 " Hard " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fourth studio album , Rated R ( 2009 ) . The song was written by Terius Nash , Christopher Stewart , Rihanna , and Jeezy , with vocals performed by the latter two . Nash and Stewart produced it under their stage names , The @-@ Dream and Tricky Stewart . " Hard " was sent to radio by Def Jam Recordings on November 10 , 2009 , as the second United States single from Rated R. It is a hip hop song and features military horns , hissing synthesizers , sharp beats and piano chords . Upon its release , it received critical acclaim , with critics praising Rihanna 's vocal performance and Jeezy 's collaboration . 
