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On this day 15 years ago Rihanna made her debut with “Pon De Replay”. To commemorate #15YearsofRihanna I’ve composed a thread highlighting 15 ways Rihanna has impacted the music industry, revolutionized the worlds of beauty and fashion and, redefined the 21st century.
#1: The Influencer of a Lifetime:
Rihanna is arguably the first celebrity influencer of the digital age, her IG account was cited by Tom Ford as “the most important thing in fashion”. She merged the world's of fashion and social media ahead of the influencer frenzy of today.
Rihanna is arguably the first celebrity influencer of the digital age, her IG account was cited by Tom Ford as “the most important thing in fashion”. She merged the world's of fashion and social media ahead of the influencer frenzy of today.
#2: Shaping Musical Trends:
Rihanna seamlessly transitions from genre to genre spawning hit records with each genre she dabbles in, her genre-bending discography has aided the rise of several genres such as dancehall, EDM, R&B, dubstep, etc.
Rihanna seamlessly transitions from genre to genre spawning hit records with each genre she dabbles in, her genre-bending discography has aided the rise of several genres such as dancehall, EDM, R&B, dubstep, etc.
#3: The Covergirl of a Generation:
Rihanna has dominated the cover of every major magazine imaginable. She has made history gracing the covers of Vogue various times — either becoming the most covered black woman or the first black woman to grace the cover.
Rihanna has dominated the cover of every major magazine imaginable. She has made history gracing the covers of Vogue various times — either becoming the most covered black woman or the first black woman to grace the cover.
#4: Rih, The Hair Icon:
Rihanna has birthed a plethora of hair trends over the years, she's been a trailblazer for the mainstream representation of black hairstyles, her magazine covers/videos/appearances often pay homage to traditional black hairstyles.
Rihanna has birthed a plethora of hair trends over the years, she's been a trailblazer for the mainstream representation of black hairstyles, her magazine covers/videos/appearances often pay homage to traditional black hairstyles.
#5: Rih, The Empowering Womanist:
Rihanna has used various forms of art to reshape the tainted gaze of black women. Her lyrics, attitude, music videos have all highlighted the multi-layered experience of a black woman's sexuality & individuality.
Rihanna has used various forms of art to reshape the tainted gaze of black women. Her lyrics, attitude, music videos have all highlighted the multi-layered experience of a black woman's sexuality & individuality.
#6: The Ultimate Pop Muse:
2010's pop music summed in one artist: Rihanna. Rihanna's voice became THE staple in pop music leading top songwriters/producers to craft demos with the tone of her voice in mind -- these records often became hit records for other artists.
2010's pop music summed in one artist: Rihanna. Rihanna's voice became THE staple in pop music leading top songwriters/producers to craft demos with the tone of her voice in mind -- these records often became hit records for other artists.
#7: Social Media Queen:
Rihanna has been cited as one of the most influential people on the internet, whether she’s giving a clapback, uploading a selfie or speaking on injustices she’s built a social media presence that has bridged the gap between a consumer and the artist.
Rihanna has been cited as one of the most influential people on the internet, whether she’s giving a clapback, uploading a selfie or speaking on injustices she’s built a social media presence that has bridged the gap between a consumer and the artist.
#8: Queen of The Met:
Rihanna's impact on the Met Gala red carpet is intangible, she has created unparalleled moments of magic as only she could. She has emphasized to every celebrity and every stylist the importance of a red carpet moment at the Met Gala.
Rihanna's impact on the Met Gala red carpet is intangible, she has created unparalleled moments of magic as only she could. She has emphasized to every celebrity and every stylist the importance of a red carpet moment at the Met Gala.
#9: "I'm Such A Fucking Lady"
Rihanna's videos often landed her in controversy over the bold themes she's tackled but, her videos boast common themes of a black woman disrupting patriarchal norms by being in control of her sexuality and fully aware of her dominance.
Rihanna's videos often landed her in controversy over the bold themes she's tackled but, her videos boast common themes of a black woman disrupting patriarchal norms by being in control of her sexuality and fully aware of her dominance.
#10: For Every Woman:
Rihanna's critically-acclaimed lingerie line #SavagexFenty dismantled the long-standing business model of lingerie geared towards the male gaze pioneered by VSFS while emphasizing the importance of empowering every woman to feel sexy for themselves.
Rihanna's critically-acclaimed lingerie line #SavagexFenty dismantled the long-standing business model of lingerie geared towards the male gaze pioneered by VSFS while emphasizing the importance of empowering every woman to feel sexy for themselves.
#11: Rih, The Individualist:
If there's one rule in pop that Rihanna re-wrote on her own terms, it would be individuality. Rihanna has revamped her sound and image consistently, emphasizing to a new generation the importance of female pop stars developing lanes of their own.
If there's one rule in pop that Rihanna re-wrote on her own terms, it would be individuality. Rihanna has revamped her sound and image consistently, emphasizing to a new generation the importance of female pop stars developing lanes of their own.
#12: Philanthropy:
Rihanna's impact on the world as a philanthropist has been remarkable, her nonprofit organization The Clara Lionel Foundation raises millions annually through Rihanna's Diamond Ball, the funds are used to support global education and, emergency responses.
Rihanna's impact on the world as a philanthropist has been remarkable, her nonprofit organization The Clara Lionel Foundation raises millions annually through Rihanna's Diamond Ball, the funds are used to support global education and, emergency responses.
#13: The Mogul:
Rihanna’s has built an empire of music, fashion and makeup that challenges everything the world stands for, she’s a black immigrant woman unapologetic about her heritage. Her business acumen has changed the world for black creatives.
Rihanna’s has built an empire of music, fashion and makeup that challenges everything the world stands for, she’s a black immigrant woman unapologetic about her heritage. Her business acumen has changed the world for black creatives.
#14: Rih, The Fashion Icon:
Whether she’s starting fashion trends, creating magic on the red carpet or inspiring an entire collection there’s no doubt about Rihanna revolutionizing the fashion industry and becoming the greatest fashion icon of our time.
Whether she’s starting fashion trends, creating magic on the red carpet or inspiring an entire collection there’s no doubt about Rihanna revolutionizing the fashion industry and becoming the greatest fashion icon of our time.
#15: A New Generation of Beauty:
Rihanna’s beauty line “Fenty Beauty” changed the world of makeup forever by prioritizing every woman, every skin tone in an industry that typically casts them aside, today there is a new standard for makeup brands and the rest is history.
Rihanna’s beauty line “Fenty Beauty” changed the world of makeup forever by prioritizing every woman, every skin tone in an industry that typically casts them aside, today there is a new standard for makeup brands and the rest is history.
I hope anyone who takes the time to read this thread walks away with an even deeper appreciation of one of the most important women this world has ever witnessed, Robyn Rihanna Fenty in all of her glory. #15YearsofRihanna
