Career Timeline of Rihanna: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Rihanna built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress, recognized as the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century and the highest-certified female digital single artist by RIAA. As of 2024, she holds the position of the third wealthiest musician globally. Rihanna boasts seven U.S. diamond certified singles and 14 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. With an estimated 250 million units sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time and has received numerous accolades for her work.
2003: Forms Musical Trio and Auditions for Evan Rogers
In 2003, Rihanna formed a musical trio with classmates in Barbados and auditioned for record producer Evan Rogers, impressing him with her talent and presence.
May 2005: Release of 'Pon de Replay'
In May 2005, Rihanna's debut single, 'Pon de Replay', was released and became a worldwide hit.
August 2005: Release of 'Music of the Sun'
In August 2005, Rihanna released her debut album 'Music of the Sun', which debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200.
October 2005: Endorsement Deal with Secret Body Spray
In October 2005, Rihanna secured an endorsement deal with Secret Body Spray, marking one of her early ventures into business endorsements.
2005: Establishment of Westbury Road Entertainment
In 2005, Rihanna established her own label Westbury Road Entertainment, but released music through it starting in 2016.
2005: Signs with Def Jam Recordings
In 2005, Rihanna signed with Def Jam Recordings, marking a crucial step in her early career.
2005: Audition and Signing with Def Jam
In early 2005, Rihanna auditioned for Def Jam in New York City, impressing Jay-Z and L.A. Reid, which led to a six-album record deal after waiting until 3:00 AM for the contract to be drafted.
April 2006: Release of 'A Girl like Me'
In April 2006, Rihanna released her second studio album, 'A Girl like Me', which became a commercial success and charted in the top 10 in 13 countries.
August 2006: Acting Debut in Bring It On: All or Nothing
In August 2006, Rihanna made her acting debut with a cameo role in the direct-to-DVD film Bring It On: All or Nothing.
2006: Comparisons to Beyoncé
Around 2006, following the release of her second album, critics noted similarities between Rihanna's style, sound and material and that of Beyoncé. Rihanna acknowledged the comparisons but emphasized their different styles.
2006: First collaboration with Anthony Mandler on "Unfaithful"
In 2006, Rihanna collaborated with music video director Anthony Mandler for the first time on the music video "Unfaithful", marking the beginning of a long-standing professional relationship.
2006: Believe Foundation Creation
In 2006, Rihanna created her Believe Foundation to provide assistance to terminally ill children.
2006: Release of 'A Girl Like Me'
In 2006, Rihanna released 'A Girl Like Me,' her second studio album, which achieved top ten status on the US Billboard 200 chart.
May 2007: Release of 'Good Girl Gone Bad'
In May 2007, Rihanna released her third studio album, 'Good Girl Gone Bad', which embraced a new musical direction and topped charts in multiple countries.
September 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad Tour Begins
In September 2007, Rihanna began the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour, performing across the US, Canada, and Europe.
December 6, 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad Tour Concert
On December 6, 2007, Rihanna held a concert at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, as part of her Good Girl Gone Bad Tour, which was later released as a live video.
2007: Release of 'Good Girl Gone Bad'
In 2007, Rihanna released 'Good Girl Gone Bad,' which incorporated dance-pop elements and solidified her status as a pop icon. The lead single "Umbrella" was a success.
2007: Cartier Love Charity Bracelet Ambassador
In 2007, Rihanna was named one of the Cartier Love Charity Bracelet Ambassadors, representing a global charity.
2007: Vocal Training with Ne-Yo
In 2007, while recording her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rihanna took vocal lessons from Ne-Yo.
2007: Good Girl Gone Bad Album
Rihanna's third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, was released in 2007.
2007: Release of "Good Girl Gone Bad" and Image Shift
With the release of her third album, "Good Girl Gone Bad" in 2007, Rihanna adopted a more edgier image with a new hairstyle, dismissing her earlier innocent persona.
February 2008: H&M Fashion Against AIDS Line Collaboration
In February 2008, Rihanna helped design clothing for the H&M Fashion Against AIDS line to raise awareness and combat HIV/AIDS.
June 9, 2008: Release of Good Girl Gone Bad Live
On June 9, 2008, Rihanna released 'Good Girl Gone Bad Live', her first live long-form video featuring her concert at the Manchester Arena.
June 2008: Release of Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
In June 2008, Rihanna reissued her third studio album, 'Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded', with new songs that charted highly.
August 2008: Recording of 'Just Stand Up!'
In August 2008, Rihanna and other female singers recorded the charity single "Just Stand Up!" for the anti-cancer campaign Stand Up to Cancer.
September 5, 2008: Stand Up to Cancer Performance
On September 5, 2008, Rihanna performed "Just Stand Up!" live with fifteen other female artists during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special, which raised $100 million for cancer research.
September 2008: Contribution to "Just Stand Up!"
In September 2008, Rihanna contributed to the song "Just Stand Up!" with fifteen other female artists for the "Stand Up to Cancer" fundraiser.
2008: Grammy Award for Umbrella
In 2008, Rihanna won her first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Umbrella" alongside Jay-Z.
November 2009: Release of 'Rated R'
In November 2009, Rihanna released her fourth studio album, 'Rated R', which featured a darker and more foreboding tone compared to her previous albums.
2009: Release of 'Rated R'
In 2009, Rihanna released 'Rated R', blending pop, dance and R&B.
2009: Rated R Album Influenced by Chris Brown Assault
Recorded after the assault by her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown, Rated R had a much darker tone and was filled with various emotions she experienced throughout 2009.
January 2010: Charity Cover and Song for Haiti
In January 2010, Rihanna released her charity cover version of 'Redemption Song' and recorded 'Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)' with other artists for the Hope for Haiti Now campaign.
October 2010: Optus and Kodak Commercial Features
In October 2010, Rihanna appeared in an Optus commercial and a Kodak commercial with Pitbull, promoting her Last Girl on Earth tour and the Kodak brand.
October 2010: Signs with Roc Nation (Management)
In October 2010, Rihanna began to be managed by Roc Nation.
November 2010: Release of 'Loud'
In November 2010, Rihanna released her fifth studio album 'Loud', which produced three US Billboard Hot 100 number ones.
2010: Release of 'Loud'
In 2010, Rihanna released 'Loud', continuing to blend pop, dance and R&B.
2010: Positive Reviews for Vocals on Loud
In 2010, Rihanna's vocal performance on her album Loud received positive reviews from music critics.
January 2011: Release of First Fragrance, Reb'l Fleur
In January 2011, Rihanna's first fragrance, Reb'l Fleur, was released and became a financial success, expected to gross US$80 million by the end of the year.
May 2011: "Man Down" and "California King Bed" Single Releases
In May 2011, Rihanna released "Man Down" and "California King Bed" as singles. Both singles achieved moderate success.
June 2011: Loud Tour Begins
In June 2011, Rihanna embarked on her Loud Tour to promote her album. The tour included 10 sold-out nights at The O2 Arena in West London, making her the female artist with the most sold-out shows at that venue. The tour was the seventh highest-grossing tour worldwide of 2011.
November 2011: First Fashion Venture with Armani
In November 2011, Rihanna announced her first fashion venture with Armani, marking her formal entry into the fashion industry.
November 2011: Talk That Talk Album Release
In November 2011, Rihanna released her sixth album, Talk That Talk. The album debuted at No. 3 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the UK.
2011: Release of 'Talk That Talk'
In 2011, Rihanna released 'Talk That Talk', continuing to blend pop, dance and R&B.
2011: Controversial Music Videos
In 2011, Rihanna released three controversial music videos addressing sadomasochism, rape, and domestic violence. The "Man Down" video was criticized for depicting Rihanna shooting a man, and "We Found Love" sparked controversy for its portrayal of a drug-filled, unhealthy relationship.
February 12, 2012: Benefit Show at House of Blues
On February 12, 2012, Rihanna performed a benefit show at the House of Blues to raise money for children's programs.
February 2012: Release of "Rebelle" Fragrance
In February 2012, Rihanna released her second fragrance, Rebelle, with a promotional campaign shot by Anthony Mandler, who also shot the campaign for Reb'l Fleur.
