Producer J.R. Rotem recounts the journey behind “SOS,” Rihanna’s transformative hit that also marked his first number-one record on the Billboard Hot 100.
Initially intended for a girl group that Rotem was producing with songwriter Evan Bogart, “SOS” fortuitously landed in Rihanna’s hands. The melodic piece, born from a creative fusion and a sampled riff of “Tainted Love,” was not deemed a surefire hit by Rotem at the time. Although Jay-Z and his Def Jam team considered Christina Milian their priority artist over Rihanna, they eventually passed on the track. This decision paved the way for Rihanna’s rendition, which catapulted her career. Rotem’s work on “SOS” redefined his image from a rap producer to a versatile hitmaker proficient in pop and R&B. The song’s success opened expansive opportunities for Rotem, featuring him prominently in the music scenes across diverse genres and collaborations with top artists.