Rihanna!!!
| Rihanna | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robyn Rihanna Fenty |
| Born | February 20, 1988 Saint Michael, Barbados |
| Origin | Barbados |
| Genre(s) | Pop, R&B, dance-pop, reggae, dancehall |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Label(s) | SRP, Def Jam |
| Associated acts | Ne-Yo, Jay-Z, Ciara, Chris Brown, Sean Paul, David Jordan, Maroon 5 |
| Website | www.rihannanow.com |
Rihanna (pronounced /riːˈæːnə/;[1] born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian[2] singer. She is the second artist, and first female, from Barbados to have received a Grammy Award[3][4][5] (the first being Jimmy Senya Haynes).[6] Rihanna is currently signed to the Def Jam Recordings label.[7]
Since the release of Rihanna’s first album Music of the Sun in 2005 her music has gone on to become immensely sucessful in the United States and worldwide where she has amassed 10 top 40 hit singles on the US Billboard Charts and on the United World Charts in the span of only 3 years.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Also significant is that 8 of these singles have gone on to become top 10 hits while 3 went even further and achieved the number 1 position on these charts.
Early life
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados, to Ronald Fenty of Barbados[18] (of African and Irish ancestry)[19][20] and Monica Fenty, who is of Guyanese descent.[21][22] She has two younger brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty. Rihanna went to Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then on to 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. 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 Recordings. Rihanna cites Brandy Norwood, Beyoncé Knowles, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Bob Marley and her Caribbean background as major musical influences. [23][24][25] 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.[26][27][28]
Career
Debut and rise to prominence: 2005—2006
Rihanna’s debut album, Music of the Sun, was released on August 30, 2005, yielding two hit singles, the first being “Pon de Replay” which was released on August 22, 2005. This single became a huge success upon its release peaking at number 2 in the US on Billboard Hot 100 charts.[29] It also became a global hit where it peaked within the top 10 across 15 countries as well as achieving top 20 chartings on 20 charts around the world.[30] The single written by Carl Sturken, Evan Rogers and Rihanna was described by Rolling Stone magazine as a “poppy piece of dancehall reggae with slapping, syncopated beats recalling big-band jazz.”[31] The second single “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want” was less successful than “Pon de Replay”, but it became a hit nonetheless by managing to achieve a top 40 charting in the USA reaching a high of number 36. In Australia, Ireland and New Zealand the single proved to be well-recieved reaching the top 10 in those countries. Overall the single became a top 40 hit on 11 charts around the globe. Despite the album not having huge promotion and only releasing two singles Music of the Sun managed to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States and 2 million worldwide.[32]
Rihanna second album, A Girl like Me, was released in April 2006; less than eight months after the release of her first album. The lead single, “SOS“, was used in an 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. The song became her third top ten hit in the U.S. and in the UK. The third single, “We Ride“, wasn’t as successful as her previous releases, failing to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, however, it became her fifth UK top 20 single, where it peaked at number 17 on that chart and peaked at number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart. Rihanna’s fourth single from the album, “Break It Off” featuring Sean Paul, had already climbed to number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 based solely on airplay. A Girl like Me’s sales were significantly stronger, selling 1.2 million in the U.S and over 3.5 million worldwide[33][34][35]
In total, Rihanna has had 11 #1’s on the Billboard charts and has had major success on the Hot Dance Club Play chart with four number-ones (“Pon De Replay”, “SOS”, “Unfaithful”, and “We Ride”). When Rihanna received an endorsement deal from Clinique, she recorded a song written by Ne-Yo entitled “Just Be Happy” as part of the deal to promote their Happy fragrance. Rihanna also recorded a song called “Winning Women” with Cat Doll Nicole Scherzinger for P&G’s female deodorant Secret.
In addition Rihanna also made her acting debut in a cameo role in Bring It On: All or Nothing, which was released on August 8, 2006.
Breakthrough success: 2007—present
Rihanna went into the studio in early 2007 with Ne-Yo, Stargate, and Timbaland among others to record her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad. The album was released on June 5, 2007, features Jay-Z and Ne-Yo. Rihanna worked with Timbaland on three songs in the album. Justin Timberlake co-wrote and provides background vocals on “Rehab”.[36]
The album yielded 4 singles, including the world-wide #1 hit “Umbrella“, featuring Jay-Z. In addition to reaching #1 in various countries, “Unbrella” was the #1 single in the UK for 10 consecutive weeks, making it the longest running UK #1 single since Wet Wet Wet’s single “Love Is All Around“, back in 1994, and the longest running #1 by a female artist since Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You“, which also topped the chart for 10 weeks in 1992. By the end of the year, “Umbrella” was ranked second on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart in the United States;[37] however, due to the song’s world-wide chart dominance it was named the most successful song in the world for 2007, getting 8,160,000 points on the United World Chart.[38]
Her other two latter singles, ” Shut Up and Drive” and “Don’t Stop The Music” were able to mirror the success of “Umbrella”, with “Don’t Stop The Music” reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rihanna’s seventh top ten single and her fourth top five hit, while peaking at #1 in various countries, including the United World Chart. The fourth single “Hate That I Love You, featuring Ne-Yo, was able to peak at #7 in the U.S.
Starting September 12, 2007, Rihanna toured Canada and the United States in support of the album with several shows and then crossed to Europe. The tour was called called the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour, and it will be released on DVD in early 2008, featuring the show performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena on December 6 2007.
Rihanna premiered a new single, “Take A Bow“, on KIIS-FM’s On Air with Ryan Seacrest. The song will be backed by the re-issue of her third album, titled Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, which will be released on June 17, 2008.[39] It has so far peaked at #1 on the Hot 100 chart.
