Rihanna is a multi-talented Barbadian figure known for her singing, business ventures, acting, modeling, and songwriting.
She is widely recognized as one of the most significant musical artists of the 21st century. Signing with Def Jam Recordings in 2005, she gained mainstream attention with her initial two albums, “Music of the Sun” (2005) and “A Girl Like Me” (2006), both heavily influenced by Caribbean sounds. These albums achieved commercial success, reaching the top ten on the US Billboard 200 chart. With her third album, “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007), Rihanna ventured into dance-pop territory, solidifying her position as a major figure in the music industry. The album’s lead single, “Umbrella” (featuring Jay-Z), topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and several other charts worldwide. Additionally, it earned her a Grammy Award and remains one of the best-selling singles in history.
Early life and Education
Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Her mother, Monica (née Braithwaite), works as an accountant, while her father, Ronald Fenty, is a warehouse supervisor. Rihanna’s heritage includes Afro-Guyanese, Barbadian, Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. She has siblings from both her mother’s and father’s sides. Growing up in Bridgetown, Rihanna experienced the challenges of her father’s alcoholism and drug addiction, which strained her parents’ marriage and led to physical abuse. Despite facing these difficulties, Rihanna’s health improved after her parents’ divorce when she was 14. During her childhood, she underwent numerous CT scans due to severe headaches, which doctors initially feared might be a tumor. Rihanna’s passion for music developed early, and she was influenced by reggae music. She attended Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School and Combermere School, where she studied alongside future cricketers Chris Jordan and Carlos Brathwaite. At age 11, Rihanna was a cadet in Barbados’s Cadet Corps, with singer-songwriter Shontelle as her drill sergeant. Although she initially aimed to complete high school, Rihanna ultimately chose to pursue a career in music.
Career
In 2003, Rihanna formed a musical trio with two classmates in Barbados. After auditioning for record producer Evan Rogers, she caught his attention with her talent, leading to a second meeting with her mother present. Impressed, Rogers invited Rihanna to the United States to record demo tapes. Over the course of a year, they worked on tracks like “Pon de Replay” and “The Last Time,” eventually leading to her signing with Rogers’s production company, Syndicated Rhythm Productions.
Her demo reached Def Jam Recordings, where A&R executive Jay Brown and rapper Jay-Z listened to it. Initially unsure about “Pon de Replay,” Jay-Z decided to audition Rihanna in early 2005 in New York City. After hearing her perform, including her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “For the Love of You” and her demo tracks, especially “Pon de Replay,” Jay-Z and Def Jam CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid were impressed. Jay-Z was determined to sign her, and after a late-night contract negotiation, Rihanna secured a six-album record deal with Def Jam. She then relocated to the United States to pursue her music career under the guidance of Rogers and his wife.
After signing with Def Jam, Jay-Z and his team took charge of A&R for Rihanna’s debut album, spending three months recording and finalizing it. Working primarily with Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, Rihanna collaborated with various producers to complete her debut studio album. Among several options, “Pon de Replay” was chosen as the lead single due to its suitability for a summer release. Released in May 2005 under her mononym “Rihanna,” the song achieved global success, peaking within the top five in fifteen countries, including the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.
“Music of the Sun” was then released in August 2005, debuting at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a gold certification from the RIAA. While it sold over 2 million copies worldwide, its second single, “If It’s Lovin’ that You Want,” didn’t match the success of its predecessor.
Following her debut album’s release, Rihanna began working on her second studio album, “A Girl like Me,” released in April 2006. The album received commercial success, charting in the top 10 in 13 countries and reaching No. 1 in Canada. Its lead single, “SOS,” topped the US Billboard Hot 100, marking Rihanna’s first No. 1 single in the US. The album’s second single, “Unfaithful,” also achieved international success, reaching the top 10 in 18 countries. Two additional singles, “We Ride” and “Break It Off,” were released from the album, further solidifying Rihanna’s presence in the music industry.
