Your Ultimate Guide To Barbados

Rihanna

Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty and grew up in the lovely island of Barbados in 1988. She attended Charles F. Broome Primary and Combermere Secondary Schools in Barbados. Her discovery came about after producer Evan Rogers visited the island on one of his usual trips and she literally walked into his life. As a result of that encounter, Rihanna is Barbados' best successful internationally acclaimed R&B singer.

Her Musical Career

Rihanna has already made her mark as being one of the most consistent hitmakers in the pop music industry. Ths far her music is big across the United States and Canada and in more distant places such as China, Australia, Japan, Britain, Ireland and Europe. She stormed onto the world music scene with a debut Caribbean-flavoured chart-topper called "Pon de Replay" that Rogers co-wrote with colleague Carl Sturken.

Rihanna's career seemed to have rushed on at such a pace that by February 10, 2008 she found herself on the big stage accepting her first Grammy Award for the megahit "Umbrella" from her latest album "Good Girl Gone Bad". Amidst her achievements, not once has she forgotten where she came from as while on stage, she took full opportunity to mention Barbados.

By mid 2008, she had already released an impressive eight (8) top ten (10) pop singles in the United States over just an amazing three (3) year period. Among these were three (3) #1 smashes, "S.O.S.," "Umbrella,", and "Take a Bow." Among her most frequent collaborators are the production team Stargate and fellow DefJam artist Ne-Yo.

Celebration Time in Barbados

The excitement of Rihanna walking onto the stage and accepting that Grammy Award followed her all the way to Barbados. This historic occasion was painted on the lips of all for a long time.

Her entrance into Heroes Square, Bridgetown on February 21 at a large open-air concert hosted by the Government of Barbados, was nothing short of grand as she came  aboard a boat commanded by the one arm cancer Olympian Andrew Burke. She was celebrated in song and dance by the best musical and cultural talent Barbados has to offer.

Minister of Culture at the time, Steve Blackett, presented her with the news that she will now be named Honorary Cultural Ambassador for Youth and Culture.

Prime Minister David Thompson also added to this recognition by giving Rihanna a "piece of the rock" located in the exclusive and ritzy Apes Hill area in the parish of St. James.

Rihanna was also presented with a Land Rover compliments Warrens Motors in St. Thomas.

Spreading Her Wings

Though she started off with singing as her forte, Rihanna found herself very involved in the fashion scene as she graced many magazine covers in North America and Europe.

Rihanna's natural style has drawn much attention towards multi-million dollar commercial endorsements. LG's Chocolate cell phone named her Brand Ambassador for and she starred in a series of TV commercials for Cover Girl's cosmetic line.

She has represented a JC Penny jeans line and a Nike women's sportswear line. The pop star also scored the title of Sexiest Female Musician on Victoria's Secret 2008 What is Sexy?

Rihanna's Charity Work

In 2006, Rihanna created a Believe Foundation that was primarily set up to help terminally ill children. This initiative stemmed from a desire she had as a child when she saw young children suffering and knew from then that she wanted to do something to help. A simple act on Rihanna's part like signing autographs or even posing for photos for these kids is sometimes more than enough to help them through whatever ordeal they are encountering at the time.

As a result of her commitment to helping children, she has become a 2007 Cartier LOVECHARITY Bracelet Ambassador, performing at Madonna's Raising Malawi/UNICEF fundraiser and using her superstardom to help a mother of two find a bone marrow donor. Rihanna also supports charities which focus on disaster relief, AIDS and environmental issues.

Her charity work continues in one form or another as she also performed at a charity concert for Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation where she met some of the organization's Small Miracle kids and staff. In partnership with charities across the nation, Rihanna has performed a number of concerts to raise funds for both those charities and the Foundation.

Filled with effervescence, energy and a continuous determination to go places, Rhianna continues to make Barbados proud with each achievement she makes. Truly a young woman who has shown her appreciation by giving back even to those she knows nothing of.