Rihanna Biography

Singer. Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988 in Barbados. The eldest of three children, Rihanna attended the prestigious Combermere School, where she was a founding member of a musical trio and won the Miss Combermere Pageant.

At age 15, she was spotted by music exec Evan Rogers, who helped her record a demo of her unique sound, a mix of pop, reggae, dancehall and soca. She was subsequently signed to Def Jam records at age 16.

In 2005, Rihanna released her debut album, Music of the Sun, which synthesized Caribbean rhythms with urban-pop songwriting.

Thanks to a huge hit single, "Pon de Replay," and a promotional tour with Gwen Stefani, the album sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide. Less than a year later, Rihanna released A Girl Like Me.

The sophomore effort included her first number one single, "SOS," which was also used in an endorsement deal she signed with Nike. The second single, a heartfelt ballad called "Unfaithful," became her third top ten hit. In 2006, Rihanna won the Teen Choice Award for Female Breakout Artist.

In 2007, Rihanna released Good Girl Gone Bad, her third studio album, featuring the worldwide number-one single "Umbrella" with Jay-Z. When the album was re-released in 2008 as Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, it also featured the number one singles "Take a Bow" and "Disturbia."

Rihanna's personal life made headlines in February 2009 after she was allegedly assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown. Brown pled guilty to one count of felony assault that June and was sentenced to five years' probation and 180 days of community service, according to a report in People magazine.

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