Supplied note - not independently verified
The song was inspired by Caribbean dancehall music and Rihanna's Barbadian roots.
View background statusRihanna
27 catalog entries, grouped by year.
ARTIST ESSENTIALS
Explore Artist EssentialsRihanna: a curated listening guide
Begin with the dance records and big refrains, then explore ballads, Caribbean rhythms and the more spacious textures of ANTI.
25 selections with release evidence; 3 beyond the yearly lists.
About Rihanna
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados, and began her recording career with Music of the Sun in 2005. The early dancehall flavor of Pon de Replay sits alongside the pop and dance settings of Good Girl Gone Bad and Loud. Later albums, including Rated R and ANTI, provide darker or more spacious arrangements around her voice. Collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z, Drake and SZA are part of that recorded range, while ballads such as Stay and Lift Me Up offer quieter entry points.
Artist background sources
Rihanna - official artist biography
Used for Barbados background, the debut album, and the progression through dancehall, pop and later album work. Mutable ages, promotional superlatives, chart totals and retrospective reissue-date claims are not used. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Music of the Sun - official original album
The 2005 original program lists solo Pon de Replay separately from its Elephant Man remix. The original vocal recording is selected, not the guest remix. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Good Girl Gone Bad - official original album and credits
Original 2007 album contains Umbrella featuring Jay-Z, Don't Stop the Music and Hate That I Love You featuring Ne-Yo. The original program excludes the later Take a Bow and Disturbia additions. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Loud - official original album and credits
Original 2010 album includes Only Girl, What's My Name featuring Drake and Man Down. Later single campaigns do not move those recordings to 2011. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Rated R - official original album and track list
Original 2009 album includes Russian Roulette and Rude Boy. Rude Boy's 2010 annual appearance follows the album release. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
ANTI - official original album, release date and full personnel
The explicit January 2016 release header and original track list identify Work featuring Drake, Consideration featuring SZA, Needed Me, Kiss It Better and Love on the Brain. The 2015 copyright line is not a public-release date. Other instrumentalists and additional-vocal personnel are distinguished from featured recording credits. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Unapologetic - official original album and credits
Original 2012 album includes Diamonds and Stay featuring Mikky Ekko. Stay's 2013 annual association is later than the original album. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Lift Me Up - official original single
The official release page gives October 2022 for the original Rihanna recording. The later 2023 annual appearance does not establish its first release. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
2005
2006
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song samples "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell and was chosen to showcase Rihanna's evolving sound.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song explores the guilt and pain associated with infidelity from the cheater's perspective.
View background status2007
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song was inspired by the energy of dance clubs and incorporates a sample from Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Uses car metaphors to describe a romantic encounter.
View background status2008
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song was inspired by the darker side of love and relationships.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song was inspired by the energy of dance clubs and incorporates a sample from Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song uses car metaphors to describe a romantic relationship.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song was written about the end of a relationship and moving on.
View background status2009
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song explores themes of anxiety and mental distress.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song uses Russian roulette as a metaphor for a dangerous relationship.
View background status2010
Supplied note - not independently verified
Female empowerment and sexual confidence
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The dangerous gamble of love
View background status2011
Supplied note - not independently verified
Celebrating life and good times with friends
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Wanting to feel special and loved in a relationship
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Exploring themes of sexual dominance and submission
View background status2012
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song celebrates finding strength and beauty within oneself.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song describes searching for love and finally finding the right person.
View background statusArtist background available
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados, and began her recording career with Music of the Sun in 2005. The early dancehall flavor of Pon de Replay sits alongside the pop and dance settings of Good Girl Gone Bad...
View background status2013
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song uses diamonds as a metaphor for finding light and beauty in oneself and others.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song celebrates wealth and success in the club scene.
View background status2015
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song was reportedly inspired by Rihanna's real-life financial disputes with her former accountant.
View background status2016
Supplied note - not independently verified
The complexity of a tumultuous relationship.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
The song reflects themes of independence and empowerment, inspired by Rihanna's personal growth.
View background status2017
Supplied note - not independently verified
The complexity of a tumultuous relationship.
View background status2022
Supplied note - not independently verified
Written as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman for the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" soundtrack.
View background status2023
Supplied note - not independently verified
Written as a tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman for the film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
View background statusALL 66 ANNUAL COLLECTIONS
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.