During this period in 2007, Rihanna insured her legs for $1 million.[40]
There are conflicting reports about her next album. MTV.com reported that Rihanna has now gone into the studio to start recording her fourth album,[41]. In the near future, Rihanna is scheduled to work with Ryan Tedder, who named her as “The Next Britney”.[42] She also states that she wants to work with T-Pain.
Future projects
Rihanna has teamed up with H&M and other celebrities like Timbaland and Good Charlotte for “Fashion against AIDS“. The collection is designed to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. It will be available at H&M in early February 2008.[43] She will be going on the Glow In The Dark Tour with Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and N.E.R.D.[44] Rihanna has recorded a duet with Ciara called “Tears Fall” for her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Rihanna has been cast to play the troubled and tragic sister of Otis Tlison, Carol in a film called Mama Black Widow, she will star opposite Kerry Washington, Mos Def and Brian J. White. The film is scheduled to be shot in the fall of 2008. [45]
Discography
- 2005: Music of the Sun
- 2006: A Girl like Me
- 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad
- 2009: Fourth Studio Album
Tours
- 2006: The Pussycat Dolls with Rihanna
- 2006: The Black Eyed Peas with Rihanna
- 2007-2008: Good Girl Gone Bad Tour including Ciara and David Jordan for UK section
- 2008: Glow In The Dark Tour featuring Rihanna
Awards
2006
| Award | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 20th Japan Gold Disc Award[46] | Won | New Artist of the Year |
| Barbados Music Awards[47] | Won | Album Of The Year for: Music Of The Sun’ |
| Best Dance Single for: “Pon De Replay” | ||
| Best New Artist | ||
| Best Reggae/Dancehall Album for: Music Of The Sun | ||
| Best-Selling Female Artist Of The Year | ||
| Entertainer Of The Year | ||
| Female Artist Of The Year | ||
| Song Of The Year for: “Pon De Replay” | ||
| BET Awards | Nominated | Best New Artist |
| Billboard Music Awards[48] | Won | Female Artist of the Year |
| Pop 100 Artist of the Year | ||
| Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year | ||
| Nominated | Hot Dance Airplay song of the Year for: “SOS” | |
| MOBO Awards[49] | Won | Best R&B Artist |
| MTV Europe Music Awards[50] | Won | Best R&B Artist |
| Nominated | Best Song for: SOS | |
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Won | Best New Artist in a Video for: “Pon De Replay” |
| Teen Choice Awards[51] | Won | Female Breakout Artist |
| Choice R&B Artist |
2007
| Award | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Barbados Music Awards[52] | Won | |
| Best Album Of The Year – A Girl Like Me | ||
| Best Entertainer of the Year | ||
| Best Female Entertainer of the Year | ||
| Best Selling Recording Artiste (Worldwide) | ||
| Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year for: “Unfaithful” | ||
| Best Dance (Pop) Single | ||
| Best Music Video (Female) for: SOS | ||
| Best Music Video (Female) for: Unfaithful | ||
| Digicel People’s Choice Award | ||
| MOBO Awards | Won | Best International Act |
| Nominated | Best Video for: “Umbrella” | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | Nominated | Best Director for: “Umbrella” (Director: Chris Applebaum) |
| Nominated | Female Artist of the Year for: “Umbrella” feat. Jay-Z | |
| Won | Monster Single of the Year for: “Umbrella” | |
| Video of the Year for: “Umbrella” | ||
| NRJ Music Awards[53] | Won | Best International Song for: “Unfaithful” |
| Nominated | New International Artist of The Year | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Won | Choice Music: R&B Artist |
| Nominated | Choice Female Hottie | |
| Choice Music: Female Artist | ||
| Choice Music: Single for: “Umbrella” | ||
| Choice Summer Artist | ||
| Choice Summer Song for: “Shut Up and Drive” | ||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Won | Ultimate Urban |
| Nominated | Most Addictive for Umbrella | |
| Solo | ||
| Annual VH1 Soul VIBE Awards Special[54] | Won | |
| VH1 Soul Video of the Year for: “Umbrella” | ||
| Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica | Nominated | |
| Best Pop Artist ? International | ||
| Song of the Year for: “Umbrella” | ||
| Premios Principales 2007 | Won | Song of the Year for: “Umbrella” |
| World Music Awards | Won | Female Entertainer of the Year |
| World’s Best-Selling Pop Female Artist | ||
| American Music Awards | Won | Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B |
2008
| Award | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 50th Grammy Awards | Nominated | Record of the Year For: Umbrella |
| Song of the Year For: Umbrella | ||
| Best R&B Performance By a Duo/Group W/ Vocals For: Hate That I Love You | ||
| Best R&B Song For: Hate That I Love You | ||
| Best Dance Recording For: Don’t Stop The Music | ||
| Won | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration For: Umbrella | |
| 2008 NRJ Music Awards[55] | Won | Best International Song For: Don’t Stop The Music |
| Nominated | Best International Artist | |
| ‘Barbados Music Awards | Won | Pop/R&B Artist of the Year |
| Pop/R&B Artist of the Year | ||
| Best Pop/R&B single For: Don’t Stop The Music | ||
| Best Female Music Video For: Shut Up and Drive | ||
| Song Of The Year For: Umbrella | ||
| Female Entertainer of the Year | ||
| People’s choice Entertainer of the Year | ||
| BRIT Awards | Nominated | Best International Female Artist |
| Image Awards | Nominated | Best Music Video For: Umbrella |
| ECHO Awards | Nominated | Female Artist of the Year (International) |
| Hit of the Year (National or International) For: Umbrella | ||
| Juno Awards | Won | Album of the Year (International) |
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Nominated | Best Video of the Year For: Umbrella |
| International Dance Music Awards | Nominated | Best R&B/Urban Dance Track |
| Best Pop Dance Track |




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