walking upstream…
Rihanna
photo: sigma · cc by 3.0 ↗Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty grew up in Bridgetown, Barbados, steeped in reggae, dancehall and soca before Jay-Z signed her to Def Jam in 2005 off the strength of "Pon de Replay." Over two decades she became one of the best-selling artists in history, pairing Caribbean rhythm with mainstream pop-R&B on hits like "Umbrella" and "Don't Stop the Music" while never losing the dancehall backbone she grew up on.
the sound in question
2007
UmbrellaRihanna
walk the tributaries ↓
Bob Marley1970s · Reggae / Roots reggae / Ska
Rihanna has called Bob Marley one of her all-time favorite artists, crediting him with paving the way for every artist to come out of the Caribbean; she kept a shrine to him at home and has covered his songs on tour. It surfaces in the loping, off-beat reggae phrasing and patois-flecked delivery she returns to throughout her catalog.
listen: upstream & here
1978
Is This LoveBob Marley
2011
Man DownRihanna
listen forPlay Marley's 'Is This Love' — a song Rihanna has covered live — then her own dancehall-riddim single 'Man Down': the same unhurried, off-the-beat reggae lilt, run through radio-ready pop production.
Mariah Carey1990s · R&B / Pop / Soul
Rihanna has named Mariah Carey a major influence, recalling that Carey's 'Vision of Love' was the song that first made her want to pursue music, and performing Carey's 'Hero' at her own high school talent show.
listen: upstream & here
1990
Vision of LoveMariah Carey
2012
StayRihanna
listen forPlay Carey's melisma showcase 'Vision of Love' next to Rihanna's 'Stay' — Rihanna doesn't chase Carey's runs, but you can hear the same instinct to let a stripped-down piano ballad showcase raw vocal control.
Whitney Houston1980s · R&B / Pop / Soul
As a child Rihanna sang Whitney Houston songs into her hairbrush so often that neighbors nicknamed her after it, and she later performed Houston's 'For the Love of You' at the audition that got her signed — Houston's crowd-filling, pure-pop vocal power is a clear touchstone for Rihanna's biggest uptempo singles.
listen: upstream & here
1987
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houston
2007
Don't Stop the MusicRihanna
listen forPlay Houston's euphoric 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)' then Rihanna's 'Don't Stop the Music' — both are built to fill a dancefloor on pure, uncomplicated pop joy.