RIHANNA’S DANCEHALL LEGACY

Rihanna is arguably one of the biggest pop stars of this generation, if not the biggest. After amassing 14 number one singles, 7 multi-platinum albums, and 30 top 10 hits, Rihanna is a living legend at the ripe age of 30. Her legend status is not up for debate. Rihanna has the third most number one singles in history and the third most top ten hits in history, putting her ahead of legends like Michael Jackson and vying to break records set by Madonna and The Beatles. With each album Rihanna transforms her image and approach, giving us a new spin on her artistry. With her ultra-inclusive Fenty makeup line breaking sales records and her ability to wear anything to rave reviews, Rihanna can do pretty much anything! Which is why the world is excited about the news of her forthcoming dancehall-inspired ninth studio album. This isn’t the first time that Rihanna has released dancehall-infused music as it is ever present in many of her biggest hits. Since her debut “Pon De Replay,” released in 2005 during a popular time for island infused music such as reggaeton and dancehall, Rihanna has sauced up every smash with her island girl swag. Artists like Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Beenie Man popularized the sounds of the islands during the early 2000s, which made the timing perfect for a 16-year old Rihanna to be signed to Def Jam by then-president Jay-Z. The Barbados native separated herself from her pop and R&B contemporaries by infusing her island style with Caribbean rhythms into pop, R&B, and even trap hip-hop.

Turn the volume up and listen to The Dd List’s Top 5ive Rihanna island-infused hits!

#5 Watch n’ Learn
Rihanna teaches someone how to love her on this dancehall album cut which became a fan favorite!

#4 Man Down
Rihanna shows her storytelling skills in this reggae hit which has been certified double-platinum!

#3 Pon de Replay
Rihanna’s dancehall rich debut was certified double platinum and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting up a record-breaking career!

#2 Rude Boy
Another chart-topper from Rihanna with an uptempo dancehall beat and ragamuffin elements. Spent five weeks at #1!

#1 Work 
Currently with over 1 billion views on YouTube, the lead single from Rihanna’s eighth album spent nine weeks at No. 1 and was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys.