Born February 20, 1988 in Barbados

Feburary 20, 1988

Rihanna was born February 20, 1988 in Saint Michael, Barbados, to Ronald Fenty of Barbados (of African and Irish ancestry) and Monica Fenty, who is of Guyanese descent. She has two younger brothers, Rorrey and Rajad. Rihanna went to Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then on to the Combermere School, where she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates.

Rihanna's Big Break

January 1, 2003

In 2003, at the age of 15, Rihanna received her big break 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 U.S. 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 Recordings. Rihanna cites Brandy Norwood, Beyoncé Knowles, Mariah Carey and her Caribbean background as major musical influences.

Debut Album Released: Music of the Sun

August 30, 2005

Rihanna's debut album, Music of the Sun, was released August 30, 2005. The single Pon de Replay was written by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers alongside Rihanna herself and described by Rolling Stone magazine as a "poppy piece of dancehall reggae with slapping, syncopated beats recalling big-band jazz".

A Girl Like Me

April 1, 2006

Rihanna released her second album, A Girl like Me, in April 2006, less than eight months after the release of her first album. The album debuted at number five in the U.S. and number four in the UK

Rihanna's Acting Debut

August 8, 2006

Rihanna made her acting debut in a cameo role in Bring It On: All or Nothing, which was released on August 8, 2006; she also appeared on an episode of American soap opera All My Children.

Rihanna's Third Album

June 5, 2007

Rihanna went into the studio in early 2007 with Ne-Yo, Stargate, and Timbaland among others to record her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad. The album was released on June 5, 2007. It features Jay-Z and Ne-Yo as featured artists.

"Umbrella" wins Grammy

Feburary 10, 2008

Rihanna receives 6 nominations and wins the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy for song Umbrella at the 50th Grammy Awards, February 10, 2008.