Who is Rihanna

Rihanna was born February 20, 1988, on the Caribbean island of Barbados, as Robyn Rihanna Fenty. She went to Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then on to the Combermere Secondary School, where she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates.

In 2004, she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant and performed in the Colours of Combermere School Show, singing Mariah Carey's 'Hero'. At the age of 15, Rihanna received her big break when one of her friends introduced her to music producer Evan Rogers, who was vacationing in Barbados with his Barbadian wife, Jackie. Rogers, along with his partner Carl Sturken, helped Rihanna record material in the U.S that was sent to various recording companies. One copy of Rihanna's work was sent to Jay-Z, who eventually signed her to his record label.

Rihanna's debut album Music Of The Sun, which she co-wrote, was released in August 2005, led by the single 'Pon De Replay', which peaked at number two on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.

The second single, 'If It's Lovin' That You Want', was less successful than its predecessor. The album itself peaked within the top ten in Canada, and the US, and within the top forty in the UK. It has received platinum certifications in several countries and a Gold certification in the US. To further promote the album, Rihanna toured with Gwen Stefani. The album itself sold almost half a million copies in the US and two million worldwide. (read more)