Robyn Rihanna Fenty known professionally Rihanna is a singer, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman born on February 20, 1988 in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados.
She is the daughter of accountant Monica and warehouse supervisor Ronald Fenty.

She grew up in a three-bedroom bungalow in Bridgetown and sold clothes with her father in a stall on the street. Her childhood was deeply affected by her father's alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction, which contributed to her parents' strained marriage. Rihanna's father used to physically abuse her mother, and Rihanna would try to get in between them to break up fights.

Rihanna grew up listening to reggae, hip hop and soca music. Rihanna was an army cadet in a sub-military program, where the later Barbadian singer-songwriter Shontelle was her drill sergeant. Although she initially wanted to graduate from high school, she chose to pursue a musical career instead.

Rihanna has named Madonna as her idol and biggest influence. She said that she wanted to be the "black Madonna" and praised the singer for being able to constantly reinvent herself successfully throughout her career. Another major influence on Rihanna's music and career has been Mariah Carey. She revealed that Carey's song "Vision of Love" "was the song that made her want to do music."

Rihanna was also influenced by Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, Beyoncé and Destiny's Child. Other musical influences and idols include Celine Dion, Grace Jones, Lil 'Kim, Alicia Keys, Prince, Fefe Dobson, and Brandy.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and honors, including 9 Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 13 American Music Awards, 8 People's Choice Awards, among others.