Rihanna's debut album, Music of the Sun, was released August 30, 2005 from which, further singles were released, the first being "Pon de Replay" which was released on October 11, 2005 and reached position #2 in both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart and gained several #1 positions in various niche charts.
 The single itself was written by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers alongside Rihanna herself and described by Rolling Stone magazine as a "poppy piece of dancehall reggae with slapping, syncopated beats recalling big-band jazz."
However, despite Pon de Replay's commercial chart success, the album itself was rated 2½ out of 5 stars by Rolling Stone magazine and described as lacking the replay value, ingenuity and rhythm of the single with "generic vocal hiccups and frills" of US R&B inflecting upon her "caribbean charm". Since its release, the album reached the top 10 in both US and Canadian charts, gaining gold certification from the RIAA from selling 500,000 units and subsequent platinum certifications for selling 2 million units in various other countries. To further promote the album, Rihanna toured as an opening act for American pop singer Gwen Stefani. The second single, "If It's Lovin' That You Want", was considerably less successful than its predecessor, peaking at position #36 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 and position #11 in the UK. A third single, "Let Me", was released only in Japan, where it was a big hit, reaching #8 on the charts. Accomplishments
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On September 1, issue of The Times of India newspaper, Rihanna was listed as one of the four richest teens in Hollywood.[citation needed]
On September 9, 2007, Rihanna won the Monster Single of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards for "Umbrella". She also won the Video of the Year for "Umbrella".
She was ranked #8 on Maxim Hot 100 list of 2007.[34]
On February 10, 2008 she won the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy with Jay-Z for "Umbrella".
Discography
Main article: Rihanna discography
* 2005: Music of the Sun
* 2006: A Girl like Me
* 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad
Tours
* 2006: The Pussycat Dolls with Rihanna
* 2006: The Black Eyed Peas with Rihanna
* 2007-2008: Good Girl Gone Bad Tour including David Jordan for UK section
* 2008: The Glow In The Dark Tour featuring Rihanna |