February 2012: Grammy and BRIT Awards
In February 2012, Rihanna won her third Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "All of the Lights" with Kanye West. She also won Best International Female Solo Artist at the 2012 BRIT Awards for the second consecutive year.
March 2012: Collaboration with Chris Brown
In March 2012, Rihanna and Chris Brown simultaneously released remixes of Rihanna's "Birthday Cake" and Chris Brown's "Turn Up the Music". The releases were met with largely negative responses due to their history of domestic violence.
May 18, 2012: Battleship Film Release
On May 18, 2012, Rihanna starred as Petty Officer Cora Raikes in her first theatrical feature film, Battleship.
August 2012: Styled to Rock UK Premiere
In August 2012, Rihanna's first television program, Styled to Rock, premiered in the UK on Sky Living, where she mentored up-and-coming British designers.
September 2012: "We Found Love" Wins MTV Award
In September 2012, "We Found Love" won the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year, making Rihanna the first woman to receive the award more than once.
November 2012: $100,000 Donation to Food Bank for Hurricane Sandy Relief
In November 2012, Rihanna donated $100,000 to a food bank for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
November 2012: Release of "Nude" Fragrance
In November 2012, Rihanna released her third fragrance, Nude, adding another product to her growing fragrance line.
November 2012: Unapologetic Album Release
In November 2012, Rihanna's seventh studio album, Unapologetic, was released. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, marking her first No. 1 album in the country.
2012: Rihanna breaks Guinness World Record for digital single sales
As of 2012, Rihanna broke a Guinness World Record for digital single sales of over 58 million, and Nielsen SoundScan ranked her as the bestselling digital artist in the U.S.
2012: Acting Role in 'Battleship'
In 2012, Rihanna acted in the major role of 'Battleship', marking one of her early acting roles.
2012: Release of 'Unapologetic'
In 2012, Rihanna released 'Unapologetic', continuing to blend pop, dance and R&B.
February 2013: Rihanna Presents Fashion Collection at London Fashion Week
In February 2013, Rihanna presented her first women's fashion collection for British brand River Island at London Fashion Week, collaborating with Adam Selman.
February 2013: Grammy Win and UK Charts Success
In February 2013, Rihanna won her sixth Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video for "We Found Love" (2011). That month, the UK's Official Charts Company announced that she had sold 3,868,000 records in the past year, ranking No. 1 among 2013 BRIT Awards nominees.
March 2013: Diamonds World Tour Begins
In March 2013, Rihanna's fifth headlining concert tour, the Diamonds World Tour, began in support of her album Unapologetic.
May 6, 2013: 777 Tour Documentary Airs
On May 6, 2013, Fox aired a documentary about Rihanna's 777 Tour, which promoted the album Unapologetic.
June 2013: Appearance in This Is the End
In June 2013, Rihanna appeared in the Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg comedy film This Is the End.
July 2013: Budweiser "Made For Music" Campaign
In July 2013, Budweiser announced Rihanna as part of their global "Made For Music" campaign, alongside Jay-Z.
September 14, 2013: Release of "Rogue" Fragrance
On September 14, 2013, Rihanna's fourth women's fragrance, titled Rogue, was released, expanding her ventures into the fragrance industry.
October 2013: "The Monster" Release
In October 2013, Eminem released his single "The Monster" featuring Rihanna, as the fourth release from his album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013).
October 25, 2013: Styled to Rock US Premiere
On October 25, 2013, the US version of Rihanna's show "Styled to Rock" premiered on Bravo, featuring Rihanna mentoring emerging designers.
January 3, 2014: MAC Viva Glam Campaign
On January 3, 2014, Rihanna was part of the MAC Viva Glam campaign, benefiting people living with HIV/AIDS.
March 2014: Rihanna's sales figures in the United Kingdom
As of March 2014, Rihanna had sold over 18 million singles and 6 million albums in the United Kingdom, solidifying her position as a top-selling artist in the country.
May 2014: Signs with Roc Nation
In May 2014, Rihanna officially signed with Roc Nation, the record label that had managed her career since October 2010, after leaving Def Jam Recordings.
2014: Creative Director of Puma
In 2014, Rihanna became the creative director of Puma's women's line, overseeing apparel and footwear collaborations.
