To some it may be a classic fairy tale, a dream come true. But to 17-year-old Robin Rihanna Fenty, the Barbados born singer who may be on her way to stardom, it’s simply a work in progress.
One year Rihanna was an unknown high school student in a small Caribbean nation, the next she has a hit tune on the international charts and is being flown across the country, traveling with a chaperone to major cities and to international capitals for the media and music lovers to see and hear.
“It’s like a dream coming true, it’s just the beginning,” was the way the confident 17 year old former Combermerian put it to the Carib News as she rushed from one press interview to another in New York City.
“Yes, things are happening quite fast, but no, I didn’t think it would happen so quickly,” added Rihanna, the singer of the hit tune, “Pon de Replay,” which is the number one song being downloaded from the Internet by pop music lovers throughout North America and reached number two on the Billboard chart of the top 100 mostly played pop tunes.
“Yes, I love it,” Rihanna added. “It’s not the attention that I am getting; really, it’s the success that the song is having and, hopefully, the album.”
A top music executive attributed Rihanna’s obvious talent and confidence to the people around her, including Def Jam, the music labeled that signed her and is now marketing her and to Evan and Jackie Rogers.
“Def Jam and Jay-Z are committed to her success because they see in her a super-star,” said the TV music executive. “Rihanna obviously has good people supporting her. That’s what you need in this business.”
That may explain why when Rihanna stepped on the same stage last Saturday with such tennis greats as Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova and Andy Roddick, plus ‘The Click Five’ and Jesse McCartney she took it all in stride as she sings her popular song before a large audience at the Arthur Ash Tennis Center in Queens. The event, “2005 Arthur Ashe Kids Day,” a kickoff for the 2005 U.S. Lawn Tennis Open Championships is to be taped for broadcast on television national and international television next month.
That appearance will be a prelude to a hectic period in which the Bajan is scheduled to be seen on a host of nationally televised shows and programs, beginning this week with an appearance on the “Today Show” on NBC television network. Rihana is also to sing at the World Music Awards presentation; the MTV Awards; and the kick-off show heralding the beginning of the 2005 season of the National Football League on ABC-Television. On that show, she will be singing alongside Hip-Hop’s superstar, Kanye West, whose story was on last week’s cover of Time Magazine as “the smartest man in pop music” today.
But that’s not all. In the works are appearances on “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno on NBC and “David Letterman” on CBS. Rihanna has just completed the filming in Los Angeles of her second music video, “If it’s Loving that you want,” which is being edited and soon to be aired on MTV. By the way, in the video, there are sand castles in the shape of a broken trident, a tribute to Barbados.
But is Rihanna giddy with excitement and how is she handling the media pressure?
Quite well, thank you.
“No problem, I have done some of these things before and I already have the drift of them,” Rihanna replied. “It’s just about getting them done.”
As Rihanna continues to reach for the stars, if you will, she has her mind focused on the success of the album, “Rihanna Music of the Sun.”
“Of course, we expect bigger things, like the album becoming platinum, and then some albums after that,” Rihanna declared. “We have a number of things that will take place to promote the first album and we are concentrating on that. We are confident it’s going to do well.”
By any measure, Rihanna is fortunate. The teenager from St. Michael was in the right place at the right time that enabled Evan Rogers, a talented and highly successful pop music composer and his Bajan wife, Jackie, to spot her powerful singing voice and for them to decide to do something about it. She was also fortunate that Rogers and his music partner, Carl Sturken, were able to create close to a dozen songs that suit her voice, drawing their inspiration from a mix of R&B, dancehall and reggae. She was equally fortunate to have both Evan and Jackie serving as surrogate parents while Rihanna is in the United States and away from Barbados.
To top that bill of good fortune, Rihanna points to the support, interest and attention of her biological parents who are in Barbados.
“My parents are very supportive, and they are very happy,” Rihanna said.
Rihanna was equally quick to praise both Evan and Jackie, describing them as being “excited about what’s happening.”
Reached at his home in Stamford Connecticut where Rihanna lives when she is in New York, Evan said that the Bajan was easy to work with and was destined to go even further.
“It’s all coming together nicely,” he said. “There are so many things being planned for her. It’s really very nice.”
For her part, Jackie said the other morning after driving Rihanna to the dentist that the teenager’s personality and drive were key factors behind the success.
“Rihanna is really a very nice young lady,” Jackie said.
hi rihanna i really like your song and every thing about you i mean the way you dance your eyes just everything, men i will like to see you physically if you must know me am, a nigerian a student too, 20 of age you know as i said initially i want to see by any means, any information of how we can see pls let me know bye for know
Hey rihanna how are you? I want to start off by saying congratulations! I’m a big fan of your music. I think you are really talented. You are a very beautiful young lady. It would be a dream come true for me to meet you. I’m 18 years old and live in Los Angeles Ca.
i love your music im 16 i wanna become a singer one day
I love you music. You are the bom gurl. I’m 16 and I’ve been singing every since I was 3. I wish one day me and you can do a duet together. That’ll be so awesome. People at school say I look just like you but You look ten times better than me. Well gotta go. Luv your Cd. p.s. can you come to malden school one day. Malden is very close to St. Louis.
hi rihanna i really like your song and every thing about you i mean the way you dance your eyes just everything, men i will like to see you physically if you must know me am, a nigerian a student too, 20 of age you know as i said initially i want to see by any means, any information of how we can see pls let me know bye for know
MSN Video has brought me to you. Just leave Santa a message on his Forum where artists can post and your in like flint. I liked the video If It’s Lovin, That You Want, by Rihanna. I enjoy the talented artists of today, they all have such bright colors and are so lively and cheerful making for a dull day is really someone to tune into and vibe with the dance. FORUM: http://forum.webwalking.info/webwalking/ and I hope to see some new pictures added too. Peace, Love, and Happiness to Robin Rihanna! Rihanna is added to my favorites at my music link.
