's subconscious."{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2016/7617635/billboard-top-100-pop-songs-of-2016|title=Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks|publisher=Billboard|access-date=December 12, 2016|date=December 12, 2016|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213090422/http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2016/7617635/billboard-top-100-pop-songs-of-2016|url-status=live}} In the annual Village Voice{{'}}s "Pazz & Jop" mass critics' poll (of the year's best in music) for 2016, "Work" was tied at number 9 with David Bowie's "Blackstar".{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2016|title=PAZZ+JOP 2016|publisher=Village Voice|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=January 28, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126060350/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2016|url-status=live}} The song was additionally ranked among 2010s-decade-end lists by NME,{{Cite web |date=2019-12-04 |title=The Best Songs Of The Decade: The 2010s |url=https://www.nme.com/features/nmes-greatest-songs-of-the-decade-the-2010s-2583527 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=NME}} Consequence of Sound,{{Cite web |date=2019-12-30 |title=Top 100 Songs of the 2010s |url=https://consequence.net/2019/12/top-100-songs-of-the-2010s/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Consequence of Sound}} Slant Magazine,{{Cite web |date=2020-01-01 |title=The 100 Best Singles of the 2010s |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/the-100-best-singles-of-the-2010s/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Slant Magazine}} and Pitchfork.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-07 |title=The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Pitchfork}}

"Work" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Record of the Year at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite magazine|title=Here Is the Complete List of Nominees for the 2017 Grammys|magazine=Billboard|date=December 6, 2016|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7597556/grammys-nominees-complete-list-2017|access-date=6 December 2016}} "Work" was nominated for, and won, the categories of "R&B Song of the Year" and "Best Collaboration" at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards.{{Cite news|url=http://news.iheart.com/features/iheartradio-music-awards-15/articles/15/490103/heres-the-complete-list-of-iheartradio-15616268/|title=Here's The Complete List Of #iHeartAwards Winners {{!}} iHeartRadio Music Awards {{!}} iHeartRadio|work=iHeartRadio|access-date=2017-07-18|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306212021/http://news.iheart.com/features/iheartradio-music-awards-15/articles/15/490103/heres-the-complete-list-of-iheartradio-15616268/|archive-date=March 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}

"Work" debuted at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart issue dated February 13, 2016. It became the 27th top-ten hit for Rihanna and 15th for Drake. With this feat, Rihanna tied Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Elton John as the artists with the fifth-most top-ten songs on the chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6859557/rihanna-anti-work-billboard-charts|title=Rihanna's 'Anti' & 'Work' Blast Onto Billboard Charts|magazine=Billboard|last1=Caulfield|first1=Keith|last2=Trust|first2=Gary|date=February 1, 2016|access-date= February 2, 2016}} The singer scored 27 top-ten singles on the Hot 100 in a span of 10 years and eight months between her first single, "Pon de Replay" and "Work", and became the fastest solo artist to reach the plateau.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6865869/rihanna-ties-mariah-janet-elton-hot-100-top-10s|title=Rihanna Ties Mariah, Janet & Elton for Fifth-Most Hot 100 Top 10s|magazine=Billboard|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=February 2, 2016|access-date=February 2, 2016}} It also became Rihanna's 50th song to chart on the Hot 100.{{Cite magazine |last=Brown |first=Eric Renner |date=1 February 2016 |title=Rihanna's 'Work' debuts in Top 10 of Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/02/01/rihanna-work-top-10-billboard-hot-100/ |access-date=22 April 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} "Work" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Digital Songs chart with over 126,000 downloads sold in only just over a day of tracking. Additionally, "Work" launched at number 27 on the US Billboard Radio Songs chart with 44 million audience impressions, becoming the highest debut of her career.

