High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! "Hard" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009). It was written by Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, Rihanna and American rapper Jeezy, who also provides featured vocals. Nash and Stewart produced the song under their respective stage names The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. "Hard" was released by Def Jam Recordings on February 19, 2010 as the second United States single. It is a hip hop song and features military horns, hissing synthesizers, sharp beats and piano chords. Critics commended "Hard" for Rihanna`s vocal performance and her collaboration with Jeezy.