Hey gyal! You got meh full support here. I just like u, but trini(and not as talented.) I even have some frens in St. Michael, they all 20 like me though. Thanks for representing us now, we caribs tight, ya hear? Bless! -Rebecca
Hi Rihana!
I like your music!You’re a great singer tho you’re new in this business,but i do hope you can try your best cuz you’ve got the looks,the voice and the brains!Good luck,hun!
hi rihanna. ur soo pretty. keep up the good work you have all the talents. jus dont get sold out. good luck babygirl!
hi rihanna!!! I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! i love ur music and ur the best person in the universe ur perfect in every way! IM UR NUMBA 1 FAN AND ALWAYS REMEBER THAT! i could sit and click through the music channels for hours once ive got started i will not leave untill i find ur songs !!!! I LOVE YOU !!!!! ur ma HEART AND SOUL !!!
i want to receive your newsletter, because I am a very big fan, but now I really don’t have any time, because I have crashed my father’s car and I have to repair it before he see it
hi girl
i like the way you dress,dance everything about you.
i am a big fan and your voice is fantastic
fordes
Hey gurl
i love ur dance steps nd d way u sing , it makes mi head blow. when i heard ur song PON DE REPLAY i felt u are d new princess uf r n b . i admire ur dressing and d way u sing , gurl ur d BOM.
hi bajan gyal,
jus luv d way ya dress,dance,sing,act and behave,u have a wel personality respect 4self and other.!!!!!!STAY_SOLID_!!!!!!BIG UPGOES 2 U AND PRODUCERS!!!!barbados#1fan[THUG BABY]!!!!!!
RIHANA WE LOVE U VERY MUCH HERE IN UGANDA AND MORE SO THAT NEW SONG ‘IF ITS LOVIN THAT U WANT’ THANKS FOR THE BEAT.I SALUTE RIHANA WITH ALL MY HEART IOVE U RIHANA. DO NOT GO IN FOR JAY-Z PLEASE REMEMBER BEYONCE SO DON’T GO BY P’PLES WORDS***** BY ANDREW
rihanna is the best singer known alive i will like to send a shout out to her cousin rebbecca tull who is in my class i love rihanna so much and i will like to meet her
hey
Rihana i love your music you are my best musician i love you so much can you do me a favour?could you please come to london ,and peform a con -cert i realy realy like your album please rember Beyonce,destinychilds please dont say p’ples words ******** by Bukky
Hi rihanna 2″ i am 1 of your biggest fans eva you just do not no how much i love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomuch you are one of the best female artists ever did you no you are som perfect brilliant gorgous pretty and most of all a wounderful singer i wish one day i could meet you for a couple of hours or come and visit one of your bestests concerts evar lots and lots and lots of love from danielle neal age 12xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE YOU LOTSXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
hey rihanna i luv ur music
keep goin wif da hard work
luv ya music
i wish 1 day i could meet u
that would be the best day of my life
luv u baizz
hi Rihanna .i whant you to know that i love your music and evry thing of you and i will lioke to have your mail address so that i can alwas mail you hope to here from you soon and i hope you will come to my country one day .i am from GHANA WEST AFRICAN i will happy to have you as my vester bye and i love you
Hey,Rihana just want to say i love your music and keepup the good work.
but remember beyonce girl.i dont want you and beyonce fighting over him.
much love and respect.
Rihannah..I’m 17 yrs old and I just wanted 2 say that I think u r a talented girl and U along wit beyonce inspire me to sing more..One day SOON..I hope to become a talented beautiful singer Like you..I love your music and style..Just like me..U like to be different but UNique and beautiful at tha same tyme..Keep up tha Good work and Make that $$!!
omg,will this really come at rihanna? THE rihana
wauw!
i just wanna say:i come from belgium.
you are really famous in here.
you are beautiful ,sweet and talented !
wauw
baay xxx
morocan belgian chik
Nice site. Thank to work…
Great job guys… Thank for you work…
beautiful online information center. greatest work… thanks
rihanna u r the best girl in the world ive ever known i live in uk but i have a feeling that i will come over to uk and see u one day and i hope that realy happens
i have your CD. my dad is Jamacan.i’m not.
hi rihana
as ur age plus d-o-b and lov ur music plus jay-z. ma advise is pls focus on ur talent and dont let them stupid guys still ur heart cos the music industry now is on compotition whereby if ur single isnt in top 10 ur off the record. i luv u so much and always want u 2be on top plus i pray for u.
bye
rihanna if i had to have a second mum i deffnetly pick u because u are a great friend and person and i know ill have a really good laugh with you.im from zimbabwe but i live in ireland now LATER
hey girl,
i love ur music and ur dance steps there r so totally mad!!!!!!
U ROCK
good job\
RIHANNA
Hey Rihanna! I just want to say I LOVE YOUR MUSIC very much! You are my lovely singer! Plaese write me! I love your “Unfaithful”. It is the best I have ever listened!!!!
Wasup Rihana! gal you rock! Your song, if it’s loving that you want, is ma favorite. My dream will come true when I get to see you physically.I am from Nairobi, Kenya and am studying Journalism at US international university. Go gal go!
Bumboclaat baby yo look good. memba dat keep up di good work. Rastafari Bless.
keep up di good work and work even harder next year 2 keep yo position in di muzik business baby. Dis is another caribbean person talking 2 you, jamaican badbowy Gritty seh mi luv weh ya do princess, Rastafari Bless Up Rihanna, ONE LOVE