Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in St. Michael parish, Barbados, to a Barbadian father and a Guyanese mother. Her early life was marked by exposure to Caribbean music, such as reggae, which would later influence her musical style.

At the age of 16, Rihanna was discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers in Barbados. Her demo was sent to Def Jam Recordings, where it caught the attention of Jay-Z, leading to a six-album record deal. She released her debut album, "Music of the Sun", which sold over two million copies worldwide. The album included her debut single 'Pon de Replay,' which became an international hit.