Rihanna has compiled a stout catalog of mega-hits and an impressive nine GRAMMY trophies since her career began in the early 2000s, but her knack for writing a hit song is only one component of her success.
Her empowering lyrics and confidence-heavy vocal delivery has helped create tough-as-nails feminist anthems like "Diamonds" and "Hard," while tracks like "Love the Way You Lie" — a collaboration with rapper Eminem — offer a mainstream audience an intimate look into the often-stigmatized problem of domestic violence. But that's just the beginning of how Rihanna has used her superstar status to uplift Black voices and marginalized communities.
In 2019, Rihanna launched her own fashion house and cosmetics brand called Fenty and Fenty Beauty, respectively, both titled after her surname. In both endeavors, she immediately championed diversity: The brand includes a size and gender-inclusive lingerie line, Savage X Fenty; her makeup line launched with 40 shades, many of which were intended for darker skin tones in colors that were previously difficult to find.
"Growing up, I wanted to be darker, always," the singer told T: The New York Times Style Magazine in 2019. "So making makeup, it wasn't even a thing I had to think about. I didn't really even know how bad it was, the void in the market for dark foundation, because all I'd seen was Black women put makeup on."
The superstar is also a staunch supporter of social causes such as the Black Lives Matter Movement and anti-police brutality advocacy. In 2016, she joined Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and a slew of other stars in a powerful PSA called "23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black In America," putting a spotlight on systemic racism and violence against Black people across the country.
Along with her entrepreneurial ventures, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on funding education and emergency preparedness and response. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation donated $5 million toward relief efforts.
And even as fans long for a new Rihanna album — she hasn't released one since 2016's ANTI — the singer has already done plenty to be considered one of her generation's biggest hitmakers. To date, she has 14 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and Rihanna has won nine GRAMMYs and has 33 nominations overall.
Watch the video above to get to know more about Rihanna's powerful impact on music, popular culture and the world. Keep checking GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Black Sounds Beautiful.