2014: Release of Rogue Men
In 2014, Rihanna released a male version of her fragrance titled "Rogue Men", expanding her fragrance line to include men.
March 2015: Rihanna Becomes the Face of Dior
In March 2015, Rihanna was chosen as the new face of Dior, making her the first black woman to represent the brand.
March 30, 2015: Co-ownership of Tidal
On March 30, 2015, Rihanna became a co-owner, along with other music artists, in the music streaming service Tidal, which specializes in lossless audio and high definition music videos.
July 1, 2015: Rihanna surpasses 100 million Gold and Platinum song certifications
On July 1, 2015, the RIAA announced that Rihanna had surpassed 100 million Gold and Platinum song certifications, making her the first artist to reach this milestone.
November 2015: Launch of Fr8me Agency
In November 2015, Rihanna and Benoit Demouy launched a beauty and stylist agency named Fr8me in Los Angeles to assist artists in booking commercials, editorial shoots, ad campaigns, and red-carpet appearances.
November 2015: Anti World Tour Announced
In November 2015, Rihanna's Anti World Tour was announced, scheduled to begin in March 2016.
2015: Acting Role in 'Home'
In 2015, Rihanna acted in 'Home', furthering her acting career.
January 28, 2016: Anti Album Release
On January 28, 2016, Rihanna released her eighth studio album, Anti, exclusively through streaming service Tidal.
March 2016: Anti World Tour Begins
In March 2016, Rihanna's Anti World Tour began, with Travis Scott supporting in North America and Big Sean at selected European dates.
June 2016: "Sledgehammer" Release
In June 2016, Rihanna released "Sledgehammer", a single from the Star Trek Beyond movie soundtrack.
August 28, 2016: Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
On August 28, 2016, Rihanna was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards after performing various medleys of her hit songs.
2016: First Clothing Line with Puma Debut
In 2016, Rihanna debuted her first clothing line in collaboration with Puma at New York Fashion Week, receiving positive reviews.
2016: Release of 'Anti'
In 2016, Rihanna released 'Anti' and showcased new creative control after leaving Def Jam.
2016: Release of music through Westbury Road Entertainment
In 2016, it was revealed that Rihanna would be releasing her music through her own label Westbury Road Entertainment, established in 2005, with distribution through Universal Music Group.
January 2017: Participation in Women's March
In January 2017, Rihanna participated in the Women's March in New York, protesting the day after President Trump's inauguration.
February 2017: Harvard University's Humanitarian of the Year
In February 2017, Rihanna was named Harvard University's "Humanitarian of the Year" by the Harvard Foundation, recognizing her philanthropic efforts.
July 21, 2017: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Release
On July 21, 2017, the film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, in which Rihanna played a major role, was released in the US.
September 8, 2017: Fenty Beauty Launch
On September 8, 2017, Rihanna's cosmetics company, Fenty Beauty, launched in stores and online in over 150 countries. The initial release included a diverse range of products and was praised for its inclusivity.
October 2017: Working on "insane" album
In October 2017, Shakka revealed that he was working with Rihanna on her "absolutely insane" album.
November 2017: Featured on N.E.R.D's Comeback Single
In November 2017, Rihanna was featured on N.E.R.D's comeback single "Lemon" from the band's album No One Ever Really Dies.
2017: Acting Role in 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets'
In 2017, Rihanna acted in 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets'.
June 8, 2018: Ocean's 8 Release
On June 8, 2018, the film Ocean's 8, featuring Rihanna as part of an all-female cast, was released by Warner Bros. and became a box office success.
August 2018: Filming Secret Project Guava Island
In August 2018, Rihanna filmed a secret project titled Guava Island in Cuba alongside Donald Glover, directed by Hiro Murai.
September 2018: Savage X Fenty Lingerie Brand Launch
In September 2018, Rihanna launched Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand known for its inclusive approach to shades and sizes, showcasing the brand at New York Fashion Week.
September 2018: Rihanna sells over 250 million records worldwide
As of September 2018, Rihanna had sold over 250 million records worldwide, solidifying her status as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
December 2018: New album in 2019
In December 2018, Rihanna confirmed that the album would be released in 2019, and later announced that it is a reggae project.
