THE 
April 13, 2009 Cover War! “Torture”
It’s time for another Cover War! This time it’s between two artists who are both relatively unknown. Rin on the Rox and Canadian singer Elise Estrada. “Torture” was included on Elise Estrada’s 2008 self-titled album, and now was just recently recorded and released (via iTunes) by up and coming YouTube singers Rin on the Rox. These ladies started out singing in their bathrooms’ and later got their break when they were featured on the Ellen show earlier this year. Since then, their YouTube views have skyrocketed and the girls are in the process of recording a debut album. Their decision to record the song caused a stir with Elise Estrada’s fans causing Rin on the Rox to release this statement via YouTube:
“This song was previously sung by Elise Estrada, we know that so please, no more harsh comments about Rin on the Rox stealing or taking Elise Estrada’s song. She sang it and that was it. We hooked up with some producers/composers from Vancouver, SA Trackworks/Banana Toons, who told us a girl previously sang it as a demo, but never released it as a single. It is Rin on the Rox’s song now and we would really appreciate it if everyone would just continue to show their love and support. Mind you, If I Were A Boy sung by Beyonce was previously released and recorded by another artist and Beyonce’s rendition turned out to be a #1 hit . Please continue to show your love and support. We will have more originals coming to you soon! Thanks again! We love you all!!”
Tell me, who do you think did a better job with the song?
Rin on the Rox — Torture Link 1
Rin on the Rox — Torture Link 2
Elise Estrada — Torture Link 1
Elise Estrada — Torture Link 2
DJTHEFRESHPRINCE
April 14, 2009 at 12:57 am
ooop! They always have to throw Bey in there somewhere some kind of way to garner SOME type of attention. but what artist previously recorded AND released “If I Were A Boy”?
Jalan
April 14, 2009 at 6:06 am
i love Rin on the Rox
i the only reason they brought up Bey was to prove the point that other artist have hits of songs that were not originally theirs
oh by the way the artist is a girl from outta san diego named BC jean…..her version is nice but thats not the point
Anonymous
April 14, 2009 at 10:08 am
I like them both, but Elise has a slight edge imo.
musikdesignfreak
April 14, 2009 at 11:13 am
Personally I love Rin on the Rox but I don’t think the song did their voices any justice. It was nice but definitely not a hit.
I agree with you, Jalan, that they brought up Beyonce to prove a point. It happens all the time. Another example, Cassie’s “Official Girl” was sung by a young singer named Karina Pasian.
The Artiste
April 14, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Another bunch of girls who go around taking other people’s songs. Just because a producer gives you the song, does not mean that the original artist is even aware that this has happened! At the end of the day, if the original artist wrote the song then it belongs to them and they legally have copyright over it.
Producers are crazy, all they care about is money and will try and get any heffer to sing a song by another artist, regardless of whether they’re permitted to do so.
I don’t see why these girls couldn’t have written they’re own damn song or worked with songwriters. Just another example of the lack of talent in the industry where pretty girls have things handed to them.
And the Beyonce example was unncessary, it was contraversial and B lost a lot of respect because of what she/ her team did. These girls don’t need to be following in B’s footsteps in that sense.
Realz4Tunes
April 14, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I’d have to agree with The Artiste, in this day and age there are SO many singers out there and we don’t need to hear people ripping off others. RnR are getting a bit noticed why not take a stand and do your OWN music along with the great covers? The writers may have been doing it just ot make a fast coin or two but i don’t think this is the way to start off your career RnR.
asparkles98
April 15, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I adore Rin on the Rocks. Their voices and compatibility are on point. I love “Torture” it would torture me if Rin on the Rocks don’t sing!
kdh
April 16, 2009 at 12:03 am
A singer can record a song, but if they didn’t write the lyrics or compose the music AND they don’t purchase/hold exclusive rights, it’s not “theirs”. Many singers don’t own exclusive rights to a song and many producers don’t sell exclusive rights, so they can shop a song as much as they want. The producers should lose out on a potential hit because some girl no one ever heard of already sung the song? On a demo, no less? Nope.
Lewis
April 16, 2009 at 1:52 am
Rin on the Rox….Rox!
LaRysa
April 16, 2009 at 3:05 pm
rin on the rox did way better i listen to that song everyday i love them that other girl didnt do that song justice like at all rin on the rox u could tell put they heart and soul in it and not to metion they sing better too….but thats just how i feel
louc
April 24, 2009 at 12:19 pm
It was actually released on Elise’s album in 2008, so how can they say it’s a demo.
Trish
May 1, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Everyone should get off ROTR’s case. In case you didn’t see it, Elise invited them to do a show with her, and sing “TORTURE”, nonetheless. As long as she’s cool with it, everyone else should be too. Personally, I like ROTR’s version better, but only by a little bit more.
Here’s the video of Elise’s message to Rin On The Rox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vclDqilpqec
Danny
July 14, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Okay, I listened to both versions and unless you are really scrutinizing it, you can’t tell that it is two different people singing it