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Rihanna was born on February 20, 1988, in a county in Barbados called St. Michael. She lived the life of a normal island girl going to Combermere, a top sixth form school, similar to grammar schools in the UK. Rihanna won a beauty pageant and performed Mariah Carey's "Hero" in a school talent show. Her life changed forever when one of her friends introduced her to Evan Rodgers, a producer from New York who was in Barbados for vacation with his wife, who is a native. Rodgers arranged for her to go to New York to meet Jay-Z, CEO of Def Jam Records. He heard her sing and knew she was going to be big and for more than just one song. She was 16 when she was signed to Def Jam. Rihnanna's debut album is out now. It's called "Music of the Sun".

Was signed to Def Jam Records

Her musical inspirations include Alicia Keys, Beyoncé Knowles, and Mariah Carey.

Attended Combermere which is a sixth form school similar to technical school in America.

Performed Mariah Carey's "Hero" at her school's talent show.

Won a beauty pageant at her school.

Born to a black/Irish Barbadian father Ronald Fenty and a black Guyanese mother Monica Fenty.

She has two younger brothers Rorrey and Rajad.

Stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone that she admired and looked up to. Having a fellow black artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.

Ranked #8 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.

Sampled "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " by Michael Jackson from his " Thriller" album in her song "Please Don't Stop the Music".

Ranked #15 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.