Rihanna

I’ve long wondered how Rihanna—and, more generally, pop stars—became famous.  I’m not sour about it, but I assume there’s something besides a good demo helping the process.  Relatives in the industry?  Winning small-town contests?  Sex?  Sending demos in?  Wikipedia reveals:

In 2003, at the age of 15, Rihanna received her big break when one of her friends introduced her to music producer Evan Rogers, who was vacationing in Barbados with his wife. Rogers, along with his partner, Carl Sturken, helped Rihanna record material in the U.S. which was sent to various recording companies. One copy of Rihanna’s work was sent to Jay-Z, who eventually signed her to Def Jam Recordings.

Cool—chance favors the prepared.*

Here’s a club thumper off her Good Girl Gone Bad album from last year.  They did their job with the beat; not so sure about that bridge.

Rihanna - Breakin’ Dishes

Here’s a live performance featuring her with long hair, which reminds me of how much better she looked with it.  I have to assume it was chopped to help her stand out; I don’t know anyone who thinks she looks better with the new look.

Breakin’ Dishes, live in Montréal, Sept. 24, 2007

Also, one of my professional goals is to hear a song I produced performed live in a comparable venue.

* cf. Louis Pasteur