Barbados won its first Grammy award in over 20 years on February 10 (2008), when the island's international teenage singing sensation Rihanna copped a golden gramophone for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Jay-Z).

Rihanna (real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty),  sported a youthful looking feather-trimmed blue dress from designer Zac Posen's spring collection, as she collected her award in Los Angeles, flanked by Jay-Z and in front of thousands of excited show attendees. 

It was an early birthday present for the young songstress, who turns 20 years old on February 20 (2008).

The vivacious Bajan used the live TV show to give her native Barbados a "shout-out" and praised her handlers, including American music producer-song writer, Evan Rogers, who discovered her during one of his many trips to the island.

Rihanna burst onto the international music scene in 2005 with a debut chart-topper "Pon de Replay". Since then she has produced three albums and a string of hits, including the very popular 2007 release "Umbrella", which she performed at the Grammy show.

In addition to her musical achievements, the well-travelled Barbadian has appeared on over a dozen magazine covers and won more than a handful of multi-million dollar commercial endorsements. 

She was named Brand Ambassador for LG's Chocolate cell phone, starred in a series of TV commercials for cosmetic line Cover Girl, represented the Nike women's shoe line and last week was crowned the sexiest female musician by the Internationally-known American lingerie brand, Victoria's Secret.

In Barbados, both Prime Minister David Thompson and Opposition Leader Mia Mottley congratulated Rihanna on her Grammy win.

Speaking on local radio, Miss Mottley said she actually called Rihanna immediately after her triumph to let her know that the award was a "tremendous achievement."

The 50th annual Grammy Awards was watched live on TV by millions of people around the world, including thousands in Barbados.