Early Life
Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. She was raised in Bridgetown and had a modest upbringing with her parents, Monica (a retired accountant) and Ronald Fenty (a warehouse supervisor). Rihanna’s childhood was marked by her father’s struggles with addiction, which led to a difficult home life. She found solace in music, particularly reggae, and began singing at a young age.
Music Career
Rihanna’s big break came in 2003 when she formed a girl group with two friends. They auditioned for music producer Evan Rogers, who saw her potential and invited her to record demo tapes in the United States. This led to a meeting with Jay-Z, the then-president of Def Jam Recordings. After auditioning, she signed a contract with the label.
- 2005: Released debut album Music of the Sun (hit single: “Pon de Replay”)
- 2006: Released A Girl Like Me (hit songs: “SOS” and “Unfaithful”)
- 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad (breakthrough album with “Umbrella”)
- 2009-2012: Continued success with Rated R, Loud, Talk That Talk, and Unapologetic (“Rude Boy,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “We Found Love”)
- 2016: ANTI (featured “Work” with Drake)
Rihanna became one of the best-selling artists of all time, known for her genre-blending music and reinvention.
Entrepreneurship & Fenty Empire
Rihanna expanded beyond music into fashion and beauty:
- Fenty Beauty (2017) – Inclusive makeup line that revolutionized the beauty industry.
- Savage X Fenty (2018) – Lingerie brand known for body positivity and diversity.
- Fenty (2019) – Luxury fashion house under LVMH (first Black woman to lead an LVMH brand).
Acting & Other Ventures
She starred in films like Battleship (2012), Ocean’s 8 (2018), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) (voice in “Lift Me Up”).
Personal Life
Rihanna has been in high-profile relationships, notably with Chris Brown and Drake. She is currently in a relationship with A$AP Rocky, with whom she has two children.
Legacy & Influence
With 9 Grammy Awards, she remains one of the most influential artists of her generation.
