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The original version of Rihanna's mega-hit and duet with rising star Mikky Ekko has been revealed online. It doesn't feature Rihanna. Listen below.
The track was originally recorded by Ekko, and later adopted by Rihanna for her 2012 album Unapologetic. Discussing the track with Gigwise in 2013, Ekko spoke of his shock and awe at working with the Barbadian superstar, which thrust Ekko into the mainstream.
"The track had become so special to me as well, and knowing what the track means to me and what I think it means to her too, it really worked," he told us. "It speaks to such an intimate side of her that is so rare and so far removed from what people think of her.
"I met up with some of her people in LA. She came out, we met, we hugged and talked for a minute about the song, she said 'oh, just so you know I've cut the vocal,' and I was like 'WHOA!' and of course I said 'that's no problem' - even though I was a little freaking out."
Listen to the Mikky Ekko version of 'Stay' below