Few singers have captured worldwide attention the way Rihanna has commanded her audience since her debut in 2003. The Barbadian singer and songwriter holds a Guinness World Record for the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century. Beyond that, Rihanna has achieved major monetary and digital success, crafting over 14 number-one singles.
Rihanna is known for her humble upbringing in Trinidad, forming a musical trio as an adolescent. She quickly caught the eye of producer Evan Rogers, and before long, she auditioned for New York-based hip-hop institution Def Jam, meeting luminaries Jay-Z and L.A. Reid. Rihanna’s third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad, was crafted with the expertise of noteworthy producers, including Tricky Stewart and Timbaland, and the artist charted an innovative, creative direction in uptempo dance tracks. 2007’s Good Girl Gone Bad topped charts in the U.S. and countries around the world, including Canada, Brazil, and the U.K. Receiving the most positive critique of her prior work, Good Girl Gone Bad has been released on vinyl as a double LP.
Rihanna’s success in music has transcended into success in other realms. Rihanna was named Best Dressed by Net a Porter in 2018, and she has also been recognized for her skill and influence in the world of social media, banking the number one placement on the 2012 Forbes list of Social Networking Superstars. While music provided the launchpad for Rihanna’s meteoric success, her reach has now extended to many other ventures, including her successful Fenty beauty collection and moonlighting as a designer for German athletic brand Puma.