The following week, "Work" sold an additional 156,000 copies and moved up to number seven on the Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6867374/zayn-pillowtalk-debuts-no-1-hot-100|title=Zayn's 'Pillowtalk' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=February 8, 2016|access-date=February 9, 2016}} In its third week, "Work" jumped 7–4 on the Hot 100 chart, earning Rihanna her milestone 20th top-five hit, tying her with Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder as the artists with the fifth-most top-five songs on the chart{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6875473/justin-bieber-no-1-hot-100-love-yourself|title=Justin Bieber Retakes No. 1 Spot From Zayn on Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=February 16, 2016|access-date=February 16, 2016}} In its fourth week, "Work" reached the summit of the Hot 100 chart and became Rihanna's fourteenth number-one song in the United States. Subsequently, she became the artist with the fourth-most number-one songs on the chart following The Beatles with 20, Mariah Carey with 19 and Elvis Presley with 18 chart toppers. She broke a tie with Michael Jackson, who had reached 13 chart-toppers on the Billboard Hot 100 in his lifetime. Additionally, "Work" became Drake's second number-one single on the chart, the previous being the pair's 2010 collaboration, "What's My Name?". For the same issue, it rose to number 10 on the Radio Songs chart and became her 24th top-ten single, surpassing Mariah Carey's lead of 23 top-tens on that chart. The song remained at number-one on the Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks and was unseated by Desiigner's "Panda".{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/04/desiigner-panda-number-one-billboard-hot-chart/|title=Desiigner's|date=April 25, 2016|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629222739/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/04/desiigner-panda-number-one-billboard-hot-chart/|url-status=live}}

The song was most successful on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs where it debuted atop the chart, becoming Rihanna's fifth chart-topper and Drake's fourteenth. As of January 2021, "Work" has accumulated over 1.4 billion streams and 1,906,000 downloads in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9517469/rihanna-anti-most-streamed-songs|title=Rihanna's Anti: Which Tracks Have Been Streamed and Sold the Most?|first=Andrew|last=Unterberger|date=28 January 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=30 September 2021}}

In France, "Work" peaked at number one on the chart for two weeks, becoming Rihanna's sixth number-one in the country, the second-highest amount of all time. The single also broke the record for the most streams in a single week, with 2.056 million streams.{{cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-101120.html|title=Double record for Rihanna, Christophe Mae back in the top 5|work=Pure Charts by Charts in France|last=Charles|first=Decant|date=February 29, 2016|access-date=March 1, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609170245/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-101120.html|url-status=live}} By January 2021, the single had sold an estimated 32.5 million units worldwide.{{Cite magazine |author=Gil Kaufman |date=January 29, 2021 |title=Rihanna Wishes Herself a 'Happy #ANTIversary' With Throwback Pics |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9518130/rihanna-happy-antiversary-pics-video/ |access-date=2021-06-21 |magazine=Billboard |language=en}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| image1 = LittleXFeb07.jpg

| width1 = 155

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = The Real Jerk, on Gerrard, serves a kind of Jamaican BBQ.jpg

| width2 = 257

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| footer = Director X (left) directed the first of the song's two accompanying videos which was filmed in The Real Jerk restaurant (right)

}}

Two music videos were released for the single; the first was directed by Director X who had previously worked with Rihanna on her debut video "Pon de Replay"{{cite web|title=Get a First Look at Rihanna and Drake's 'Work' Video|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/02/06/rihanna-drake-work-video-preview/|work=Rap-Up|access-date=February 6, 2016|date=February 7, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609081427/http://www.rap-up.com/2016/02/06/rihanna-drake-work-video-preview/|url-status=live}} while the second was directed by Tim Erem.{{cite web|last1=Bradley|first1=Laura|title=Watch Rihanna and Drake Dance It Out in Back-to-Back Videos for "Work"|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/22/rihanna_and_drake_s_work_got_two_back_to_back_music_videos.html|website=Slate|access-date=February 22, 2016|date=February 22, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404065258/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/22/rihanna_and_drake_s_work_got_two_back_to_back_music_videos.html|url-status=live}} Harv Glazer and Melissa Larsen served as a producer of the visual, while Daniel Bouquet and Alexi Zabes were the director of photography. Laura McMillan and Nick Rondeau were the editors of the video, while Nick Cortes served as the production coordinator. Missy Galanida, Isaac Rice and Taj Critchlow, served as the videos executive producers while Dave Hussey of Company 3 was the colorist.{{cite web|url=http://www.videostatic.com/watch-it/2016/02/22/rihanna-work-director-x-tim-erem-dir|title=WATCH IT: Rihanna f/ Drake "Work" (Director X, Tim Erem, dir.)|website=VideoStatic|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006151647/http://www.videostatic.com/watch-it/2016/02/22/rihanna-work-director-x-tim-erem-dir|url-status=live}}

