Rihanna is Elle’s cover girl for June and it is the second time the magazine has featured her in a year. Back in the day, when I worked at the magazine, they always believed that putting a black woman on the cover would mean death at the newsstand. That thinking hasn’t really gone away but maybe being an “It” girl helps—even for a black girl. And Rihanna’s definitely an “It” girl.
The Bajan beauty popped on the scene 3 years ago but caught fire last year with that little ditty (as my grandmother used to say) “Umbrella.” It is still a catchy song but is it a career maker? Will folks be playing it 20 years from now? And if I went to see her in concert would she be singing to a track while dazzling me with dance moves? I saw Amerie once and she was dancing so hard that she actually forgot to sing at times. I also caught a bit of Ciara’s act at The Essence Music Festival last year and the only thing I remember about her performance was her dancing. But I digress…
I believe in this age where appearance is paramount and videos do so much to sell artists, Rihanna is hot because she is easy on the eyes. Fans want to look like her, dress like her who cares if she can really sing.
I do. And it makes me wonder whether an artist like say, Stephanie Mills, would have had a chance if she were released today. Stephanie’s power was, and still is in her voice, but her looks were more average than knock-out. Then again, a good stylist can do wonders for even an average-looking sister. Real singers still get signed today, but they don’t share the same kind of success as those elevated to style icon. Chrisette Michelle has promise but I have a feeling she is going to end playing the small venues instead of the arenas. And wouldn’t it be a powerful thing if the words of India.Arie resonated just as much as Beyonce. I say, why can’t they have it all too.
Rihanna In Her Former Life
Rihanna’s “Umbrella”
Stephanie Mills “Home”
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May 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I agree, it’s more about looks and persona/style lately than actual talent–although there are talented artists out there that get what they’re due. Actually, even if you don’t look hot enough, you can just get plastic surgery–look at Ashlee Simpson (after the boob job, nose job, lypo, and hair extensions, she became a spokesmodel for Skechers and started getting on magazine covers). And yes– although Rihanna is cute–it has been speculated that she’s had a boob job done, among other things, before Umbrella came out.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Didn’t know she had work done. The search for perfection starts so early.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Tracie Spencer, Shanice, Tamia, Chante Moore, all have nice vocals *real singers*, but where are they. Mariah Carey-Cannon (if you will) has a beautiful voice, but even SHE is giving into the dumb downed lyrics. Some say her songs are too hard to sing (if you can’t sing them listen to them), hence the reason for dummying down her lyrics. I’m sorry, but Touch my Body—plueeze! I am thoroughly disgusted with today’s music and won’t even get into the use of the same tracks…song after song, regardless of the music house that produces the music. Case in point, listen to Anthony Hamilton’s first CD and you will notice that every track uses the same BEAT! You will then more than likely conclude that several songs, regardless of the artist, use the same track/beat! Disgusted….
be well–only sister
August 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Rihanna is definitely setting a trend. She made girls and women want an edgy bob and paint their nails black. Her style and beauty is helping make her star that most people want to see more than hear.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:01 am
SHE SWAGGER JACKED KELIS, BECUZ KELIS HAS EVERYHTING RIHANNA HAS AND SHE NEEDS VOCAL LESSONS BECUZ HER SINGING MARIAH CAREY WAS JUST RETARDED
August 7th, 2008 at 8:20 am
She is not a singer/vocalist, she is a performer. A beautiful girl, but in the voice department an absolute zero. There are so many talented young women that I’ve heard sing in my neighborhood and at church, but it’s more than that. The music world isn’t about having vocal talent. You have to be willing to get down and dirty, basically sell your soul. You have exude sexuality that’s what sells. It’s about the visual not real talent. Rihanna may be able to slink around an umbrella, but she’ll never get my money. There is no way I’d pay to her perform and whine her way through a song….
September 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I agree with all of the post. I was just having this conversation with a group the other day about this. Where are the real singers? There are artist out there that can outsing Beyonce and Rihanna, but they do not have their cross over appeal, let’t be honest, “the white masses.” Young white men see Rihann and wnat to sleep with her so they buy her CD, young white women want to be her, cut their hair and dress like here, therefore more record sales.
So there you go, very little talent, but cross over appeal and you are a Star!
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Rihanna has dope style/stylist. But she DID NOT start the bob or black nail polish trend. Both of those were mainstream before she released good girl gone bad. She just took it to epic/almost costume like preportions.
