" Hard " , which features rap vocals by Jeezy , was released as the album 's second US single , being sent to radio on November 10 , 2009 . Rihanna decided to record the song as she felt it was different from the pop songs which she usually performed . Critics praised the singer 's vocal performance and the decision to include Jeezy as a featured artist . It became Rihanna 's thirteenth US top ten Hot 100 single , peaking at number eight , and Rihanna equaled Beyoncé Knowles as the female artist with the most US top ten hit singles since 2000 . The song reached No . 1 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart on March 6 , 2010 . To promote the song , Rihanna performed " Hard " live at the 2009 American Music Awards on November 22 , 2009 , at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles , California , as part of a medley with " Wait Your Turn " , and on '' The Ellen DeGeneres Show '' on February 1 , 2010 , where she also sang " Do n't Stop the Music "
2009 American Music Awards
American Music Awards of 2009
Rated R (Rihanna album)