Happy Birthday, Rihanna! Let’s celebrate with a RiRi sing-along of sorts
Somebody grab the cake cake cake cake cake cake. The official #badgirl of pop music is celebrating her 27th birthday today!
Over the last decade (yes, she first graced us with her presence way back in 2005), Rihanna has provided us with seven popular albums and countless singles we hardcore love to jam to. From her dancehall beginnings with “Pon de Replay” to her most recent collaborations with Kanye West and Paul McCartney on “FourFiveSeconds,” Rihanna continues to reinvent her music like the pop queen pro that she is.
With her eighth album well underway, we can’t wait to see what kind of musical goodies she’ll be cooking up this year. For now, let’s take a stroll through some of the RiRi songs that stole our hearts and defined SO many of our best nights and most memorable car rides. “Umbrella” anyone?
“Pon de Replay”
Get ready to feel really effin’ old: It’s been a decade since Rihanna came out with her debut song, “Pon de Replay.” Anyone else remember seeing this video premiere on MTV? Though she was nothing short of a mystery, the 17-year-old Rihanna managed to capture our hearts (and get stuck in our heads) with this dancehall-inspired jam.
“Umbrella”
Alright, so maybe “Umbrella” had its share of radio overkill back in 2009, but six years later the song is pretty much pop music gold. Rihanna had the world bursting out in spontaneous “ella ella ella eh eh’s” for months. Come to think it, I still don’t think I’m over this song.
Any and all collabs with Shy Ronnie
I know, it’s an SNL skit, but Rihanna’s unbearably awkward relationship with Andy Samberg’s character, Shy Ronnie, has created some of the most lovable Rihanna moments to date. I don’t know about you, but I’m still quietly rooting for Shy Ronnie. I just want him to unleash his inner MC and rap in front of Rihanna . . . even if it’s just for a second.
“Stay”
Stripped of any bells and whistles, Rihanna toned it down for her beautiful collaboration with Mikky Ekko “Stay.” With no synths or drumbeats to hide behind, “Stay” isolated Rihanna’s vocals and reminded us of just how talented she really is. This slower change of pace seems to be threaded in her new work, too. Perhaps a little somethin-somethin to look forward to on the new album? We’re holding our breath, Rihanna!
Happy birthday RiRi!
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