Last updated
    Don't Stop the Music

    Song

    Don't Stop the Music

    by Rihanna

    Good Girl Gone Bad · September 7, 2007 · 4:01

    Community

    About This Song

    Rihanna released "Don't Stop the Music" as the fourth single from her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad on September 7, 2007. The track blends house music production with rhythmic hip-hop elements to create a high-energy anthem focused on escaping daily stress through dancing. Stargate produced the song, anchoring the sound around a prominent vocal sample from Michael Jackson's 1983 hit "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".

    That specific sampling choice triggered significant legal complications when Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango claimed the melody originated in his 1972 track "Soul Makossa". Lawsuits were filed against both Rihanna and Jackson before credits were adjusted to include Dibango alongside Jackson and the original songwriters. Consequently, Michael Jackson received a writing credit for the interpolation despite not performing on the recording.

    The song became one of Rihanna's signature tracks, bridging pop and dance audiences while achieving multi-platinum certifications in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Dance Club Songs chart. Internationally, the single secured top-ten positions in numerous territories including the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at number three.

    Music Videos

    Credits

    Songwriters

    Christopher Stewart, Terius Nash, Thaddis Harrell, Emanuel Kiriakou, Michael Jackson, Manu Dibango

    Producers

    Stargate

    Certifications

    Platinum (RIAA)Platinum (BPI)Platinum (ARIA)

    Keywords

    dance-popsampleMichael JacksonManu DibangoStargateGood Girl Gone Bad

    Sources

    Song Info

    Artist
    Rihanna
    Album
    Good Girl Gone Bad
    Released
    September 7, 2007
    Duration
    4:01
    Label
    Def Jam Recordings, Island Records
    Track #
    4
    Peak Chart
    #5 Billboard Hot 100
    Director
    Ray Kay
    Sample Source
    Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
    Legal Settlement
    Manu Dibango credited after lawsuit
    UK Chart Peak
    #3
    US Dance Chart Peak
    #1

    Join the community

    fans discussing