In early 2007, Rihanna collaborated with Jamaican band J-Status and fellow Barbadian singer-songwriter Shontelle on the single “Roll It,” featured on J-Status’ debut album “The Beginning,” released in select European countries. During this time, Rihanna had already started working on her third studio album, “Good Girl Gone Bad.”
For this album, Rihanna embraced a new musical direction, leaning towards uptempo dance tracks with the assistance of producers like Timbaland, Tricky Stewart, and Sean Garrett. “Good Girl Gone Bad” was released in May 2007 and achieved significant success, charting at No. 2 in Australia and the US while reaching the top spot in various countries, including Brazil, Canada, Ireland, and the UK. The album received the most positive critical reviews among Rihanna’s first three albums, marking a significant evolution in her musical style and showcasing her versatility as an artist.
“Umbrella,” the lead single from “Good Girl Gone Bad,” achieved remarkable success, topping the charts in 13 countries and remaining at No. 1 in the UK for 10 consecutive weeks. It became Rihanna’s first single to sell over 8 million copies worldwide, solidifying its place as one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Following “Umbrella,” Rihanna released several other successful singles from the album, including “Shut Up and Drive,” “Hate That I Love You” featuring Ne-Yo, and “Don’t Stop the Music,” which became an international hit.
To support the album, Rihanna embarked on the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour in September 2007, performing 80 shows across the US, Canada, and Europe. She received multiple nominations at the 2008 Grammy Awards for her work on the album, winning her first Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Umbrella” alongside Jay-Z.
In June 2008, Rihanna released “Good Girl Gone Bad Live,” her first live long-form video featuring a concert from the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour in Manchester, UK, along with a documentary about her experiences on the tour.
Rihanna continued to dominate the charts with the release of “Rehab,” the fifth single from “Good Girl Gone Bad.” The album’s reissue, “Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded,” included additional tracks like “Disturbia,” “Take a Bow,” and “If I Never See Your Face Again,” featuring Maroon 5. These songs also achieved considerable success worldwide.
Throughout the late 2000s, Rihanna experimented with various musical styles, further establishing herself as a versatile artist. She collaborated on the charity single “Just Stand Up!” in August 2008 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Live Your Life,” a duet with T.I., released in November of the same year.
On February 8, 2009, Rihanna’s anticipated performance at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards was abruptly canceled following reports of a physical assault by her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown. Brown was subsequently arrested and charged with assault and making criminal threats. The severity of the incident became evident when a leaked photograph from the police department revealed Rihanna’s visible injuries.
Despite the personal turmoil, Rihanna remained active in the music industry. A few months after the incident, she was featured on Jay-Z’s single “Run This Town,” alongside Kanye West, which was released as part of Jay-Z’s album “The Blueprint 3.”
In early 2009, Rihanna began working on her fourth studio album, “Rated R,” which was released in November 2009. The album marked a significant departure from her previous work, featuring a darker and more intense tone. Despite debuting at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart, “Rated R” received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone magazine praising Rihanna’s transformation of her sound.
The album spawned six singles, including “Rude Boy,” which became a worldwide success, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and achieving top 10 positions in 22 other countries. Additionally, in January 2010, Rihanna contributed a charity cover of “Redemption Song” for the Hope for Haiti Now campaign, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian efforts in the wake of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. She also collaborated on the song “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)” with Jay-Z, Bono, and The Edge for the same campaign.
In the summer of 2010, Rihanna collaborated with rapper Eminem on “Love the Way You Lie,” a massive worldwide success that reached No. 1 in over 20 countries. It became the biggest-selling song of 2010 in the UK and marked Rihanna’s first single to sell over a million copies in the country. Later that year, Rihanna made a significant career move by joining Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Management.
In late 2010, Rihanna was featured on three singles that further showcased her versatility as an artist: Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” from his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” Nicki Minaj’s “Fly” from her debut studio album “Pink Friday,” and David Guetta’s “Who’s That Chick?” from the album “One More Love.”
