Robyn Rihanna Fenty born on February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer with musical influences from pop, R&B, reggae, dancehall, and dance. Rihanna became known around the world with chart hits such as "Pon de Replay", "SOS", "Unfaithful"; "Break It Off", and more recently with "Umbrella" and "Shut Up and Drive".

Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados to Ronald and Monica Fenty. Her mother is Guyanese and her father is Barbadian. She has two younger brothers named Rorrey and Rajad. Rihanna went to Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then on to one of Barbados` Grammar (older secondary) schools, the Combermere School, where she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates. In 2004, she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant and performed in the Colours of Combermere School Show, singing Mariah Carey`s "Hero". At the age of 15, Rihanna received her big break when one of her friends introduced her to music producer Evan Rogers, who was vacationing in Barbados with his wife. Rogers, along with his partner, Carl Sturken, helped Rihanna record material in the U.S. which was sent to various recording companies. One copy of Rihanna`s work was sent to Jay-Z, who eventually signed her to Def Jam Records. Rihanna cites Alicia Keys, Beyonce and her Caribbean background as major musical influences. Rihanna also stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone that she admired and looked up to, having a fellow artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.


Music career

Music of the Sun
Main article: Music of the Sun
Rihanna`s debut album Music of the Sun, which she co-wrote, was released in August 2005. The first single released from the album was the track "Pon De Replay", which peaked at number two on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart due to considerable airplay. The second single, "If It`s Lovin` That You Want", was less successful than its predecessor, peaking on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 36, and number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. The album itself peaked within the top ten in Canada, and the U.S., and within the top forty in the UK. It has received platinum certifications in several countries, and received a Gold certification in the U.S. by the RIAA. To further promote the album, Rihanna toured as an opening act for American pop singer Gwen Stefani. The album sold over 500,000 units in the U.S. and over 2 million worldwide. The album features many dancehall songs that harken to her island upbringing. Because her second album, A Girl Like Me was released so soon after Music of the Sun, no more singles were released.


A Girl Like Me
Main article: A Girl like Me (Rihanna album)
In 2006, Rihanna participated in several endorsement deals, including for Nike and J.C. Penney. She released her second album, A Girl Like Me, in April 2006, less than eight months after the release of her first album. The album debuted at number five in the U.S. and number four in the UK. The lead single, "SOS", was used in her endorsement deal with Nike. The song became Rihanna`s first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also debuted at number one on the Hot Digital Songs chart. "SOS" peaked at number one in Australia and number two in the UK. The second single, entitled "Unfaithful", was written by R&B singer Ne-Yo, and addresses the feelings of guilt that the prot

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