The Barbadian pop diva is quickly becoming one of the most popular exports from the Caribbean island of Barbados. Rihanna is taking the music world by storm and has just won her first Grammy award at the 50th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on February 10th, 2008.
Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20th 1988, this young lady has achieved so much in the three short years since her career launched and all of it before she has even reached the age of 20!
This vibrant and energetic individual is the daughter of Ronald and Monica Fenty and sister to Rorrey and Rajad. She grew up in the St. Michael area of Barbados and went to Charles. F Broome primary school and then on to Combermere School, where she first rose to fame by winning the school beauty pageant.
Here she performed in the 'Colours of Combermere School' show, singing Mariah Carey's 'Hero'. Combermere School is one of the oldest schools in Barbados and is renowned for its musical programme.
In an interview with "Ins & Outs of Barbados", shortly after being discovered Rihanna said, "I studied music during my first year at Combermere School, but I dropped it after that." Even though she had stopped studying music she never gave up singing and said,
"I sang in the shower, in front of the mirror. Even the neighbour told me I was too loud!"
By the age of 15 she was introduced to music producer Evan Rogers who was on holiday in Barbados with his Barbadian wife. He immediately spotted her star potential and flew her to New York to meet his partner Carl Sturken, and they helped Rihanna record material, which was then sent to various recording companies.
It wasn't long before she had signed a recording contract with
Def Jam Records. Her first album was called 'Music of the Sun' and was released in 2005, and from this came her first hit single 'Pon De Replay', which reached number two in both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart, instantly making her a household name overnight.
To help promote the album Rihanna then went on tour as the opening act for Gwen Stefani. Since then Rihanna has toured all over the world visiting countries such as Canada, the USA, Europe and even Japan. Her second single 'If It's Lovin' That You Want' was then released making number 36 in the US Billboard charts and number 11 in the UK singles chart. By now Rihanna's exposure was becoming international and the decision was made to only release her third single in Japan, where it reached number 8 in the charts.
By the age of 18 Rihanna had released her second album 'A girl like Me' and this went straight to number 5 in the US Billboard Album chart. The first single released from this album was 'SOS', which was to become her first number 1 in the US Billboard charts, number 1 in Australia and Number 2 in the UK. The next single to be released from this album was written by R&B artiste Ne-Yo and was called 'Unfaithful' - this again made it in to the Top 10 in both the UK and US.
By now Rihanna's marketing potential was being recognized and she was signing contracts to endorse products such a Nike and Clinique. She has also made her acting debut in 'Bring it On: All or nothing'.
Her third album 'Good girl gone bad' was released in June 2007 and features Jay-Z and Ne-Yo. This album had reached platinum status within just seven weeks. The first single released from that album was 'Umbrella', which was released in March 2007. This went to number one in many countries and became a standing joke in the UK as it rained for the entire 10 weeks that it stayed in the number one slot! In 2007 Rihanna also released 'Shut up and Drive', 'Don't stop the music' and 'Hate that I love you' featuring Ne-Yo.
By 2007 Rihanna's talent was now being recoginsed in the shape of awards and she won World's Best-Selling Pop Female Artist & Entertainer of the Year at the 2007 World Music Awards.
Then she won Favorite Female Artist - Soul/R&B at the 2007 American Music Awards. She was also recognized and celebrated in her home country at The 2008 Barbados Music Awards where she won Pop/R&B Artist of the Year, Best Pop/R&B Single - Don't Stop the Music, Best Female Music Video - Shut Up And Drive, Song of the Year - Umbrella, Album of the Year - Good Girl Gone Bad, Female Entertainer of the Year and People's Choice Entertainer of the year
Rihanna received four Grammy Award nominations for 2008 in the categories of Record of the Year, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for 'Hate That I Love You' as well as Best Dance Recording for 'Don't Stop the Music', and she received her glory by winning Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for 'Umbrella' featuring Jay-Z.
Rihanna is now working on her fourth album due to be released at the end of 2008 and is living in San Diego. She still has a strong Bajan accent and is putting Barbados on the map when it comes to producing talented musicians. Rihanna is very close to her family and says she remains grounded and humble due to her Bajan upbringing.
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