Rihanna is one of the most successful and influential artists of our time. She has sold over 250 million records worldwide, won nine Grammy Awards, and launched her own beauty and fashion brands. But how did she go from a Caribbean island girl to a global icon? Let’s take a look at her amazing journey.
Early Life and Career Breakthrough
Rihanna was born as Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. She grew up listening to Caribbean music, such as reggae, as well as American hip-hop and R&B. She started singing at a young age and won a high-school talent show with a rendition of a Mariah Carey song. She also formed a girl group with two friends and caught the attention of an American record producer, Evan Rogers, who helped her record a demo tape.
In 2004, Rihanna auditioned for the rapper Jay-Z, who was then the head of Def Jam Recordings. He was impressed by her talent and charisma and signed her to his label. She adopted her middle name, Rihanna, as her stage name and moved to the United States to pursue her music career.
Her debut album, Music of the Sun, was released in 2005 and featured the hit single “Pon de Replay”, a dancehall-inspired song that showcased her Barbadian accent. The album was a commercial success and earned her positive reviews from critics. She followed it up with her second album, A Girl Like Me, in 2006, which included the number-one song “S.O.S.”, based on a sample of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love”.
Rise to Superstardom and Artistic Evolution
Rihanna’s third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, released in 2007, marked a turning point in her career and image. She dyed her hair black, adopted a more edgy and confident persona, and experimented with different genres, such as pop, rock, and dance. The album spawned the worldwide smash “Umbrella”, featuring Jay-Z, which earned her her first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The album also contained other hits, such as “Don’t Stop the Music”, “Take a Bow”, and “Disturbia”.
Rihanna continued to reinvent herself and explore new sounds on her subsequent albums. Rated R (2009) was a darker and more mature record that reflected her personal struggles after a violent altercation with her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown.
The album featured the emotional ballad “Russian Roulette” and the aggressive anthem “Hard”. Loud (2010) was a more upbeat and colorful album that included the dance-pop songs “Only Girl (In the World)”, “What’s My Name?”, and “S&M”. Talk That Talk (2011) was a more urban and sexual album that boasted the club banger “We Found Love”, produced by Calvin Harris, and the sultry “Birthday Cake”. Unapologetic (2012) was her first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and contained the power ballad “Stay”, featuring Mikky Ekko, and the catchy “Diamonds”.
After a four-year hiatus, Rihanna returned with her eighth and most recent album, Anti, in 2016. The album was a departure from her previous pop-oriented sound and showcased her artistic freedom and versatility. The album featured the reggae-infused “Work”, featuring Drake, which became her 14th number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the soulful “Love on the Brain” and the experimental “Needed Me”.
Beyond Music: Humanitarian, Entrepreneur, and Fashion Icon
Rihanna is not only a music star, but also a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and fashion icon. She has been involved in various charitable causes, such as education, health, and social justice. She founded the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012, named after her grandparents, to support global education, health, and emergency response programs. She also serves as an ambassador for UNICEF, the Global Partnership for Education, and the Global Citizen Project. In 2017, she received the Harvard Humanitarian of the Year Award for her philanthropic efforts.
Rihanna is also a successful businesswoman who has launched her own beauty and fashion lines. In 2017, she created Fenty Beauty, a cosmetics brand that offers a wide range of products for different skin tones and types. The brand was praised for its inclusivity and innovation and generated over $500 million in revenue in its first year.
In 2018, she launched Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand that celebrates diversity and body positivity. The brand also produces annual fashion shows that feature models of various sizes, shapes, and backgrounds. In 2019, she partnered with LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group, to create Fenty, a fashion house that offers ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
Rihanna is also widely recognized for her fashion sense and influence. She has been the face of several brands, such as Balmain, Dior, and Puma. She has also collaborated with designers, such as Manolo Blahnik, Armani, and River Island.
She has won numerous awards for her style, such as the Fashion Icon Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2014 and the British Fashion Award for Urban Luxe in 2019. She is known for her daring and eclectic outfits, especially at the Met Gala, where she has stunned the world with her memorable looks.
How Many Albums Has Rihanna Released?
Rihanna has released eight studio albums, two remix albums, one reissue, seven box sets and three extended plays. Her latest album, Anti, was released in 2016. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with over 250 million records sold worldwide.
Rihanna Songs
Rihanna is a famous singer who has recorded many songs for her eight studio albums and other projects. Some of her most popular songs are:
Umbrella (2007): A catchy pop song featuring Jay-Z that won a Grammy Award and became Rihanna’s first number-one single in the US.
We Found Love (2011): A dance-pop song produced by Calvin Harris that topped the charts in 25 countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Diamonds (2012): A powerful ballad that showcases Rihanna’s vocal range and emotional delivery. It was the lead single from her album Unapologetic, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Work (2016): A reggae-infused song featuring Drake that became Rihanna’s 14th number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, tying her with Michael Jackson for the third-most number ones in the chart’s history.
Needed Me (2016): A trap song that expresses Rihanna’s independence and confidence. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of her longest-charting singles.
These are just some of the many songs that Rihanna has released over the years. You can find more information about her songs on YouTube
How Many Awards Has Rihanna Won?
Rihanna has won a total of 230 awards from 625 nominations. Some of the most prestigious awards she has won are:
Nine Grammy Awards, including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Umbrella” and Best Dance Recording for "Only Girl (In the World)".