That being said, she’s a performer more than an actual artist. But sometimes you just want to hear dancey pop music. Everyone doesn’t need to be mariah carey.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 am
Rihanna is a vocal stylist, plain and simple. I doubt she will ever be able to belt one out, but her songs are catchy, and have that pop appeal. These days, that’s all an artist really needs. Well, that and an amazing Glam Squad, which she definitely has.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Rihanna is okay, but she is not my favorite singer. One of my favorites has been (of the old skool) is Tina Turner whose songs are so much more vibrant and fun. Also, it seems as if Rihanna copies ppl a lot. I hear and realize that her current hairstyle and style is that of FEFE DOBSON, this Canadian half-black rock singer.
http://www.fefedobson.com/
November 11th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
First of all Rihanna can’t sing that good!! And when it comes to performing she is dull she dosen’t move that much. Her style I think was inspired by Fefe Dobson and the bob and the black nail polish please she did not start that!! the point is I don’t think she’ll have any other album as sucessful as good girl gone bad!! But she still is good I guess!!
December 31st, 2008 at 12:10 am
From the shoulders up, I think she’s funny looking, but I’m just a guy.
and I’ve always turned down the volume whenever I see her videos, but hey, I listen to Nat Adderly and Dinah Washington, what do I know, I’m just a guy,
Personally I think she’s the latest itineration of mind numbing devices meant to make Black girls believe it’s okay to be meaningless, shopaholics. But what do I know, I’m just a guy?
January 19th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I love rhianna..she is no nodoubt a fashion icon, and i do like her voice.I dont think its necessary that everybody have big over the top voices, I think her voice is appropriate for her style and energy…I like her glam-rock and funky hair cut..its cute. And her not so perfect voice gives her an edge…it sets her apart from the rest.. I dont think she’s trying to be Beyonce, J-Hud, or Mariah…thats the whole damn point
January 19th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
And actually, I belive she got alot of her stlye from Kelis, Kelis had the funky hair cuts, and crazy nail polish glam-rock fashion thing goin back in 2006..just watch the Bossy video, and everyone will see.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:23 am
plz. She’s gorgeous eye candy. NO voice. That’s it.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:29 am
Her stuff’s ok for strip club music I guess. Never bought an album, never will. She’s appears to be gorgeous (but without make up who really knows?) and she can carry tunes well enough, so obviously that’s what has helped her along. I’ll stick to my Aretha and Ella cds, thanks. But, if I did have daughters they wouldn’t even know who she was. Or BET for that matter. I do what I do (I pretty much sell sex legally online for a living) but I wouldn’t have my family following the herd and getting brainwashed by all this media crap. She’s just another example of money talking and sex selling. Talent is out of the picture.
March 10th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
she sounds like she is singing through a voice box. totally monotone. the only reason she got a grammy is because, like many cute artists, they get shoved down our throats.
March 12th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Folks. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Contrary to popular belief, Rihanna can sing [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEM39MA-yB8. I agree she is more beautiful than the average woman in R&B, but that shouldn’t be used against her. This is the truth about Rihanna. Rihanna can sing I will prove it. Look at this. Rihanna sings out of her range. She is not a Soprano or even a high Alto. She is a low alto. Rihanna would sing doo wob or Jazz in a low alto contest against Jennifer Hudson or Beyonce any day. The minute Rihanna opens her mouth and tries to sing hi alto or soprano, she feeds into the myth that she can’t sing. Case in point. I am a natural long distant runner. I could never run competion with Husain Bolt in a sprint, but he could never run a half marathon against me. If you listen to any song Rihanna sings live, you will notice that she has a great voice and she sounds nice when she is singing low alto. That is her natural voice. Some clever producer gets her to sing R&B because there is no money in Jazz. They knew her looks would get her over the R&B crowd, and it worked. Rihanna probably would sound better singing lounge music like Sinatra, better than Beyonce. She really can sing, but she is not big winded. Even if she knew how to dance, she wouldn’t be able to because she needs all the breathe she has.. BTW. She is more beautiful than Beyonce even with her forehead…
March 21st, 2009 at 8:08 am
Rihanna can carry a tune for all that it’s worth..though there are singers who can sing her BLEEP off to the other side of the Pacific. She’s all about the image really. She will not be where she is today if not for her producers, and her youth.
April 19th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Why are you all underestimating rihanna? she can sing. yes, it’s true. she’s no mariah carey but she’s been in the music industry for 3 BLEEPING years! she’s more than just a pretty face
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 am
F@#* all of you who think rihanna can’t sing!
