PARTYNEXTDOOR blossomed into a very successful recording artist after signing with Drake‘s OVO Sound label in 2013, selling out tours and shows across his native Canada and frequented United States territories performing the downbeat, sensual anthems that populate his well-received self-titled albums, PARTYNEXTDOOR AND PARTYNEXTDOOR 2. However, his first taste of pop stardom came earlier this year in January, when Rihanna’s “Work” single, written by PND and featuring his mentor Drizzy, exploded into the year’s biggest hit.
It’s easy to think that Party welcomed the success, considering his minor chord-driven, autotune-laden lust anthems are generally not locks for chart success. At the time of the release of “Work,” he’d never seen a solo single crack the Billboard Hot 100. (Since then, two singles off his new album, P3, have charted. “Come And See Me” featuring Drake at #74, and “Not Nice” at #63.) However, as the 23-year-old singer/songwriter/producer tells Rolling Stone, not so fast. He had this to say about penning smash hits for others, even if they’re friends.
It doesn’t make me happy. I’m looking for joy. It’s a moment for Rihanna and Drake. I want to invest time in creating moments for myself.
He went on to describe the difference between his previous work and PARTYNEXTDOOR 3–often styled as P3–admitting that it’s much bluesier than his fan base is used to, and added that he had that blues attitude in mind when he wrote “Work,” which is widely regarded as a jovial party–no pun intended–anthem.
You can read the full RS interview here.
