Last update 03/07/2023
It was the first hit single by Barbadian singer Rihanna and launched her international career. The contemporary R&B and hip hop song sold around 8.6 million copies, becoming the best-selling single of 2007. But few people know that…
It was the first hit for the Barbadian singer. Rihannaseminal to her international career: Umbrella, the first single from Rihanna’s third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, sung with rapper Jay-Z, is the song that spends the most weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. A contemporary R&B and hip hop song has been sold with a circulation of about 8.6 million copies, becoming the best-selling single of 2007. In Italy it was the 7th best selling single of 2007.
Top Umbrella Awards
Entertainment Weekly named it number one on their 10 Greatest Singles of 2007, and Rolling Stone and Time ranked it number three on their 100 Greatest Songs of 2007. He also received two statuettes at the MTV Video Music Awards. And it earned Rihanna and Jay-Z a Grammy Award for Best Rap Collaboration, as well as nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Among other accomplishments, the single reached number one on the UK chart for ten consecutive weeks, the longest spell for a single in a decade.
Music video and silver paint
The music video for the single was directed by Chris Applebaum. And it also shows Rihanna’s naked body covered in silver paint. During the sessions, the set was closed except for Rihanna, Aplebaum and the cameraman. Rihanna also advised small details during filming, such as dancing on tiptoes (pointe shoes).
The video earned the Barbadian singer the Video of the Year award at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and the MuchMusic.com Most Viewed Video award at the MuchMusic Video Awards.
Sensational rejections of Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears
The song, written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell, Jay-Z and produced by Stewart, was originally written for Mary J. Blige, but was dropped by the singer. It was then suggested to Britney Spears: it was believed that the singer Baby once again, after the “out of control” phase of her life, could restart with a great catchphrase, perhaps for inclusion in the Blackout album. However, her record company turned her down, saying that the singer had enough songs for her record.
Umbrella official video
Interested in art, theatre, cinema, books, entertainment and culture? Follow our Facebook pages, TwitterGoogle News and subscribe to our newsletter
Originally from Salento, he moved to Rome to study. I learned to read at 2-3 years old. To write, I had to wait 4. Since then I have not stopped. Writing is my life, my knowledge, my memory. Like my work. It helps me grow and learn. Never feel like I’ve come, always be thirsty for knowledge.