Rihanna was honored in Billboard’s Top 25 Pop Stars of the 21st Century list, even though she has been on a music hiatus for nearly 10 years. This recognition is a clear testament to the lasting impact Rihanna has made on the global music industry.
Recently, Billboard revealed that Rihanna secured the 3rd spot in this prestigious list, drawing attention and excitement from music fans worldwide. Although she has stepped back from the music scene for a while, Rihanna’s influence remains undeniable, showcasing the significant contributions she made to the music world in the 21st century. Hence, Rihanna’s recognition at the top of this list is well-deserved.
Billboard summarized Rihanna’s illustrious music career: “With 14 No.1 hits on the Billboard HOT 100, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and numerous No.1 hits, Rihanna is the third greatest pop star of the 21st century.” Rihanna began her music career at the age of 17 after a successful audition with Def Jam‘s executives Jay-Z and LA Reid. She quickly found success with Pon de Replay, the lead single from her debut album, which reached No. 2 on the HOT 100. Her second album’s single SOS became her first No.1 hit on the HOT 100.
Thanks to early success, Rihanna established herself quickly and continued to evolve with each album. Her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, marked a major milestone in her career. The album title signaled her transformation from the “good girl” image to the bold, confident “Bad Gal” persona that fans have come to love.
One of Rihanna’s standout songs is Umbrella, a massive hit that topped the HOT 100 for 7 consecutive weeks. This success cemented Rihanna’s status as a pop music icon.
Thus, despite being away from the music scene for nearly a decade, Rihanna is still celebrated and acknowledged as one of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century for her remarkable contributions to the industry.