Rihanna later announced its premiere date to be February 22, 2016 via her Twitter account, while also releasing a videoclip via YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1UzIK-flA|title=Rihanna - Work (Explicit) ft. Drake|date=February 22, 2016 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=February 22, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204222512/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1UzIK-flA&app=desktop|url-status=live}}

Filming of the first accompanying music video took place at the Real Jerk restaurant in Toronto on February 5.{{cite web|title=Drake, Rihanna spotted in Toronto shooting new video|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/drake-new-video-toronto-1.3436004|publisher=CBC News|access-date=February 7, 2016|date=February 6, 2016|archive-date=September 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920143002/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/drake-new-video-toronto-1.3436004|url-status=live}}

Director X stated that when filming the video they wanted to make it look like they were in a West Indian neighborhood, in a West Indian restaurant.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6882954/director-x-rihanna-drake-work-video-interview-west-indian-culture|title=Director X Talks Creating Rihanna's 'Work' Video and Putting West Indian Culture on Full Display|magazine=Billboard|date=February 23, 2016}}

The second video for the single directed by Tim Erem was discussed between the director, Rihanna and Drake in the studio at 4 a.m., where they were attempting to come up with ideas to add a tropical vibe to their already existing footage. After thirty minutes they came up with the idea of shooting a video in a whole pink room.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6889358/director-tim-erem-rihanna-work-video-drake-dj-khaled-interview|title=Rihanna & Drake's 'Work' Video: Director Discusses Original Treatment & DJ Khaled Snapping on Set|magazine=Billboard|date=February 24, 2016}}

The first video opens with a shot of "The Real Jerk" carpark, in which Rihanna and Drake enter separately. The shot switches to Rihanna dancing in the nightclub, in front of a mirror. Drake enters the scene in which he raps. The video ends with credits written in a red, green and yellow typeface. The second video is shot in one piece, as it shows Rihanna and Drake in a room full of neon pink lights and styled with sofas and house plants aesthetics.

Hazel Cills of MTV noted Rihanna's and Drake's chemistry as "playful and confrontational", which was "ultimately made for the viewer's pleasure". Cills continued to state that the second video "luxuriates in our voyeurism."{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2748235/video-voyeurism-rihanna-ciara-and-madonna-dance-4-u/|title=Video Voyeurism: Rihanna, Ciara, And Madonna Dance 4 U|website=MTV|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923013834/http://www.mtv.com/news/2748235/video-voyeurism-rihanna-ciara-and-madonna-dance-4-u/|url-status=dead}} Christopher Hooton from The Independent also picked upon the videos sense of voyeurism and compared the second video to Drake's previous single "Hotline Bling" and Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda".{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rihanna-and-drake-drop-two-work-music-videos-separated-by-a-buffering-bar-a6891056.html|title=Rihanna and Drake drop two 'Work' music videos separated by a buffering bar|website=Independent.co.uk|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825205207/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rihanna-and-drake-drop-two-work-music-videos-separated-by-a-buffering-bar-a6891056.html|url-status=live}}

Popsugar called the songs accompanying videos "relatively simple," but stated they were an "instant classics", while RollingStone noted the videos as being "steamy".{{cite web|url=http://www.popsugar.co.uk/celebrity/Rihanna-Work-Video-40290586|title=Rihanna and Drake Turn the Heat Way Up in the 2-Part Video For "Work"|first=Maggie|last=Panos|website=POPSUGAR Celebrity UK|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923022249/http://www.popsugar.co.uk/celebrity/Rihanna-Work-Video-40290586|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-rihanna-drake-go-to-work-in-steamy-video-20160222|title=Watch Rihanna, Drake Go to 'Work' in New Steamy Video |first=Brittany|last=Spanos |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 22, 2016}}

