Rihanna- Music of the Sun

By Lisa Dumas
Editor

Def Jam's newest singing sensation, Rihanna, has hit the music scene hard with her popular single "Pon De Replay." Shine recently caught up with the Barbados-born 17 year-old to find out what fans can expect from her album, and what she has planned for her future...

Shine: How would you categorize the music on your album?

Rihanna: It's a fusion of reaggae, hip-hop and R&B. I don't think it has a specific genre.

Shine: What got you interested in singing?

Rihanna: I always wanted to become a singer since I was young. I watched videos with Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey...

Shine: How did you end up auditioning for Jay-Z?

Rihanna: I met a producer vacationing in Barbados with his wife. His wife was American. My friend, she knows them. I met him and auditioned for him, and he was impressed. Finally we put a demo together and sent it to two labels. Def Jam happened to be the first call-back.

Shine: Were you surprised that "Pon De Replay" has become such a big hit?

Rihanna: We hoped it would. We believed in it. We didn't know it would happen so fast. I think it's fresh and different so people really grabbed onto it.

Shine: What can fans expect from your album?

Rihanna: A wide variety and types of songs. There's some lover's rock and mid-tempo, some really serious ballads, and a few upbeat songs like "Pon De Replay."

Shine: Who have been some of your musical influences?

Rihanna: Beyonce and Mariah...

Shine: Are there any other artists you admire in the music industry today?

Rihanna: Kanye West. He's just a musical genius and everything he touches turns to gold, whether it be as an artist or a producer.

Shine: What do you think sets you apart from other R&B artists today?

Rihanna: My style is different. It's not straight R&B. It's R&B and hip-hop, along with reggae.

Shine: You just moved to the U.S. this year. How different is it from living in Barbados?

Rihanna: The biggest difference is the reason for why I'm here. I'm here for a purpose, not just living here.

Shine: Beginning at such a young age, what do you hope to accomplish in your career, overall?

Rihanna: I can't tell you what I will accomplish, but I can tell you I will work hard to become the best and most successful artist I can be.***

Music of the Sun
Island Def Jam
IN STORES August 30!
www.defjam.com

There's nothing like the warm spirit of the Caribbean to re-energize a dry, stale season of the same old song and dance. And with summer fast approaching there couldn't be a better time for Barbados-born singer Rihanna to break into an industry that is eager to celebrate the next big thing. Thanks to multi-platinum island-born superstars like Sean Paul, Shaggy and Elephant Man, the mainstream has been primed for a rhythmic female star to step into the forefront of popular music.

Click on the links below and listen to "Pon De Replay"!

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