Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. She rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with her debut single “Pon de Replay,” which garnered attention for its catchy Caribbean-infused sound and her distinctive vocal style.
Throughout her career, Rihanna has become known for her versatility as an artist, exploring various genres including R&B, pop, dancehall, and hip hop. Her music often features infectious hooks, powerful vocals, and bold lyrical themes, ranging from love and relationships to empowerment and self-expression.
Some of Rihanna’s biggest hits include “Umbrella,” “Diamonds,” “We Found Love,” “Work,” and “Love on the Brain.” These songs have topped charts worldwide and earned her numerous awards and accolades, including Grammy Awards and Billboard Music Awards.
In addition to her music career, Rihanna has also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as “Battleship” and “Ocean’s 8.” She has also launched successful business ventures, including her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty and her lingerie line Savage X Fenty, both of which have received praise for their inclusivity and diversity.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Rihanna is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and disaster relief. She has supported various charitable organizations and initiatives, using her platform to raise awareness and funds for important causes.
Rihanna’s influence extends beyond music and business, as she has become a cultural icon celebrated for her fashion sense, confidence, and boundary-pushing creativity. Her impact on popular culture is undeniable, and she continues to inspire fans around the world with her music, fashion, and activism.
1. Umbrella
“Umbrella” is a song by Rihanna, featuring rapper Jay-Z, released in 2007 as the lead single from her third studio album, “Good Girl Gone Bad.” The song became a massive commercial success and is one of Rihanna’s signature tracks.
“Umbrella” is characterized by its catchy melody, infectious beat, and Rihanna’s powerful vocals. The song’s lyrics, written by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, metaphorically speak about support and protection in a relationship, comparing it to an umbrella during a storm.
The collaboration with Jay-Z adds depth to the song, with his verse complementing Rihanna’s performance. Jay-Z’s rap emphasizes themes of loyalty and commitment, further enhancing the song’s message.
“Umbrella” topped the charts in numerous countries around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time and earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Beyond its commercial success, “Umbrella” has been praised by critics for its catchy hook, innovative production, and Rihanna’s commanding vocal delivery. The song’s impact extends beyond music, as it has become an anthem for empowerment and resilience, inspiring listeners to weather life’s storms with strength and confidence.
2. Don’t Stop the Music
“Don’t Stop the Music” is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna, released in 2007 as the fourth single from her third studio album, “Good Girl Gone Bad.” The song was written by Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tawanna Dabney, Michael Jackson, and Rihanna herself.
“Don’t Stop the Music” is a dance-pop and electro-disco song with influences of house music. It features a prominent sample of Michael Jackson’s song “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” from his album “Thriller.” The song’s lyrics are about dancing and having a good time, with the narrator encouraging listeners to let loose and enjoy the music.
The chorus features the catchy refrain, “Please don’t stop the music, music, music,” which is repeated throughout the song. Rihanna’s sultry vocals, combined with the infectious beat and energetic production, helped propel the song to commercial success.
“Don’t Stop the Music” became one of Rihanna’s signature songs, reaching the top ten in numerous countries and topping the charts in several. The song received critical acclaim for its catchy melody and infectious rhythm, and its upbeat vibe made it a favorite in clubs and on dance floors around the world.
3. Stay
“Stay” is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring Mikky Ekko. It was released in 2012 as the second single from Rihanna’s seventh studio album, “Unapologetic.” The song was written by Mikky Ekko, Justin Parker, and Elof Loelv, with production handled by Parker and Loelv.
“Stay” is a downtempo ballad with elements of pop, R&B, and soul. The song’s lyrics explore themes of love, vulnerability, and longing. The narrator expresses a desire for her partner to stay with her, despite the challenges they may face in their relationship. Mikky Ekko’s vocals complement Rihanna’s, adding depth and emotion to the song.
The chorus features the memorable refrain, “Not really sure how to feel about it, something in the way you move,” which captures the narrator’s uncertainty and emotional turmoil. Rihanna’s raw and emotive delivery, combined with the stripped-down production, creates a haunting and intimate atmosphere.
“Stay” received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised its emotive vocals and poignant lyrics. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top five in multiple countries and earning several certifications. Its music video, which features Rihanna and Ekko in a bathtub, further added to the song’s popularity.
“Stay” has since become one of Rihanna’s most successful and enduring songs, and it remains a fan favorite for its heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocal performance.
4. We Found Love
“We Found Love” is a song by Rihanna, featuring Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, released in 2011 as the lead single from her sixth studio album, “Talk That Talk.” The song became a massive commercial success and is considered one of Rihanna’s signature tracks.
“We Found Love” is characterized by its infectious beat, pulsating synths, and Rihanna’s emotive vocals. The song’s lyrics, written by Calvin Harris, explore themes of love, passion, and freedom, capturing the euphoria of being in a new relationship.
The collaboration with Calvin Harris brought a dance-pop element to the song, with his production elevating the track’s energy and creating an irresistible party anthem.
“We Found Love” topped the charts in numerous countries around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. It became one of Rihanna’s biggest hits, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
Beyond its commercial success, “We Found Love” has been praised for its catchy hook, infectious melody, and Rihanna’s captivating performance. The song’s music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, also garnered attention for its vivid imagery and portrayal of a tumultuous relationship.
“We Found Love” remains a fan favorite and continues to be celebrated for its impact on pop music, cementing Rihanna’s status as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
5. Diamonds
“Diamonds” is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna, released in 2012 as the lead single from her seventh studio album, “Unapologetic.” The song was written by Sia Furler, Benjamin Levin, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Rihanna herself, with production handled by Eriksen, Hermansen, and Benny Blanco.
“Diamonds” is a mid-tempo pop and R&B song with electronic influences. The lyrics metaphorically compare love to diamonds, highlighting its strength and endurance. The song’s message is about resilience and finding strength in difficult times, with the narrator expressing a desire to shine bright like a diamond despite life’s challenges.
The chorus features the memorable refrain, “Shine bright like a diamond,” which serves as the song’s central hook. Rihanna’s powerful vocals, combined with the uplifting melody and anthemic production, create an empowering and uplifting atmosphere.
“Diamonds” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries and receiving widespread acclaim from music critics. The song’s music video, which features visually stunning imagery of natural landscapes and Rihanna surrounded by diamonds, further added to its popularity.
“Diamonds” has since become one of Rihanna’s signature songs and remains a fan favorite for its catchy melody, empowering lyrics, and memorable hook. It has also been covered and sampled by various artists, solidifying its status as a modern pop classic.
6. Love on the Brain
“Love on the Brain” is a song by Rihanna, featured on her eighth studio album, “Anti,” released in 2016. The song was written by Fred Ball, Joseph Angel, and Rihanna herself, and it received critical acclaim for its soulful sound and Rihanna’s powerful vocal performance.
“Love on the Brain” is characterized by its retro-inspired R&B sound, featuring a lush arrangement of strings, piano, and a gospel choir. Rihanna’s vocals are particularly striking, showcasing her impressive range and emotive delivery.
Lyrically, “Love on the Brain” explores themes of love and longing, with Rihanna singing about the highs and lows of being in a tumultuous relationship. The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain of “And you got me like oh, what you want from me?” captures the intensity and vulnerability of love.
“Love on the Brain” received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised Rihanna’s vocal performance and the song’s soulful production. It became a fan favorite and was performed live by Rihanna on various occasions, further solidifying its status as one of her standout tracks.
Despite not being released as an official single, “Love on the Brain” received significant airplay and charted in several countries. It remains one of Rihanna’s most beloved songs, with its timeless sound and heartfelt lyrics continuing to resonate with listeners around the world.
7. Work
“Work” is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released in 2016 as the lead single from Rihanna’s eighth studio album, “Anti.” The song was written by PartyNextDoor, Rihanna, Drake, Allen Ritter, R. Thomas, Monte Moir, Rupert Thomas Jr., Aubrey Graham, Jahron Braithwaite, and Matthew Samuels, with production handled by Boi-1da and Kuk Harrell.
