Does Rihanna Write Her Own Songs?

Introduction

Since she burst onto the music scene in 2005 with her debut single “Pon de Replay,” Rihanna has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world. With numerous hit songs, albums, and awards under her belt, she has cemented her place in music history. But one question that has often been asked about her is whether she writes her own songs.

The Early Years

When Rihanna first started out, she was primarily known as a performer. Her first few albums featured a mix of songs written by other artists and songwriters, with only a handful of tracks written by Rihanna herself. However, as she gained more experience and confidence, she began to take a more active role in the songwriting process.

Collaborations

Like many pop stars, Rihanna has worked with a wide variety of songwriters and producers over the years. Some of her biggest hits have been collaborations with other artists, such as “Umbrella” (written by Jay-Z and The-Dream) and “Stay” (written by Mikky Ekko). However, she has also co-written many of her own songs, often with help from other songwriters.

Co-Writing Credits

Over the course of her career, Rihanna has been credited as a co-writer on many of her own songs. Some of her most notable co-writing credits include:

  • “Disturbia” (co-written with Andre Merritt and Chris Brown)
  • “Only Girl (In the World)” (co-written with Crystal Johnson and Sandy Vee)
  • “Diamonds” (co-written with Benny Blanco and Sia)

The Writing Process

So how does Rihanna approach the songwriting process? According to interviews with her and her collaborators, she typically begins by brainstorming ideas and melodies. She then works with her co-writers to develop those ideas into full-fledged songs. Sometimes she will write the lyrics herself, while other times she will collaborate with other writers.

Personal Experience

Many of Rihanna’s songs are inspired by her own life experiences. For example, her hit single “Rehab” was inspired by her tumultuous relationship with Chris Brown. Similarly, her song “Man Down” was inspired by a personal experience with gun violence.

The Future

As of 2023, Rihanna has not released a new album since 2016’s “Anti.” However, she has hinted that she is working on new music and has reportedly been collaborating with a variety of songwriters and producers. Whether she writes her own songs or not, there is no denying that Rihanna is one of the most talented and successful artists of her generation.

Conclusion

So, does Rihanna write her own songs? The answer is yes, but with a few qualifications. While she has co-written many of her own songs, she has also worked with a wide variety of other songwriters and producers over the years. Regardless of who is writing the songs, however, there is no denying that Rihanna’s incredible talent and unique style have made her one of the most iconic pop stars of all time.