Rihanna: Music, Fashion, Activism.

Introduction:

Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty, commonly known as Rihanna, is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. She was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados, and later moved to the United States after being discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers. Rihanna rose to fame with the release of her first two albums, "Music of the Sun" (2005) and "A Girl Like Me" (2006), which incorporated Caribbean music influences and achieved success on the US Billboard 200 chart. She has since become a prominent figure in the music industry, known for her unique style and powerful vocals. Rihanna is also involved in various business ventures, including her own fashion and beauty brands.

Rihanna's Early Life and Childhood in Barbados: Overcoming Challenges and Pursuing Music

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados, to Monica (née Braithwaite), an Afro-Guyanese accountant, and Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor of Barbadian, African, Irish, English, and Scottish descent. Rihanna has two brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty, and three half-siblings from her father's previous relationships. Her childhood was impacted by her father's alcoholism and drug addiction, leading to her parents' divorce when she was 14. Despite facing health issues, including severe headaches and undergoing multiple CT scans, Rihanna's health improved as she grew older. She attended Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School and Combermere School, where she studied with future cricketers Chris Jordan and Carlos Brathwaite. Rihanna was also a cadet in a sub-military program at the age of 11, with singer-songwriter Shontelle as her drill sergeant. While initially interested in graduating from high school, Rihanna ultimately chose to pursue a career in music.

Rihanna's Early Career: From Auditioning for Def Jam to Releasing Debut Album.

In 2003, a young Rihanna formed a musical trio with two classmates in her home country of Barbados. They auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers, who was immediately captivated by Rihanna's talent, and invited her to his hometown in the United States to record demo tapes to be sent to record labels. Despite the challenges of recording during school holidays, Rihanna's demo caught the attention of Def Jam Recordings, where A&R executive Jay Brown played it for rapper Jay-Z, who had recently become the president and CEO of the label.

Although Jay-Z initially felt that Rihanna's track "Pon de Replay" was too big for her, he was impressed by her audition and introduced her to music mogul Antonio "L.A." Reid. After Rihanna sang for Reid and performed "Pon de Replay," Jay-Z and Reid quickly moved to sign her to Def Jam. Rihanna canceled other meetings with record labels and moved to the United States to live with Rogers and his wife.

Jay-Z and his team served as A&R for Rihanna's debut album, which was completed in three months. Her debut single, "Pon de Replay," was released in May 2005 and became a chart-topping hit, reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart. Her debut album, Music of the Sun, was released in August 2005 and received a gold certification from the RIAA. The album sold over 2 million copies worldwide.

Rihanna's second studio album, A Girl like Me, was released in April 2006 and was also a commercial success, reaching No. 1 in Canada and the top 5 in the UK and the US. The album's lead single, "SOS," topped the charts in the US and Australia, becoming Rihanna's first No. 1 hit. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA, and two more singles, "Unfaithful" and "We Ride," were released from the album.

Rihanna's early music career was marked by her unique talent, determination, and success in the face of challenges. Her partnership with Def Jam Recordings and her chart-topping hits established her as a rising star in the music industry, setting the stage for her future success as a global superstar.

Public Image of "Rihanna": Fashion Icon, Music Sensation, Philanthropist, and Activist.

Rihanna's public image has evolved over the years as she has grown from a young music sensation to a global superstar. She is known for her unique style, bold fashion choices, and trendsetting looks. Rihanna is also recognized for her philanthropic efforts and activism, particularly in advocating for diversity, inclusivity, and gender equality.

One of the defining elements of Rihanna's public image is her fashion sense. She has been known to push boundaries and experiment with various styles, from edgy and provocative to elegant and sophisticated. Her fashion choices have often made headlines and influenced fashion trends worldwide. Rihanna has also been involved in collaborations with top fashion brands, such as PUMA and Fenty, further cementing her status as a fashion icon.

Rihanna's public image is also shaped by her music, which is known for its versatility and genre-blending. She has released numerous hit songs spanning multiple genres, including R&B, pop, reggae, and hip hop, showcasing her artistic versatility and ability to continually reinvent herself. Her powerful vocal ability and captivating performances on stage have also contributed to her iconic public image as a talented musician and performer.

