Rihanna Biography

Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988) is a Bajan singer with musical influences from pop, R&B, reggae, dancehall, and dance. Rihanna became known around the world with chart hits such as "Pon de Replay", "SOS", "Unfaithful" and more recently, with "Break It Off" and "Umbrella".

Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados to Ronald and Monica Fenty. Her mother is Guyanese and her father is Barbadian. She has two younger brothers named Rorrey and Rajad. Rihanna went to Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then on to one of Barbados' older secondary schools, the Combermere 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 wife. Rogers, along with his partner, Carl Sturken, helped Rihanna record material in the US which was sent to various recording companies. One copy of Rihanna's work was sent to Jay-Z, who eventually signed her to Def Jam Records. Rihanna stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone that she admired and looked up to, having a fellow black artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.

Awards and nominations * 2006: THE 20th JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD 2006- New Artist Of The Year * 2006: MTV Video Music Awards - Best New Artist (nominated) - SOS * 2006: MTV Video Music Awards - Viewer's Choice Award (nominated) - SOS * 2006: MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best New Artist in a Video - Pon De Replay * 2006: Teen Choice Awards - Female Breakout Artist * 2006: Teen Choice Awards - Choice R&B Artist * 2006: MOBO Awards - Best R&B Artist * 2006: BMI Urban Awards - Pon de Replay * 2006: MTV Europe Music Awards - Best R&B Artist * 2006: MTV Europe Music Awards - Best Song of the Year - SOS (nominated) * 2006: Billboard Music Awards - Female Artist of the Year * 2006: Billboard Music Awards - Pop 100 Artist of the Year * 2006: Billboard Music Awards - Hot 100 Artist of the Year * 2006: Billboard Music Awards - Hot Dance Airplay song of the Year for "SOS" * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Best Reggae/Dancehall Album - Music Of The Sun * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Best Dance Single - Pon De Replay * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Song Of The Year - Pon De Replay * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Album Of The Year - Music Of The Sun * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Best New Artist * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Female Artist Of The Year * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Best-selling Female Artist Of The Year * 2006: Barbados Music Awards - Entertainer Of The Year * 2007: Barbados Music Awards - Best Entertainer of the Year * 2007: Barbados Music Awards - Best Female Entertainer of the Year * 2007: Barbados Music Awards - Diamond Sales Award * 2007: Barbados Music Awards - Album of the Year * 2007: Barbados Music Awards - Best Soul / R&B Single - Unfaithful * 2007: Barbados Music Awards - Song of the Year - Unfaithful * 2007: NRJ Music Awards - Best International Song - Unfaithful

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