“The ‘Umbrella’ Effect: How Rihanna’s Breakout Hit Changed Pop Music Forever”

EPISODE 406

In 2007, a 19-year-old Barbadian pop singer released the lead single off her third album. By doing so, she didn't just give us a timeless, undeniable banger -- she changed the way pop music is made, and became the global superstar that we know Rihanna to be today. In this episode we go back in time to unearth the origins of "Umbrella," and how the song blossomed as a result of many shifting currents in the music industry, the democratization recording technology, and the persistence of Rihanna and her team to record the song instead of the artist for whom it was intended.

Songs Discussed

James Brown "Funky Drummer"

Funkadelic "Get Off Your Ass and Jam"

Soft Cell "Tainted Love"

N.W.A. "100 Miles and Runnin"

Mya "Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do?)"

Britney Spears featuring Madonna "Me Against the Music"

Nine Inch Nails "The Hand That Feeds"

Rihanna "Pon de Replay"

Rihanna "S.O.S."

Shakira "Hips Don't Lie"

Rihanna "Umbrella"

Justice "Stress"

Usher "Love in This Club"

Childish Gambino "Bonfire"

A$AP Rocky featuring Skepta "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)"

Asher Monroe "Synergy"

Justin Bieber & Lil Dicky "Running Over"

Sabrina Carpenter "Espresso"