July 9th, 2009 at 8:54 am
um, @anon, she’s been that long bcz the public was not interested, and she kept trying.
wtf ya’ll taking about gorgeous?? LOL. that’s a joke. i don’t know what ya’ll even saying about beautiful. if she was a waitress, ya’ll would never even notice her so called “beauty.” she is an attractive girl, that’s it. i see prettier girls everyday. i’m prettier. she can’t sing, can’t dance, can’t entertain. end of story. yawn, just talking about her bores me.
September 12th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Stephanie Mills is not average looking….she is very attractive.
Rihanna’s facial features are attractive, but if Rihanna wasn’t light NO ONE WOULD CARE ABOUT HER.
October 4th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
The newest generation of vocal artists has declined in the last decade. Whereas talent through sound used to be your golden ticket into a record deal, now it’s looks and sexuality. Rihanna’s vocals have NEVER been her strongest ally, it was her “pretty” face (and body) that made doors open for her. The most sickening fact of today’s society is that music artists are like porn stars with the right to choose rather or not they want to ultimately pose completely nude for profit. Other then that? ..They speak it, they act it, they suggest it, they show it. They don’t honestly care about the music, just the money. Rihanna and other artists that sell image first and foremost need to get off the repetitive, short winded lyrics that anybody can sing and perform songs that actually showcase their true talent and uniqueness. The key is not to imitate others who are already famous, but to carve your own path into the history books. Rihanna needs to put down the mic and stick to what modeling she does book shoots for. She’s famous not because of her voice, but because people are dumb enough to give her the air-time and the credit she doesn’t deserve.
October 16th, 2009 at 1:56 am
comon huge sixhead looks good but her singing isnt all that.i heard the incredlble forehead sing and she sounds like a white girl in a porn flick.all moan no groan.besides i agree with one the posts .like beyonce and mariah white dudes always look for something lighter to fatise about and think bout sleeping with them. beyonce’s no queen of soul either.her voice is so damn annoying im wondering my neighbors cats are singing at night waiting for me to hit they ass with a shoe or two.plus think bout it.the record company dont always promote the well desrving artists that pay dues.they go for the not talented women that could pass for mrs. america but cant sing a lick.ex britney spears,lady gag me with a rope etc.it’s america.they ‘ll keep this bullshit up and pass it on like this lady is the next big thing, when they know damn well they hired martha walsh to sing on the album to promote that person.it’s the old smoke and mirrors gag.
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I think it is no secret that Rihanna is not among the most vocally gifted of performers these days. Her studio vocals are often mediocre (although I will admit she has a few vocally surprising tracks, such as “Kisses Don’t Lie” from her album A Girl Like Me), and her live performances are often too painful (again, vocally) to watch. I do believe, however, that with other performers like T-Pain, who relies HEAVILY and almost completely on autotune, Taylor Swfit and Hilary duff who “sing” with VERY LITTLE to NO vibrato, and the Jonas Brothers who think it’s cool to grunt and shout she is far from the worst. She’s no Whitney or Jennifer Hudson, but she definitely isn’t quite a Miley Cyrus or Cassie.
Also, why are so many people bringing up Beyonce in comparison? Sure, she may be SLIGHTLY overrated, and her music is played a tad much on the radio and MTv, but her situation is not comparable to this one. Beyonce, as shown in NUMEROUS ballads, has much vocal prowess. Her range may not be as Whitney or Mariah’s, but she has the vocal control necessary to be labeled as a professional SINGER. She is also great live. Unlike Rihanna, Fergie, and many other female artists of today, Beyonce is in the small group of women (such as Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, and Alicia Keys to name 5) who are just as great live as they are in the studio- vocally, of course.
February 21st, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Rihanna can't sing,she's half dressed most of the time and it's not about talent any more,can say Lil Wayne .R&b is dead too because Rap producers have found a way to take that away from it's true roots.Neo-Soul sound like some type of new super hero powers,we always had heart and soul in black music.Some of these weak artist with a gimmick and a good look are forced on us through radio,TV and even through movies with coon characters.
February 26th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
first rihanna definitely cant sing, secondly beyonce actually can sing, so don't even compare the two….and what the fuck are you talking about appeal to the white masses, only white men would want to bang rihanna, are you stupid? white girls want to look like rihanna? i really doubt that. but yes rihanna cant sing worth a shit, same with a good majority of female singers, so yes, it is more important to be attractive, if you're a female singer than to be talented in this era.