Thirteen Billboard Music Awards, including Top Female Artist and Top R&B Artist.
Eight American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.
One Oscar Award, for Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Lift Me Up” from the movie "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever".
Rihanna is one of the most successful and influential artists of our time, with over 250 million records sold worldwide. She is also a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and fashion icon who has launched her own beauty and fashion brands and supported various charitable causes. She is a true legend who has left an indelible mark on the music industry and the world.
What Is Rihanna's Net Worth?
Rihanna’s net worth is now estimated at $1.7 billion US, making her the richest female musician in the world. However, most of her wealth comes from her cosmetics company, Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with LVMH. She also has a stake in her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, and her fashion house, Fenty. Her music career, while very successful, is not the primary source of her income.
Rihanna's Cars
Rihanna is a billionaire singer and entrepreneur who owns a collection of expensive and luxurious cars. Some of the cars in her garage are:
Mercedes SLR McLaren Stirling Moss: A rare and powerful supercar that was a gift from her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. It has a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 651 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 220 mph.
Maybach 57 S: An ultra-luxury sedan that features a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that delivers 604 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds.
Lamborghini Aventador: A stunning and fast supercar that has a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that generates 740 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet: A convertible sports car that has a 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-6 engine that offers 480 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 193 mph.
Ferrari 488 GTB: A sleek and agile supercar that has a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 661 horsepower and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds.
Chevrolet Suburban LTZ: A large and spacious SUV that can seat up to nine passengers and has a 5.3-liter V8 engine that provides 355 horsepower and can tow up to 8,300 pounds.
Rolls Royce Cullinan: A luxurious and elegant SUV that has a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that delivers 563 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 155 mph.
BMW 328i: A stylish and comfortable sedan that has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that produces 240 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
Jeep Wrangler: A rugged and adventurous SUV that has a 3.6-liter V6 engine that offers 285 horsepower and can handle any terrain and weather conditions.
BMW 7-Series: A sophisticated and powerful sedan that has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 523 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
These are some of the amazing cars that Rihanna owns and drives. She has a diverse and impressive car collection that reflects her taste and personality. She is a true car enthusiast who enjoys the thrill and luxury of driving.
Rihanna Houses
Rihanna is a billionaire singer and entrepreneur who owns a collection of expensive and luxurious houses in different locations. Some of the houses that Rihanna owns or has owned are:
A rustic-chic estate in Beverly Hills, California, that she bought for $13.8 million in 2021. The house has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a guest house, an infinity pool, and a spacious kitchen with two islands.
A modern mansion right next door to her Beverly Hills estate, that she bought for $10 million in 2021. The house has four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a pool, a spa, and a fire pit.
A five-bedroom condo in One Sandy Lane, Barbados, that she bought for $22 million in 2013. The condo has a private terrace, a dressing room, a swimming pool, and a gym.
A seven-bedroom villa in London, England, that she rented for £18,000 per week in 2018. The villa has a cinema room, a gym, a landscaped garden, and a carriage driveway.
A penthouse in Century City, Los Angeles, that she bought for $5.45 million in 2014 and sold for $6.85 million in 2018. The penthouse has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a wraparound terrace, and a chef’s kitchen.
A Mediterranean-style mansion in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, that she bought for $6.8 million in 2017 and sold for $6.6 million in 2022. The mansion has six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a pool, a spa, and a movie theater.
A penthouse in Chinatown, New York, that she rented for $50,000 per month in 2013 and 2014. The penthouse has four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a media room, a terrace, and a fireplace.
These are some of the amazing houses that Rihanna owns and lives in. She has a diverse and impressive real estate portfolio that reflects her taste and personality. She is a true house enthusiast who enjoys the comfort and luxury of living.
Controversy And Activism Of Rihanna
Rihanna is a pop star who has been involved in several controversies and activism over the years. Some of the examples are:
In 2009, she was assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to felony assault and received five years of probation. The incident sparked a public debate about domestic violence and Rihanna’s role as a survivor and advocate.
In 2017, she boycotted the Super Bowl halftime show in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL player who protested against police brutality and racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. She said she refused to be a “sellout” and support an organization that did not respect his rights.
In 2020, she supported the farmers’ protest in India, which opposed the new farm laws that the government passed. She tweeted a link to a news article about the internet shutdown at the protest sites and asked, “Why aren’t we talking about this?” Her tweet drew global attention and criticism from the Indian government and some celebrities .
In 2021, she was accused of cultural appropriation for using a song that sampled an Islamic hadith, a sacred text, in her Savage X Fenty fashion show. She apologized and said it was an “honest, yet careless mistake” and that she did not intend to disrespect any religion or culture .
Rihanna is a vocal and influential artist who has expressed her opinions and beliefs on various social and political issues. She has also donated millions of dollars to various causes, such as education, health, and disaster relief, through her Clara Lionel Foundation . She is a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and fashion icon who has inspired millions of people around the world.
Conclusion
Rihanna is a remarkable artist and person who has achieved incredible success and impact in various fields. She is a role model for millions of people who admire her talent, passion, and resilience. She is a true legend who has left an indelible mark on the music industry and the world. She is Rihanna, the Barbadian star who conquered the world.