Rihanna’s fifth studio album, “Loud,” was released in November 2010, spawning three US Billboard Hot 100 hits: “Only Girl (In the World),” “What’s My Name?” featuring Drake, and “S&M.” With these hits, Rihanna set a record as the solo artist with the fastest accumulation of 10 chart-toppers in the Hot 100’s history. “Only Girl (In the World)” won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
Following the success of “Loud,” Rihanna released “Man Down” and “California King Bed” as singles in May 2011. “Cheers (Drink to That),” which samples Avril Lavigne’s “I’m with You,” served as the seventh and final single from the album.
To promote “Loud,” Rihanna embarked on her Loud Tour in June 2011, which included 10 sold-out nights at The O2 Arena in West London, making her the female artist with the most sold-out shows in the venue’s history. The tour ranked as the seventh highest-grossing tour worldwide of 2011.
Rihanna’s sixth album, “Talk That Talk,” was released in November 2011 to critical acclaim. The album debuted at No. 3 in the U.S. and secured the top spot on the UK charts. Its lead single, “We Found Love,” became a global phenomenon, topping charts in 27 countries and breaking numerous records. The song spent 10 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Rihanna’s longest-running chart-topper and the longest-running No. 1 single of 2011 in the US. It was also ranked as the 24th biggest hit of all time on the Billboard Hot 100.
Following the success of “We Found Love,” “You Da One” and the album’s title track, featuring Jay-Z, were released as the second and third singles, achieving moderate success. “Where Have You Been,” the fifth single, also charted successfully worldwide, reaching No. 5 in the US and No. 6 in the UK. “Cockiness (Love It)” was released as the album’s sixth and final single in a remixed form featuring rapper ASAP Rocky. Overall, “Talk That Talk” continued Rihanna’s streak of chart-topping success and cemented her status as one of the leading figures in contemporary music.
In early 2012, Rihanna’s collaborations with Coldplay on “Princess of China” and Drake on “Take Care” were released, showcasing her versatility across different genres. Rihanna continued her award-winning streak by winning her third Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2012 Grammy Awards for her collaboration with Kanye West on “All of the Lights.” She also received the BRIT Award for Best International Female Solo Artist for the second consecutive year.
However, March 2012 saw controversy when Rihanna and Chris Brown simultaneously released remixes of their songs “Birthday Cake” and “Turn Up the Music,” respectively. The collaborations received criticism due to their history of domestic violence.
In September 2012, Rihanna made history by becoming the first woman to win the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year more than once for “We Found Love.”
Rihanna’s seventh studio album, “Unapologetic,” was released in November 2012, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking her first No. 1 album in the United States. The lead single, “Diamonds,” topped charts in over 20 countries, including the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rihanna’s 12th No. 1 hit on the chart. The album’s second single, “Stay,” featuring Mikky Ekko, also achieved significant success, reaching the top five in over twenty countries.
To promote “Unapologetic,” Rihanna embarked on the 777 Tour, performing seven shows in seven countries in seven days. A documentary about the tour aired on Fox, with a DVD release following the next day.
In February 2013, Rihanna won her sixth Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video for “We Found Love.” She also received recognition in the UK, ranking at No. 1 in the list of 2013 BRIT Awards artist nominees.
Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour, in support of “Unapologetic,” kicked off in March 2013. She also ventured into acting, appearing in the comedy film “This Is the End.” Additionally, Rihanna collaborated with Wale on a remix of his single “Bad” and with Eminem on “The Monster,” released in October 2013 as the fourth single from his album “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.”
In 2014, Rihanna collaborated with Shakira on the single “Can’t Remember to Forget You.” Following the release of her album “Unapologetic” and its accompanying tour, Rihanna expressed her desire to take a hiatus from recording music, seeking creative freedom. In May 2014, she left Def Jam Recordings to sign exclusively with Roc Nation, the record label that had managed her career since October 2010.
