Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, is a Barbadian singer, actress, and fashion designer. Born to Monica (née Braithwaite) and Ronald Fenty in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna developed an interest in music from a young age, performing at local beauty pageants and talent shows around the island. In 2003, she was discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers while vacationing in the United States with her parents. Impressed by her vocal abilities, Rogers invited her to record demo tapes in his native New York City. These recordings eventually caught the attention of rapper Jay-Z, who signed Rihanna to Def Jam Recordings in 2005.
Rihanna's debut album, "Music of the Sun," was released later that year and peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 chart. Her second studio album, "A Girl Like Me," followed in 2006 and featured the hit single "SOS," which became her first worldwide number-one single. Rihanna's popularity continued to grow with subsequent albums such as "Good Girl Gone Bad" (2007), "Rated R" (2009), "Loud" (2010), and "ANTI" (2016). Throughout her career, she has won numerous awards and accolades, including nine Grammy Awards.
In addition to her musical success, Rihanna has also pursued acting roles in films such as "Bring It On: All or Nothing" (2006), "Battleship" (2012), and "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" (2017). She has additionally ventured into fashion designing, launching her own brand, Fenty x Puma, in partnership with luxury goods company LVMH. In 2019, she became the first woman to create an original brand for the French conglomerate.
Rihanna is known for her distinctive voice and musical versatility, exploring various genres including pop, R&B, dance, and hip-hop. Her influence on popular culture extends beyond music, as she has become a symbol of female empowerment and body positivity. She continues to inspire fans worldwide with her artistic endeavors and philanthropic efforts through the Clara Lionel Foundation, which she established in 2012 to support education and emergency response programs around the world.
Rihanna is not a common baby name, with only 20 children born between 2007 and 2009 combined.