"Work" was nominated for the "Video of the Year" award as the 2016 BET Awards, as well as being nominated for the "Best Female Video" award as the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite web|title=2016 BET Awards Nominations|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/05/20/bet-awards-2016-nominations/|work=Rap-Up.com|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923004510/http://www.rap-up.com/2016/05/20/bet-awards-2016-nominations/|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2910480/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2016-vmas/ | title=Rihanna Is Your 2016 Vanguard | work=MTV News | date=August 11, 2016 | access-date=August 11, 2016 | archive-date=July 9, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709040142/http://www.mtv.com/news/2910480/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2016-vmas/ | url-status=dead }} Time Magazine listed the video at number eight on their Top 10 Pop Music Videos of 2016,{{cite web |url=http://time.com/4568524/top-10-pop-music-videos-2016/ |title=Top 10 Pop Music Videos of 2016 |publisher=Time Magazine |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128143050/http://time.com/4568524/top-10-pop-music-videos-2016/ |url-status=live }} while Pitchfork Media placed it at number twenty-five on their list of The Best Music Videos of 2016.{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9979-the-best-music-videos-of-2016/ |title=The Best Music Videos of 2016 |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129002847/http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9979-the-best-music-videos-of-2016/ |url-status=live }} As of June 2018, the video has received over 1.0 billion views on YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1UzIK-flA|title=Rihanna - Work (Explicit) ft. Drake|date=February 22, 2016 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204222512/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1UzIK-flA&app=desktop|url-status=live}}

Rihanna performed "Consideration" (with SZA) and "Work" (with Drake, vocals only) live, for the first time, at the 2016 Brit Awards on February 24, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/brit-awards-2016-drake-join-rihanna-first-live-performance-work-londons-o2-arena-1545733|title=Brit Awards 2016: Drake to join Rihanna for first live performance of Work at London's O2 Arena?|work=International Business Times|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009151118/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/brit-awards-2016-drake-join-rihanna-first-live-performance-work-londons-o2-arena-1545733|url-status=live}} It was Rihanna's first televised promotional appearance for the album.{{cite news|last1=Augustin|first1=Camille|title=SZA & Drake Join Rihanna For A Performance At The 2016 Brit Awards|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/02/rihanna-brit-awards-2016-performance-drake/|access-date=July 25, 2016|work=Vibe|date=February 24, 2016|archive-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601182342/http://www.vibe.com/2016/02/rihanna-brit-awards-2016-performance-drake/|url-status=live}} "Work" was also performed during her Anti World Tour (2016). She performed the song with Drake (along with "Too Good") at OVO Fest Toronto on July 31, 2016. Rihanna also performed "Work" at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, as part of a medley with "Rude Boy" and "What's My Name?".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67860-mtv-vma-2016-watch-rihanna-perform-four-career-spanning-medleys/|title=MTV VMA 2016: Watch Rihanna Perform Four Career-Spanning Medleys - Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=September 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904134547/https://pitchfork.com/news/67860-mtv-vma-2016-watch-rihanna-perform-four-career-spanning-medleys/|url-status=live}} Several years later, the song was performed as part of Rihanna's headlining set at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

On February 9, 2016, rapper ASAP Ferg released his remix of "Work" via SoundCloud.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/rihanna-new-song-work-remix-featuring-asap-ferg|title=Listen to A$AP Ferg's Remix of Rihanna's "Work"|work=Complex|last=Mench|first=Chris|date=February 9, 2016|access-date=February 14, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422124116/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/rihanna-new-song-work-remix-featuring-asap-ferg|url-status=live}} On February 17, 2016, Nigerian artist Burna Boy released a remix of "Work", along with a lyric video.{{cite web | url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/02/22/burna-boy-rihanna-drake-work-remix | title=Burna Boy Gave Rihanna's "Work" An Awesome Nigerian Remix | publisher=The Fader | date=February 22, 2016 | access-date=March 9, 2016 | author=Kameir, Rawiya | archive-date=July 1, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701183138/http://www.thefader.com/2016/02/22/burna-boy-rihanna-drake-work-remix | url-status=live }} On March 6, 2016, American rapper Lil Mama released a remix of the song; her version features the same production and chorus, but is accompanied by new rap bars. Lil Mama's version was also released with a video, in which she recreated the original along with newly-choreographed dance moves.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/03/06/lil-mama-remixes-rihanna-drake-work/|title=Lil Mama Remixes Rihanna & Drake's 'Work'|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=July 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708222455/http://www.rap-up.com/2016/03/06/lil-mama-remixes-rihanna-drake-work/|url-status=live}}