“Work” is a dancehall and reggae-pop song with elements of R&B and hip-hop. The song’s lyrics explore themes of love, attraction, and physical intimacy. The verses feature Rihanna and Drake trading verses and harmonizing, with Drake’s rap verses complementing Rihanna’s melodic vocals.
The chorus features the memorable refrain, “Work, work, work, work, work,” which serves as the song’s central hook. The repetition of the word “work” adds to the song’s hypnotic and infectious rhythm, creating a catchy and memorable melody.
“Work” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The song’s music video, directed by Director X, features Rihanna and Drake dancing and flirting in a dimly lit club, adding to the song’s sensual and intimate vibe.
“Work” received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its infectious beat and Rihanna’s vocal performance. The song’s dancehall influences also helped popularize the genre in mainstream music. “Work” remains one of Rihanna’s most successful and recognizable songs, and it continues to be a favorite among fans for its infectious rhythm and catchy hook.
8. Take a Bow
“Take a Bow” is a song by Rihanna, released in 2008 as the lead single from her re-release album “Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded.” The song was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Shaffer Smith, and produced by Stargate and Ne-Yo.
“Take a Bow” is a mid-tempo R&B ballad that features a piano-driven melody and showcases Rihanna’s emotive vocals. Lyrically, the song depicts the end of a relationship and portrays the emotions of betrayal and disappointment. Rihanna sings about realizing her partner’s deceit and calling them out for their actions, urging them to “take a bow” and leave the stage of her life.
The song was well-received by critics and became a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it became Rihanna’s third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Take a Bow” also received nominations for various awards, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
“Take a Bow” is noted for its catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and Rihanna’s powerful vocal delivery, making it one of her standout tracks in her discography. The song’s music video, directed by Anthony Mandler, features Rihanna in various dramatic scenes, further enhancing its impact and popularity.
9. Only Girl (In the World)
“Only Girl (In the World)” is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna, released in 2010 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, “Loud.” The song was written by Crystal Johnson, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, and Rihanna herself, with production handled by Eriksen, Hermansen, and Sandy Vee.
“Only Girl (In the World)” is an uptempo dance-pop and electro house song with elements of Eurodance. The song’s lyrics express themes of love and desire, with Rihanna proclaiming herself as the “only girl in the world” for her lover. The song’s infectious beat and catchy melody create a euphoric and celebratory atmosphere.
The chorus features the memorable refrain, “Want you to make me feel like I’m the only girl in the world,” which serves as the song’s central hook. Rihanna’s powerful vocals, combined with the pulsating rhythm and energetic production, make “Only Girl (In the World)” an anthemic and empowering dancefloor anthem.
“Only Girl (In the World)” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The song’s music video, directed by Anthony Mandler, features Rihanna in various colorful and fantastical settings, further adding to its vibrant and energetic vibe.
“Only Girl (In the World)” received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy melody and Rihanna’s vocal performance. The song remains one of Rihanna’s most successful singles and is often cited as a highlight of her discography. It continues to be a favorite among fans and remains a staple of Rihanna’s live performances.
10. Needed Me
“Needed Me” is a song by Rihanna, released in 2016 as part of her eighth studio album, “Anti.” The song was written by Rihanna, Brittany Hazard, Charles Hinshaw, Derrus Rachel, Khaled Rohaim, and Adam Feeney, with production handled by DJ Mustard, Twice as Nice, and Frank Dukes.
“Needed Me” is characterized by its dark and moody production, featuring sparse instrumentation, a slow tempo, and a hypnotic beat. Lyrically, the song explores themes of empowerment and independence, with Rihanna asserting her self-worth and confidence. She sings about a past lover who took her for granted, but now realizes that they “needed” her and regrets their actions.
The song received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised Rihanna’s vocals, the atmospheric production, and the song’s defiant attitude. “Needed Me” became a commercial success, reaching the top ten on the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The accompanying music video for “Needed Me,” directed by Harmony Korine, features Rihanna in a series of provocative and visually stunning scenes, further enhancing the song’s impact and popularity. “Needed Me” has since become one of Rihanna’s signature tracks, celebrated for its empowering message and infectious vibe.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
