Tag: Rihanna

  • Rihanna makes first public appearance with A$AP Rocky after his release from jail

    By ANI

    LOS ANGELES: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky recently stepped out for the first time since the latter’s release from jail in a shooting case.

    According to People, the couple went on a “happy and relaxed” dinner date with a close group of friends at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday.

    “It was a happy and relaxed group. Rihanna looked great. She sat next to A$AP and they were affectionate. They dined for a couple of hours. The focus was very much on Rihanna and the baby,” the outlet quoted source as a saying.

    Rocky was arrested last week at Los Angeles International Airport in connection with a shooting that took place in November. He was detained by the Los Angeles Police Department after he arrived on a private plane a few days ago, returning from a vacation with Rihanna in her native Barbados.

    However, Rocky was released from jail a few hours after the arrest. His bail was set at USD  550,000. Meanwhile, Rocky and Rihanna are currently expecting their first child together.

  • Striking the Right Chord

    Express News Service

    She is all of 21, but the rich, full and vibrant voice of Chandrika Darbari, or RIKA as she is better known, is deceptive of her status as a newbie in the pop music scene.

    British-Indian pop musicianChandrika Darbari Swaying her fiery red hair from left to right and back, the young British-Indian musician performs with a kind of confidence exuded only by the biggest of the stars, writing and singing her rhythmic compositions.   

    Pop icons Mariah Carey and Rihanna are RIKA’s idols, and she will stop at nothing to emulate the artistic journeys of her role models.  “They are such strong, powerful and insanely talented women, which is how I like to align myself,” she says.

    RIKA is currently riding high on success after bagging the Artist of the Year, ASIA award at 18th annual Urban Music Awards 2022—another feather in her cap that is already sagging under the weight of the accolades she has accumulated in her short career.

    She broke into the professional music scene, when she took the world by storm at the age of 17 with her single No Need that was themed around bullying and racism. It topped the charts in India and became BBC Radio’s number one song of the week. Since then, she has rarely left the spotlight, quite literally. 

    In 2019, RIKA was the featured artist on the Brits’ ‘Sunday Spotlight’, and also won in the ‘Best UK Female Act’ category at the BritAsia TV Music Awards. 

    She received the ‘Rising Star’ award at the ninth Asian Awards the same year. She is also the first teen Asian-British artiste to be signed by Virgin EMI Record Labels.

    For her latest achievement at the Urban Music Awards, she impressively beat several established artists, many of whom have been enjoying overwhelming fandom for several years in India. The list includes B Praak, Gurj Sidhu, Sidhu Moose Wala, Neha Kakkar, Jasmine Sandlas, Pak–Man, Ezu, PropheC and Karan Aujla.

    But the young artist is careful not to let success go to her head. Not after receiving numerous awards. Not even after she became the first artiste last year to be signed by Warner Music India, which is attempting to bring more Indian sounds to the global stage.

    For RIKA, her fans’ appreciation and adulation is her number one award. She says, “The support for my music and the love I receive is the biggest award of all.”

    RIKA began her journey as a musician at the age of nine, when she joined her school choir, and never looked back. Born to a Serbian mother and an Indian father, her multicultural upbringing had a significant impact on her art.

    RIKA has often taken up social issues through her music. In 2016, she penned For Peace in Syria, the video which garnered over 9,00,000 views on YouTube in just a few weeks. It also helped raise funds for UNICEF.

    “They (children in Syria) didn’t deserve to be a part of the pain and being a teenager myself, I really connected with them,” she recalls.

    Authenticity is of utmost importance to the young musician who also doubles up as a songwriter, and for that Ed Sheeran has been an inspiration. “He puts his authenticity in his music and I do the same in mine, as I write or co-write all of my songs,” she says.

    Bollywood music has also had a role to play in her musical success. Some of her favourite Indian artists include Jubin Nautiyal, Armaan Malik and Neha Kakkar.