A year later, Rihanna returned to the music scene with the release of the single “FourFiveSeconds,” a collaboration with Kanye West and Paul McCartney. This marked the beginning of her work on her eighth studio album. Despite subsequent releases of singles like “Bitch Better Have My Money” and “American Oxygen,” neither track made the final cut for the album. During this period, Rihanna ventured into other creative endeavors, including voice acting as Tip in the animated film “Home,” based on the book “The True Meaning of Smekday” by Adam Rex. She also released a concept album soundtrack for the film, showcasing her versatility across different forms of art.
In late 2015, Rihanna signed a lucrative $25 million contract with Samsung, which involved her promoting Samsung’s Galaxy line of products while Samsung sponsored the release of her eighth studio album and its supporting tour. The Anti World Tour was announced in November 2015 and kicked off in March 2016, with Travis Scott supporting in North America and Big Sean supporting at selected European dates. Although The Weeknd was initially slated to support at certain European sites, he backed out due to unforeseen changes in his upcoming projects.
On January 28, 2016, Rihanna released her eighth studio album, “Anti,” exclusively through the streaming service Tidal. The album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, marking Rihanna’s second No. 1 album and eighth top 10 album on the chart. It spawned four singles, including the lead single “Work,” featuring Drake, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Additionally, the Platinum-certified singles “Needed Me” and “Love on the Brain” both peaked inside the top 10 of the US Hot 100.
Throughout 2016, Rihanna was featured in several hit singles, including Kanye West’s “Famous,” Calvin Harris’ “This Is What You Came For,” Drake’s “Too Good,” and Mike Will Made It’s “Nothing Is Promised.” She also released “Sledgehammer,” a single from the “Star Trek Beyond” movie soundtrack. Rihanna received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in August.
In 2017, Rihanna continued her streak of successful collaborations, featuring in Future’s “Selfish,” DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts” with Bryson Tiller, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty,” for which she earned her ninth Grammy Award. Additionally, she joined N.E.R.D for their comeback single “Lemon” from the album “No One Ever Really Dies.”
In October 2017, Shakka revealed that he was collaborating with Rihanna on her highly anticipated album, describing it as “absolutely insane.” Rihanna confirmed in December 2018 that the album would be released in 2019, later announcing that it would be a reggae project. Fans got a glimpse of what was to come in August 2019 when Rihanna and co-songwriters Collin Edwards, Monique Lawrence, and Alexander Ogunmokun registered a song titled “Private Loving” with BMI. The anticipation continued to build when Rihanna signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in September 2019.
By December 2019, Rihanna hinted that the album was complete but didn’t specify a release date in an Instagram post. She made a musical appearance on Canadian singer PartyNextDoor’s song “Believe It,” released on March 27, 2020. Then, on September 25, 2022, Rihanna surprised fans by announcing that she would headline the Super Bowl LVII halftime show, marking her first live performance in over five years and ending her self-imposed boycott of the event initiated in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. The performance garnered widespread acclaim, becoming the most-watched halftime show in history.
Rihanna made a triumphant return to the music scene on October 28, 2022, with the release of the lead single from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, titled “Lift Me Up.” This marked her first solo musical release since “Anti” and earned her nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song. Fans eagerly await her forthcoming album, eager to see what Rihanna has in store after her extended hiatus.
Rihanna’s business career is as impressive as her music career. She has successfully ventured into various industries, including fashion, beauty, and entertainment, establishing herself as a savvy entrepreneur and businesswoman.
One of Rihanna’s most notable ventures is her fashion and beauty empire. She launched her fashion brand, Fenty, in collaboration with luxury fashion conglomerate LVMH in 2019, making her the first woman of color to lead a luxury fashion house under LVMH. Fenty offers a range of clothing, accessories, and footwear known for its bold designs and inclusive sizing. In addition to her fashion line, Rihanna has also made waves in the beauty industry with the launch of Fenty Beauty in 2017. The brand gained widespread acclaim for its diverse range of makeup products, including foundation shades that cater to a wide spectrum of skin tones.
