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Through her music Rihanna Evolved into a global phenomenon which expands vastly past just the music industry. Starting her career In the late 90’s she soon transition from an upbeat pop dancehall genre to a much richer, melodic sound which tied her music down and gave it a very sultry characteristic tune distinct amongst thousand others in the Industry. From her debut of “good girl gone bad” in 2007 she began to solidify her position in the industry and on charts, 5 studio albums later her success keeps flourishing.
Her lyrics are empowering and for entertainment purposes mostly as she doesn’t use complex referencing, metaphors and\or distinct connotations, which render her songs relatable by a wider audience and easy to read as the messages are clear and to the point, a technique which has proven to be very successful seeing as her lyrics have become iconic through pop culture making them into tagline.
Being a black female in a predominantly male industry is no easy way in or out however she uses this to her advantage addressing this exact issue in a lighthearted relatable manner which results in getting the message across without loosing her audience. The lack of black female artists in the Industry at a high enough level to compete with Rihanna today make the competition between the A-list black artists even more intense. A huge way she communicates to her audience through her music is female empowerment, again not in a preachy, patronising “ we-can-do-it” tone but rather highlighting that exact power she sings about. Similarly, the same way that male black musicians would sing and\or rap about topics like sex and or their power and influence for decades on end often by objectifying and dismissing women, she uses her platform to turn the tables. Nowadays nobody really bats an eyelid over a male musician being overly sexual, rapping or singing about their success, money, drugs, women and their value however when Rihanna mirrors the same technique women globally are reminded that there is nothing wrong with being sexual and that a man is by no means a necessity. She conveys the same message through public appearances where she is held in very high regard by the fashion industry, by more often than not appearing at big events by herself where most other women are holding a man by the arm, which again translates to women not having to rely on men to legitimise their success or influence but rather; the most successful and powerful women often walk alone.
Video stills from "Pour it up" Directed by Rihanna
Often controversial but always memorable, her music videos are another way through which she delivers across messages and emotion. Described as “ Rated R” she uses the same method in the videos as she does for her lyrics, she highlights her power, success and influence while being undeniably sexy and confident. The videos could be put on mute all throughout and still have the same impact on the viewer, she is known to feature violence, explicit lyrics, cannabis and nudity which nowadays may seem like any other music video to any other cheap trap song however she maintains quality not only relying on her status as a frontrunner in the change occurring in the music industry for black females or (females in general) but also because she remains true to her beliefs and morals without watering down her core essence for views or cheap publicity.
Making history one song after another, an iconic outfit event after event or even just leaving her hotel and dropping a foundation with a range which expands up to 40 different shades, everything she touches turns to gold and all she sings into a microphone, very much a prophesy.
Video stills from "BBHMM" ( Bitch better have my money) Directed by Megaforce and Rihanna.