    RIKA’s last song release was in 2021—‘Love to You’—in which she collaborated with Bollywood singer Ankit Tiwari. She is looking forward to a year of upcoming singles and collaborations. All geared in forward motion, RIKA seems ready to toss out her newbie cap, and don the title of a star. 

  • Rihanna: You will still get music from me

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Singing sensation Rihanna has said her pregnancy and impending motherhood won’t stop her from releasing new music.She told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: “Well, yes ,You’re still going to get music from me.”When jokingly asked if she will release lullabies, she laughed: “Oh my goodness, not a lullaby. My fans would kill me that they waited this long for a lullaby!”In December, the ‘Talk That Talk’ singer promised new music is coming “soon, soon, soon”, reports femalefirst.co.uk. In an exchange with a paparazzi, who asked: “Any new music? Anything?”, she replied: “Soon soon soon.” Rihanna previously promised her new album will be ‘worth the wait’, while she has teased fans can expect a “completely different sound”.The ‘Rude Boy’ hitmaker said she is “always” working on her music and despite fans’ pleas for her to share her latest material, she wants to wait until she’s completely satisfied.She said: “I’m always working on new music. Just because I haven’t released an album in a few years doesn’t mean I haven’t been working on it. I’m not just going to put music out because people are craving it. I’m going to make it worth the wait – and it will be worth the wait.” The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker released her debut studio album ‘Music of the Sun’ in 2005.

  • Rihanna and A$AP Rocky expecting  their first child 

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Singer-songwriter Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky are expecting their first child together.

    According to People magazine, the couple was spotted in New York City over the weekend, where the “Diamonds” hitmaker showed off her baby bump while wearing a long, oversized pink jacket that was unbuttoned at the bottom. The bump was adorned in a gold cross with colourful jewels.

    In one of the photos, which were snapped in Harlem, where Rocky grew up, the rapper kisses Rihanna (33) on her forehead as they enjoy a walk in the snow. A source close to the couple said the fashion mogul, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, “couldn’t be happier”.

    “Having a baby is something she was never focused on, but being with Rocky opened her up to the idea. She couldn’t be happier and is so excited to be a mom. She is loving all the changes to her body during pregnancy and has always celebrated pregnant women in her runway shows for Fenty,” they said.

    A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, last May announced that he is in a relationship with Rihanna. The 33-year-old recording artiste described the multiple Grammy winner as “the love of my life” and “my lady” in an interview with GQ magazine.

    Reports of the duo being in a relationship go back to the year 2013, when Rocky supported Rihanna on her ‘Diamonds World Tour’. They also featured in the rapper’s 2013 video for his song “Fashion Killa”. The couple, who are longtime friends, were confirmed to be dating in November 2020.

    Speaking of their relationship, the source said Rocky has “doted” on Rihanna from the very beginning. “A lot of guys tried to sweep her off her feet, but Rocky actually managed to do it,” they added. Another insider revealed the couple “live together now and seem beyond happy”.

  • Rihanna declared ‘national hero’ by world’s newest republic Barbados

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Singer Rihanna was honoured by Prime Minister Mia Mottley at an event which marked Barbados’s new status as a republic, which was attended by Prince Charles.

    Addressing the pop star by her real name, the PM said: “Robyn Rihanna Fenty tomorrow morning shall have conferred upon her the order of national hero of Barbados.”

    Rihanna was then summoned from her seat to accept the honour, with the Prime Minister managing to rouse a laugh from the singer when she referenced her 2012 hit ‘Diamonds’, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

    She added: “On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we therefore present to you, the designee, for the national hero of Barbados.”

    “And to accept on behalf of a grateful nation – you can come my dear – ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty, may you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation.”

    Rihanna, who was born in the St Michael parish of Barbados, found fame in 2005 after being spotted by a record producer and has since gone on to become one of the most successful female artists of all time with sales of over 250 million and recently reached billionaire status through her Fenty beauty brand.

