Rihanna is celebrating 20 years since the release of her debut album, Music Of The Sun, reflecting on her rise from Barbados to global superstardom.
The 37-year-old singer and Fenty Beauty founder took to X and Instagram to share a heartfelt message with fans, recalling her journey since leaving Barbados in 2005 to pursue music.
“I left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey that started with the release of my very first body of music,” she wrote.
“So many of you were a part of my life and career since the very beginning, and some of you have joined the adventure along the way. I’m forever grateful to all of you. Each of you played a very crucial role in where this journey has taken me thus far.”
Music Of The Sun was released in 2005 after Rihanna signed a six-album deal with Def Jam Recordings, led at the time by Jay-Z. The project featured the breakout hit Pon de Replay and marked the beginning of a career that would make her one of the world’s most successful artists.
Rihanna, born in Saint Michael, Barbados, first caught the attention of producer Evan Rogers in 2003 when she auditioned as part of a trio. Two years later, at just 16, she moved to the US after impressing Jay-Z enough to earn her record deal.
“Thank you for the greatest first 20 years ever! 20 years of the most loyal, die-hard fans that don’t play about me whatsoever, 20 years of hard work and hardworking teams around me, 20 years of lessons, 20 years of unforgettable experiences and accomplishments, 20 years of my family being my number one support system,” she added.
To mark the milestone, Rihanna has launched new merchandise and announced a limited-edition vinyl boxed set of her debut album on her website.
Her follow-up album, A Girl Like Me (2006), delivered hits such as SOS, Unfaithful and Break It Off, further cementing her place in pop music. Over the years, she has released eight studio albums, won nine Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.
Beyond music, Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, a brand that has since grown into a multi-billion-pound global empire.