In addition to her music and fashion, Rihanna is recognized for her philanthropic efforts and activism. She has used her platform to speak out on social issues, such as racism, sexism, and climate change, and has been involved in various charitable causes. Rihanna has also been an advocate for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion and beauty industries, launching her own makeup line, Fenty Beauty, which has been praised for its diverse shade range and commitment to inclusivity.

Despite her success, Rihanna has also faced public scrutiny and controversy at times. Her relationships, personal life, and occasional provocative social media posts have been subjects of media attention. However, she has consistently remained strong, resilient, and unapologetically herself, which has contributed to her enduring public image as a bold and influential figure in the entertainment industry.

Overall, Rihanna's public image is characterized by her unique style, groundbreaking fashion choices, versatile music, philanthropic efforts, and unapologetic authenticity. She has become a global icon, inspiring millions of fans worldwide with her talent, style, and advocacy for social issues.

Rihanna's Real Estate Ventures and Earnings:

Rihanna owns a $14 million penthouse in Lower Manhattan, as well as a house in West London which she purchased for £7 million in June 2018 to be closer to her work with her FENTY fashion label.

In December 2018, Rihanna put her Hollywood Hills mansion up for sale after a break-in six months prior. The mansion was reported to have sold for $10.4 million.

Forbes began reporting on Rihanna's earnings in 2012, indicating her significant financial success.

Rihanna's Romantic Relationships:

Rihanna began dating American singer Chris Brown in 2007. Their relationship ended in February 2009 after a highly publicized domestic violence incident.

She then entered an on-again, off-again relationship with Canadian rapper Drake, which lasted from 2009 to 2016.

In January 2013, Rihanna confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that she had rekindled her relationship with Chris Brown, despite his probation for their previous domestic violence case. They broke up again in May 2013.

In 2017, Rihanna began dating Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel, but they split in January 2020.

On May 19, 2021, rapper ASAP Rocky confirmed in an interview with GQ that he and Rihanna were in a relationship.

On January 31, 2022, it was revealed that Rihanna and ASAP Rocky were expecting their first child.

On May 19, 2022, Rihanna gave birth to a son.

On February 12, 2023, during her Super Bowl LVII halftime show performance, Rihanna revealed she is pregnant with her second child, making her the first person to headline a Super Bowl halftime show while pregnant. The pregnancy was confirmed in a British Vogue cover story featuring her family, released days after the Super Bowl appearance.

Top 10 songs by Rihanna:

"Umbrella" (featuring Jay-Z) - Released in 2007 as part of the album "Good Girl Gone Bad", this hit single topped charts worldwide and became Rihanna's breakthrough song.

"We Found Love" (featuring Calvin Harris) - Released in 2011 as part of the album "Talk That Talk", this electro-pop dance anthem became a commercial success, reaching No. 1 in multiple countries.

"Diamonds" - Released in 2012 as part of the album "Unapologetic", this emotional ballad showcases Rihanna's powerful vocals and became a chart-topping hit.

"Stay" (featuring Mikky Ekko) - Released in 2013 as part of the album "Unapologetic", this heartfelt ballad received critical acclaim and peaked at high positions on various charts worldwide.

"Work" (featuring Drake) - Released in 2016 as part of the album "Anti", this Caribbean-infused dancehall and R&B track topped charts in multiple countries and earned Rihanna another No. 1 hit.

"Love on the Brain" - Released in 2016 as part of the album "Anti", this soulful and bluesy song showcases Rihanna's vocal range and received widespread acclaim from music critics.

"Don't Stop the Music" - Released in 2007 as part of the album "Good Girl Gone Bad", this dance-pop and electro-house track became a global hit and is known for its infectious beat.

"Only Girl (In the World)" - Released in 2010 as part of the album "Loud", this uptempo dance-pop and Eurodance track became a commercial success, earning Rihanna a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

"Take a Bow" - Released in 2008 as part of the re-release of the album "Good Girl Gone Bad", this R&B and pop ballad became a chart-topping hit and is known for its emotional lyrics.

"SOS" - Released in 2006 as part of the album "A Girl like Me", this uptempo dance-pop and R&B track became Rihanna's first No. 1 hit in the United States and showcased her early pop sound.