Rihanna’s whole damn career is filled with hits and bops.
The Barbadian singer and performer, who released her first studio album – ‘Music of the Sun’ in 2005 has established herself into quite an icon when it comes to younger generation of music lovers.
With sales of over 250 million records worldwide, she is also one of the best-selling music artists of all time and boasts of no-less than 14 #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts – which is more than the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna and Janet Jackson.
The almost-20 years of her active music career has seen her grow exponentially as an artist and also as a Global crossover figure of Pop and RnB. With her soulful and husky, and at-times powerful voice, Rihanna has given an extra oomph-factor to songs like – Diamonds and Love On The Brain.
From her Caribbean-influenced bops from the debut CD to her latest free-spirited Hip-Hop/Soul inspired hits from ‘Anti’, we have curated a list of the definitive Rihanna tracks that you ought to know and appreciate if you’re a fan.
Here are the top 10 best songs by Riri:
10) What’s My Name?
Featuring guest vocals from Drake, the song was released in the year 2010 from Riri’s fifth studio album. A number one hit on Billboard charts and one of her best love-sex songs.
9) Please Don’t Stop The Music
Featured on her 2007 released album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’, the song was worldwide hit for Rihanna. The song also famously samples Michael Jackson’s “Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa” from his classic ‘Wanna Be Starting Something.’
8) Man Down
A unique number from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The funky and reggae tune was inspired by Bob Marley’s 1973 song “I Shot the Sheriff”. Proved to be a top 10 hit on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for Riri.
7) We Found Love
Featured on her 2011 released album Talk That Talk, this became one her career-biggest hits. The song achieved the #1 status on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed their for ten non-consecutive weeks, also giving producer Calvin Harris the biggest hit of his career and becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.
6) Rude Boy
A fan and critic-favorite, featured on her 2009 released album Rated R. Her sixth #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts with one of her most recognizable hooks.
5) Umbrella
Another signature sound associated with Rihanna and her catalog. Any list of her ‘definitive hits’ cannot be completed by this Jay-Z assisted hit released in the year 2007 and featured on her ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ album.
4) Four Five Seconds
A stunning vocal display by Riri, accompanied by Kanye West and Paul McCartney. Proved to be a Top 5 hit for the trio on Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.
3) Work
Featured as the lead-single on her critically acclaimed album ‘Anti’ released in the year 2016, this was an instant hit and a #1 for Rihanna and Drake. The sexy hip-shaking tune just naturally draws you to the dance floor and get dirty on it.
2) Love On The Brain
This is the song that allowed her to showcase her chops standing behind the microphone. Her craving shown through her raw vocals every time she hits the chorus of this fantastic track released in 2016, makes it her modern classic.
1) Diamonds
Featured on her seventh studio album Unapologetic released in the year 2012. This signature track was written by Sia and gave Rihanna wings to fly, while performing it live.
Honourable mentions to some other classic bops from the singer’s record-churning catalog would include:
Pon de Replay
Needed Me
Unfaithful
Rehab
This Is What You Came For
Stay
Only Girl
The Monster
Where Have You Been?