Rihanna, Stay | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 41st edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we highlight “Stay” performed by Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 41^st edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we break down “Stay” performed by Rihanna.

“Not really sure how to feel about it / Something in the way you move / Makes me feel like I can’t live without you / It takes me all the way / And I want you to stay.” Stay is the keyword from nine-time Grammy-winning Barbadian R&B/pop artist Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty). “Stay” is the seventh track from Rihanna’s 2012 multiplatinum album, Unapologetic. A megahit, “Stay” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified diamond by the RIAA (12 times platinum). It’s not all RiRi on “Stay.” The moving piano ballad features Nashville singer/songwriter Mikky Ekko (John Stephen Sudduth) in his breakout song. Ekko, Elof Loelv, and Justin Parker produced it. Notably, the duo was nominated for a Grammy for this performance: Best Pop Duo / Group Performance.

In this piano ballad, Justin Parker accompanies Rihanna and Mikky on piano. Rihanna sings the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus.  “All along, it was a fever / A cold sweat, hot-headed believer,” she sings in her verse. As always, she performs expressively with her instantly recognizable pipes.  The melodies are stunning, particularly in the crème de la crème, the chorus, excerpted above. As for Mikky Ekko, he sings the brief second verse, second pre-chorus, and second chorus. He complements and contrasts her. “It’s not much of a life you’re living,” he sings, adding, “It’s not just something you take, it’s given.” Word. They both sing the bridge, final chorus, and the outro with impressive chemistry. Undoubtedly, “Stay” is one of the biggest songs of Rihanna’s illustrious career despite its minimalist nature.  Notably, it contrasts with many of her poppier, more ornately produced cuts.

Rihanna // Unapologetic // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 2012

Rihanna, Stay (Ft. Mikky Ekko): Bangerz N Bopz No. 41 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Island Def Jam Music Group; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]