"Hard" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fourth studio album, Rated R, which was released in 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 released by Def Jam Recordings on February 19, 2010, 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. Critics commended "Hard" for Rihanna's vocal performance and Jeezy's collaboration.