Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) born on February 20, 1988 is a Bajan singer with musical influences from R&B, pop, reggae and dancehall. Rihanna became well-known around the world with her chart hits such as "Pon de Replay", "If It's Lovin' That You Want", "SOS", "Unfaithful", and "Break It Off". In 2004, she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant and performed in the Colours of Combermere School Show, singing Mariah Carey's "Hero".
Rihanna received her big break after her age of 15 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.
Good Girl Gone Bad is the third album by Rihanna. The album will have a different feel from her past two album, with more up-tempo and mid-tempo melodies. Rihanna has been in the studio with Ne-Yo, Stargate, Timbaland for her new album recording and this album is set to be release on June 5, 2007.
"I think that's where I want to go on this one. You feel different every album, and at this stage I feel like I want to do a lot of up-tempo songs. I want to keep people dancing but still be soulful at the same time."
Rihanna confirmed she worked with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake on three songs including "Rehab" and "Let Me Get That". Other than the producers listed, Rihanna has been working with her label mate Ne-Yo, who wrote her top-ten hit "Unfaithful", on new material as well as vocal techniques. Rihanna hopes to record with Polow Da Don and Andre 3000 for this album. Ne-Yo, and Jay-Z are confirmed guests on the album. The lead single, "Umbrella" was produced by Christopher Stewart and Terius Nash, famous for producing Britney Spears' and Madonna's hit "Me against the Music".
Personally signed by Def Jam president and CEO Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Rihanna is a unique role model for West Indians back home and around the world. She created Believe, a public charity organization dedicated to assisting terminally ill children worldwide. Its mission is to assist and inspire children who suffer from life-threatening diseases including cancer, leukemia and AIDS. Believe raises funds and awareness for medical research, as well as for individual and institutional medical needs. The vision of Believe is to achieve what Rihanna has always strived for in her remarkable music career - “to inspire with hope, courage and love.”