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.

Rihanna released her second studio album, "A Girl Like Me", which featured the hit single 'S.O.S.' This song became her first to top the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Rihanna's third album, "Good Girl Gone Bad", was released and featured the chart-topping single 'Umbrella' with Jay-Z. This album marked a bold departure from her earlier image and earned her critical acclaim and several awards, including her first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Rihanna released her fourth studio album, "Rated R", which introduced a darker and more foreboding tone to her music. The album included the commercially successful single 'Rude Boy,' which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks.

Rihanna continued to release successful albums, including "Talk That Talk", "Unapologetic", and "Anti". "Anti", released in 2016, is often considered her magnum opus and included hits like 'Work' and 'Love on the Brain.' During this period, she also received the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and expanded her career into acting and entrepreneurship.

Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty, a cosmetics line that quickly gained popularity for its inclusive product range. This venture further solidified her influence in the beauty and fashion industries.

After a hiatus, Rihanna made her music comeback with the single 'Lift Me Up' from the Marvel movie "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". This song earned her her first Oscar nomination. She also performed at the Super Bowl 2023 while pregnant with her second child.