2018: Acting Role in 'Ocean's 8' and Named Barbados Ambassador
In 2018, Rihanna acted in 'Ocean's 8' and was appointed as an ambassador by the Government of Barbados.
April 2019: Guava Island Release
In April 2019, advertisements for Guava Island appeared, and the film, distributed by Amazon Studios, was released on April 13.
May 22, 2019: Fenty Fashion House Launch in Paris
On May 22, 2019, Rihanna's Fenty fashion house, under LVMH, launched in a pop-up store in Paris, marking her as the first woman to create a brand for LVMH and the first woman of color to lead one.
August 2019: "Private Loving" Registered
In August 2019, fans noticed that Rihanna and co-songwriters Collin Edwards, Monique Lawrence, and Alexander Ogunmokun registered a song titled "Private Loving" with the music publishing organization BMI.
September 2019: Savage X Fenty Show at New York Fashion Week
In September 2019, Rihanna promoted Savage X Fenty with a show at New York Fashion Week, featuring models and musicians, later premiering on Amazon Prime Video on September 20, 2019.
September 2019: Signs with Sony/ATV Music Publishing
In September 2019, it was announced that Rihanna had signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
September 20, 2019: Savage X Fenty Show Premieres on Amazon Prime Video
On September 20, 2019, the Savage X Fenty show from New York Fashion Week premiered on Amazon Prime Video, featuring models and musicians.
December 2019: Album Complete?
In December 2019, Rihanna alluded to her album being complete and indefinitely withholding the release date in an Instagram post.
March 2020: $5 Million Donation to COVID-19 Relief
In March 2020, Rihanna donated $5 million to COVID-19 relief efforts and provided PPE to New York and ventilators to Barbados.
March 27, 2020: Featured on PartyNextDoor's Song
On March 27, 2020, Rihanna appeared on Canadian singer PartyNextDoor's song "Believe It".
April 2020: $4.2 Million Donation for Domestic Violence Support
In April 2020, Rihanna and Jack Dorsey matched donations for a total of $4.2 million to support domestic violence victims during the lockdown.
July 2020: Fenty Skin Launch
In July 2020, Rihanna expanded her beauty empire by launching Fenty Skin, a skincare brand.
October 2, 2020: Savage X Fenty Show Renewed and Premieres on Amazon Prime Video
On October 2, 2020, the Savage X Fenty show was renewed for a third time, with appearances from musicians, and premiered on Amazon Prime Video.
2020: NAACP President's Award
At the 2020 NAACP Image Awards, hosted by BET, Rihanna accepted the President's Award from Derrick Johnson, recognizing her career achievements and public service.
February 2021: Fenty Fashion House "Put on Hold"
In February 2021, Rihanna and LVMH decided to "put on hold" the Fenty fashion house due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing to focus on the SavagexFenty lingerie line instead.
February 2021: Support for Indian Farmers' Protest
In February 2021, Rihanna voiced her support for the Indian farmers' protest against farm bills via Twitter.
October 28, 2022: "Lift Me Up" Release
On October 28, 2022, Rihanna released "Lift Me Up", the lead single from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, marking her first solo musical release since Anti. The song earned her nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song.
2022: Clara Lionel Foundation Donates to Climate Justice
In 2022, the Clara Lionel Foundation donated 13 million euro to climate justice and climate resilience initiatives.
February 12, 2023: Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show
On February 12, 2023, Rihanna headlined the Super Bowl LVII halftime show, marking her first live performance in over five years and ending her boycott of the event. The show was a massive success, drawing 121.017 million viewers and becoming the most-watched halftime show in history.
2023: British Vogue Interview
In her 2023 British Vogue interview, Rihanna addresses the pressure and perfectionism surrounding her unreleased ninth studio album.
June 2024: Fenty Hair Launch
In June 2024, Rihanna launched Fenty Hair, a hair care brand designed for all hair types, textures, and routines.
2024: Third Wealthiest Musician
As of 2024, Rihanna is recognized as the third wealthiest musician globally, highlighting her significant financial success.
July 18, 2025: Scheduled Release of Smurfs Movie
On July 18, 2025, Rihanna is scheduled to voice Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs movie.