Beyond fashion and beauty, Rihanna has expanded her business interests into other areas. She has launched her own fragrance line, collaborated with various brands on limited-edition collections, and invested in startups and technology companies. In the entertainment industry, Rihanna has proven her versatility as an actress, appearing in films like “Ocean’s 8” and lending her voice to animated movies like “Home.”
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Rihanna is actively involved in philanthropy and social causes. She uses her platform to advocate for issues such as education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Overall, Rihanna’s business career showcases her entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and determination to succeed in diverse industries. She continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders with her groundbreaking achievements and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Influence
Rihanna’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. As one of the most prominent recording artists of the 21st century, she has left an indelible mark on pop, R&B, and hip-hop music. Her unique blend of catchy melodies, powerful vocals, and bold lyrics has earned her numerous accolades and a massive global following.
One of Rihanna’s significant contributions to music is her ability to continuously evolve her sound and image, setting trends and pushing boundaries with each new album. From her early Caribbean-infused hits like “Pon de Replay” to the more experimental and mature tracks on albums like “Anti,” Rihanna has demonstrated versatility and creativity throughout her career.
Beyond her musical talents, Rihanna’s influence extends to fashion, beauty, and cultural movements. As a fashion icon, she has collaborated with top designers, launched her own successful fashion and beauty brands, and set trends with her daring style choices. Her impact on beauty standards and inclusivity is evident in her Fenty Beauty line, which offers a wide range of shades to cater to diverse skin tones.
Moreover, Rihanna’s advocacy for social causes, including women’s rights, education, and humanitarian efforts, has further solidified her status as a cultural icon. She uses her platform to address issues of social justice and inequality, inspiring fans to take action and make a difference in the world.
Overall, Rihanna’s influence transcends music, encompassing fashion, beauty, activism, and cultural shifts. Her fearless approach to creativity and commitment to authenticity continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike.
Personal life
Rihanna’s real estate portfolio includes a $14 million penthouse in Lower Manhattan and a £7 million house in West London, purchased in 2018 to facilitate her work with the FENTY fashion label. In December 2018, she sold her Hollywood Hills mansion for $10.4 million following a break-in earlier that year.
Regarding her personal life, Rihanna dated singer Chris Brown from 2007 to 2009, with their relationship ending amid a highly publicized domestic violence case. She then had an on-and-off relationship with rapper Drake from 2009 to 2016. In January 2013, Rihanna confirmed her rekindled relationship with Brown, although he was still under probation for their previous domestic violence incident. However, they ultimately broke up again in May 2013. In 2017, Rihanna began dating Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel, but they split in January 2020.
In May 2021, rapper ASAP Rocky confirmed his relationship with Rihanna, and in January 2022, they revealed they were expecting their first child. Their son, named RZA Athelaston Mayers, was born in May 2022. During the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in February 2023, Rihanna announced her second pregnancy, and in August 2023, she and ASAP Rocky welcomed their second son, named Riot Rose Mayers.
Domestic abuse
The incident involving domestic abuse between Chris Brown and Rihanna in 2009 is a well-documented and highly publicized case. In February of that year, Chris Brown physically assaulted Rihanna during an argument, leaving her with visible injuries. The incident occurred the night before the Grammy Awards, and both artists were scheduled to perform at the event.
Following the assault, Chris Brown turned himself in to authorities and was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats. He later pleaded guilty to felony assault and accepted a plea deal, which included probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, shining a spotlight on the issue of domestic violence. It prompted discussions about the prevalence of abuse in relationships and the importance of supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
Rihanna’s experience brought attention to the complexities of domestic abuse and the need for greater awareness, resources, and support for survivors. She has since spoken out about her experience and become an advocate for victims of domestic violence, using her platform to raise awareness and support organizations that work to combat abuse.
The incident also had significant repercussions for both artists’ careers, with Chris Brown facing public backlash and legal consequences, while Rihanna received widespread support from fans and fellow celebrities.
Net Worth
Over 1 billion dollars