Rihanna’s Iconic Hit: How 2 Grammy Winners’ Rejections Led to Her Success 18 Years Ago

Celebrating 18 Years of “Umbrella”: A Look at Rihanna’s Journey

In 2025, the music world will commemorate the 18th anniversary of Rihanna‘s iconic hit single, “Umbrella.”By the time it was released on March 29, 2007, Rihanna was already gaining traction with earlier tracks like “SOS”and “Unfaithful.”However, it was “Umbrella,”produced by industry heavyweights Jay-Z, The-Dream, Christopher “Tricky”Stewart, and Kuk Harrell, that solidified her position as a superstar.

“Umbrella”not only became a landmark moment in Rihanna’s career but also established an enduring legacy in pop culture. This track has persisted in the hearts and playlists of listeners for nearly two decades, a testament to its widespread appeal and relevance. Its remarkable streaming numbers continue to affirm its status as one of the most-listened-to songs in Rihanna’s extensive catalog.

“Umbrella”Reigns as Rihanna’s Biggest Spotify Hit

Rihanna’s Collaboration Hits: A Close Contender

Watch “Umbrella”Here

As per Kworb, “Umbrella”stands tall as Rihanna’s most-streamed single as a solo artist, eclipsed only by her collaborations with Calvin Harris—namely, “We Found Love” and “This is What You Came For.” Close behind in the rankings is her duet with Eminem, “Love The Way You Lie,” while “Love On The Brain”from her 2016 album, ANTI, rounds out her major solo hits. Remarkably, “Umbrella”leads the pack by nearly 100,000 streams, underscoring its impact and relevance.

Interestingly, the song that would propel Rihanna to legendary status almost did not happen. “Umbrella”was initially penned for Britney Spears; when she was unavailable, it was almost handed to Mary J. Blige. This twist of fate allowed Rihanna to embrace a song that would become synonymous with her artistic identity.

The Rejections That Paved the Way for “Umbrella”

Britney Spears: The First Choice Who Passed

Rihanna’s “Umbrella”was originally crafted with the intention for it to be a hit for Britney Spears. In 2007, while Spears was immersed in the production of her fifth album, Blackout, the song was created by the collaborative efforts of Tricky Stewart, Kuk Harrell, and The-Dream, who sought to offer Spears a powerful anthem amidst her public challenges.

However, when the demo, recorded by Taio Cruz, was presented to Spears’ management at Jive Records, it was ultimately dismissed. Management felt that Spears had enough songs already lined up for her album and believed “Umbrella”didn’t fit her artistic direction at that time. Cruz recounted to the Telegraph that they decided, “It doesn’t work for her.” This pivotal decision opened the door for an upcoming star.

Mary J. Blige: The Next Contender Who Couldn’t

With Britney Spears out of consideration, the song was then offered to Mary J. Blige. Unfortunately for Blige, it arrived at a particularly busy period for her professional career—around the time of the Grammy Awards. Reflecting on the moment during an episode of Bravo TV’s “Watch What Happens Live,”Blige shared, “I was nominated for eight Grammys, and I was trying to get myself together for that.”Caught up in her own endeavors, she felt that “Umbrella”wasn’t a good fit for her and ultimately passed on the opportunity.

In a twist of fate, the song eventually reached Rihanna, who eagerly embraced the opportunity. This decision proved monumental not only for her career but also for the music industry, reshaping pop culture as we know it today.

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