Bajan-Beauty

Pop princess Rihanna is not in the business of making urban music. Up until now, the 18-year old Bajan beauty has been mostly embraced by the mainstream audience due to the infectious dance feel of her first album Music Of The Sun. But with her second album, she's finally getting the love from the community of which she comes. "It’s a great thing coming from Barbados, and not even knowing that kind of music (pop), and having that audience embrace you," Rihanna tells BET.com.

With Reggae as her primary music influence, and R&B and hip hop a close second, Rihanna has quickly learned how to satisfy all audiences. "I guess the fusion of the three genres created a new sound, and the pop audience, they really love it, and they really embrace my music." The diverse musical offering is what makes her second album A Girl Like Me more appealing to the masses. As BET.com's "Artist of the Month" for May, Rihanna, who is set to star in her first film Bring It On: All Or Nothing, details what success is like for a new artist like herself.

How does it feel to be so successful right now?

It was totally unexpected, sometimes we get lost out here working so hard, and we don’t realize that our hard work has paid off. "S.O.S." is number one. It’s hitting them harder than it hit me.

Which genres of music most influenced your music?

A lot of reggae influence. I used to listen to a lot of Reggae. Soca, occasionally around Carnival time. R&B, hip hop is huge in the Carribeean. We weren’t exposed to a lot of Pop music. We weren’t exposed to all the records unless it was reggae.

When did you start singing?

I started singing in the shower, in the mirror, and performing when I was 8. My mom would always get mad. But I started doing shows when I was 12, 13.

How did you get picked up by Def Jam?

I was discovered by a producer, a couple of producers. They came to Barbados on vacation and one of my friends introduced me and he invited me to a studio in New York, and we started working on a demo, between Barbados and New York. We sent it out to a few labels. Def Jam called back first; they were really enthusiastic. We really loved their enthusiasm. I auditioned for Jay-Z. He signed me on the spot. He wouldn’t let me leave. It was the best feeling ever. I was so ecstatic.

What has been your biggest challenge since getting in the industry?

Biggest challenge for me is being away from everyone I know. All my family and friends are in Barbados. Right now, everyone I’m around are people that I don’t know. I’ve become friends with them, I have to learn to trust some people and that’s a hard thing to do.

The turnaround from the first to second album happened so fast.

The second one, I wanted to come out with it early. We felt like it was time. I feel like I’ve grown so much in the past year, I was basically thrown into the industry. "Replay" went to radio and started doing really well. I picked up on a lot of stuff by myself that it’s caused me to mature a lot, mentally and professionally. I feel like I’ve grown 5 years in the past year.

You’ve been compared to Beyonce. Is she an influence?

Oh definitely. She’s always been one of my favorite artists.

Is there a special someone in your life? A boyfriend?

No boyfriend. Still single. No nothing.

It would be hard to maintain a relationship though with your schedule now.

I guess it would be. I haven’t been in a relationship since I started. I can see it being difficult.

What is your favorite song off this album?

I think it would have to be, besides "S.O.S." and "Unfaithful," it would have to be "Break It Off" that features Sean Paul. We worked together on the song in Jamaica. I met up with him and he called me one day, like, 'I know you’re working on your second album.' This was the first song that I had the opportunity to work with an artist 1-on-1. Me and Sean wrote this song on our own.

You've written quite a few songs on this album. It seems like you're more involved this time around.

It just happened. This album is my baby. The second album is always more important and more crucial.

Have you been back to your hometown to perform?

Yes. The shows in Barbados are crazy. I just went there to launch the album, and I had a short performance there and it was nuts.

Piczo