On March 8, 2016, DJDS released an '80s-inspired remix via SoundCloud.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/03/08/djds-remix-rihanna-work|title=Listen To DJDS' Remix Of Rihanna's "Work"|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614162452/http://www.thefader.com/2016/03/08/djds-remix-rihanna-work|url-status=live}} On March 19, 2016, Work (Remixes) EP was officially released via Tidal{{cite web|url=http://listen.tidal.com/track/58402690|title=Try the TIDAL Web Player|date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617082640/http://listen.tidal.com/track/58402690|url-status=live}} Including R3HAB REMiX (Extended Remix and Extended Instrumental), Burns' Late Night Rollin' Remix, Bad Royale Remix (Bad Royale Remix), and Lost Kings Remix (and Extended Remix). American producers Ookay & Yultron released a remix of the song as well, giving it a hybrid trap-inspired beat. The remix was released via SoundCloud on Yultron's page.{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/yultron-vip/riri-work-feat-drizzy-ookay-x-yultron-remix/|title=RiRi - Werk Feat. Drizzy (Ookay x Yultron Remix)|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512161830/https://soundcloud.com/yultron-vip/riri-work-feat-drizzy-ookay-x-yultron-remix|url-status=live}}

On April 11, 2016, Spanish singer-songwriter Alba Farelo Solé, better known as Bad Gyal (b. March 7, 1997, in Barcelona), uploaded a tribute video of "Work" to her YouTube channel with new lyrics in the Catalán language, her mother tongue. The cover, entitled "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR5P4rzZJm4&pp=ygUMYmFkIGd5YWwgcGFp Pai]" (Catalán for "money"), has a nearly-identical sound to Rihanna's "Work", albeit in a different language with completely different words, and featuring Bad Gyal's signature use of autotune effects. "Pai" has garnered over four million views on YouTube, and stands as one of Bad Gyal's earliest music videos.{{Cite web |date=11 April 2016 |title=BAD GYAL - PAI |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=aR5P4rzZJm4&pp=ygUMYmFkIGd5YWwgcGFp |website=YouTube}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/work-feat.-drake-single/id1078761736|title=Music – Work (feat. Drake) – Single by Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206134712/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/work-feat.-drake-single/id1078761736|url-status=dead}}

| title1 = Work

| note1 = featuring Drake

| length1 = 3:39

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Remixes{{cite web|url=http://listen.tidal.com/album/58402689|title=Try the TIDAL Web Player|date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=May 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526181357/http://listen.tidal.com/album/58402689|url-status=live}}

| title1 = Work

| note1 = R3hab Remix) (featuring Drake

| length1 = 3:39

| title2 = Work

| note2 = R3hab Extended Remix) (featuring Drake

| length2 = 3:59

| title3 = Work

| note3 = R3hab Extended Instrumental

| length3 = 3:59

| title4 = Work

| note4 = BURNS' Late Night Rollin Remix) (featuring Drake

| length4 = 3:43

| title5 = Work

| note5 = Bad Royale Remix) (featuring Drake) (Explicit

| length5 = 3:42

| title6 = Work

| note6 = Bad Royale Remix) (featuring Drake) (Clean

| length6 = 3:43

| title7 = Work

| note7 = Lost Kings Remix) (featuring Drake

| length7 = 4:19

| title8 = Work

| note8 = Lost Kings Extended Remix) (featuring Drake

| length8 = 4:50

}}

Credits adapted from Rihanna's official website.{{cite web|url=http://www.rihannanow.com/music/anti-deluxe-edition/|title=Anti (Deluxe Edition) {{!}} Rihanna {{!}} Credits|publisher=Rihannanow.com|access-date=February 11, 2016|archive-date=June 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605023028/http://www.rihannanow.com/music/anti-deluxe-edition/|url-status=live}}

;Locations

• Recorded at Westlake Beverly Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, Sandra Gale Studios, California and SOTA Studios, Toronto
• Mixed at Studio 306 and SOTA Studios in Toronto, Canada and Larrabee Studios in Universal City, California
• Mastering at Sterling Sound Studios in New York City, New York

;Personnel

{{Div col}}

• Rihanna – vocals, writing
• Drake – vocals, writing
• Jahron Brathwaite – writing, additional vocals
• Boi-1da – writing, production
• Allen Ritter – writing
• Sevn Thomas – writing
• Monte Moir – writing (interpolation)
• Marcos Tovar – vocal recording
• Kuk Harrell – vocal recording, vocal production
• Thomas Warren – vocal recording
• Noel Cadastre – vocal recording
• Noel "Gadget" Campbell – mixing
• Noah "40" Shebib – vocal production, vocal recording, mixing
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Chris Gehringer – mastering

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|access-date=June 18, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|artist=Rihanna feat. Drake|title=Work|award=Platinum|certyear=2016|relyear=2016|access-date=June 6, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|award=Diamond|number=4|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2024|access-date=July 12, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Work|artist=Rihanna|type=single|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=9|certyear=2023|relyear=2016|accessdate=January 31, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2016|access-date=14 August 2018|certyear=2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|certyear=2016|relyear=2016|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|award=Diamond|type=single|access-date=September 16, 2016|refname="francecert"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|title=Work|artist=Rihanna feat. Drake|award=Platinum|relyear=2016|certyear=2018|access-date=April 27, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|relyear=2016|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|number=3|award=Platinum|certyear=2016|type=single|digital=true|access-date=October 3, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Work|artist=Rihanna feat. Drake|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=2024-12-17}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2016|certyear=2021|certmonth=8|access-date=August 11, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|award=Platinum|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2019|id=file_2020-03-31-16-40-51.pdf|access-date=August 14, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|relyear=2016|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2016|type=single|id=rihanna-drake-work|access-date=June 29, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|award=Platinum|number=4|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2017|source=artist|access-date=August 22, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Rihanna|title=Work|number=3|award=Platinum|id=10800-2365-1|relyear=2016|certyear=2021|type=single|access-date=July 8, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Work|artist=Rihanna|type=single|region=United States|award=Diamond|certyear=2024|relyear=2016|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=32,500,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/rihanna-happy-antiversary-pics-video-9518130/|title=Rihanna Wishes Herself a 'Happy #ANTIversary' With Throwback Pics|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|magazine=Billboard|date=January 29, 2021|access-date=March 6, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217113833/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/rihanna-happy-antiversary-pics-video-9518130/|archive-date=December 17, 2021}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|nosales=true}}

• Artists with the most number-ones on the U.S. Hot 100
• List of best-selling singles
• List of Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles of 2016
• List of number-one hits of 2016 (France)
• List of UK R&B Singles Chart number ones of 2016
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2016
• List of number-one singles of 2016 (South Africa)
• List of number-one dance singles of 2016 (U.S.)

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite news |first=Tom |last=Breihan |date=2024-09-16 |title=The Number Ones: Rihanna's "Work" (Feat. Drake) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2279767/the-number-ones-rihannas-work-feat-drake/columns/the-number-ones/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}

{{Rihanna songs}}

{{Drake songs}}

{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2016 singles

Category:2016 songs

Category:Rihanna songs

Category:Drake (musician) songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:SNEP Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Portugal

Category:South African Airplay Chart number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Director X

Category:Song recordings produced by Boi-1da

Category:Songs written by Drake (musician)

Category:Songs written by PartyNextDoor

Category:Songs written by Rihanna

Category:Songs written by Boi-1da

Category:Songs written by Monte Moir

Category:Reggae fusion songs

Category:Songs about labor

Category:Torch songs

Category:Dancehall songs

Category:Songs written by Allen Ritter

Category:Songs written by Sevn Thomas

Category:Roc Nation singles