    The Prime Minister continued in her speech: “Commanding the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence, her creativity, her discipline, and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth.

    “Having satisfied that, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has given service to Barbados which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership, extraordinary achievement and the attaining of the highest excellence to the Government of Barbados.”

    It comes after a historic move for Barbados, which has become a republic after almost 400 years and welcomes its first president, Sandra Mason, after removing Queen Elizabeth as head of state.

  • Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X — and yes, Rihanna — dazzle at Met Gala

    By Associated Press

    NEW YORK: Billie Eilish went full glam in a huge peach ball gown at the pandemic-delayed Met Gala on Monday night, while fellow host of the evening Amanda Gorman was breathtaking in cobalt blue custom Vera Wang with a diamond laurel wreath in her hair.Rihanna, ever the Met Gala queen, showed up late in a huge black Balenciaga look and hat accompanied by A$ap Rocky in a multicolored quilted coat from ERL. She wore over 267 carats of Bulgari diamonds, including two choker necklaces.

    Rihanna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo | AP)

    Co-host Timothée Chalamet raced onto Fifth Avenue to take selfies with fans before walking up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for his entrance after a marching band and gymnast Nia Dennis kicked off the long-awaited evening. Last year’s gala was canceled due to the pandemic.This year’s official theme of the fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute was “American Independence,” leaving plenty of room for interpretation. Just ask Lil Nas X, who did a Lady Gaga-esque strip tease on the carpet in gold Versace, from cape to armor to embellished jumpsuit.Eilish, the belle of the ball, wore Oscar de la Renta. She told Vogue: “It was time for this. I feel like I’ve grown so much over the last few years.”Chalamet had Converse sneakers on his feet but diamonds on his look. Chalamet called his look, including Rick Owens sweatpants, as “a bit of everything,” just like America. Alfonso Navas, the fashion editor for Esquire, lauded his fashion choices as a “a smart play on the theme by interpreting American icons in sportwear.”Gorman’s dress, which included more than 3,000 hand-sewn crystals, was made to evoke a starry night sky. She told Vogue she felt like Lady Liberty, reimagined. Her crown, the star poet said, was a nod to publishing. Another of the hosts, Naomi Osaka, wanted to celebrate all her cultures — Japan, Haitian and the U.S. — and picked a Louis Vuitton gown designed in collaboration with her sister, Mari Osaka. It was a swirly blue, aqua and purple print with long black ruffle sleeves and a wide red sash.If this gala produced a trend, it’s huge statement sleeves, with some stars and stripes thrown in. There was a smattering of red, as in the red, white and blue of the American flag. Karlie Kloss wore red Carolina Herrera with huge ruffles at the neck and sleeves. Jennifer Hudson also chose red sans sleeves.Also in red: Ella Emhoff, the daughter of the country’s second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, and Vice President Kamala Harris. She wore a bodysuit and high-shine trousers by Stella McCartney with a sheer top and a crystal design in all the right places. She wore Adidas by McCartney embellished in red and made partially of a recycled material derived from ocean plastic.The gala, drawing standouts in fashion, TV, film, sports, tech and beyond, included tiny but mighty Olympian Simone Biles in an 88-pound Area embroidered gown of silver with a top adorned in a firework burst pattern and a huge train carried up the museum steps by six men. The gown was a collaboration with Athleta.Ralph Lauren dressed Jennifer Lopez in fur with a brown look in her signature plunge at the neck and high slit, a wide-brimmed Western-style hat on her head. She and Ben Affleck smooched with masks on after their red carpet coming out in Venice.Dan Levy took the party’s theme to the extreme in a blue confection from Loewe. It had, according to the brand, “printed leg of mutton sleeves” on a polo shirt with an applique of two men kissing.Yara Shahidi wore silver custom Dior complete with a light hood. She said she was inspired by Josephine Baker. Harris Reed, in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, put Iman in a huge golden feathered head piece and equally adorned skirt of crinoline with a jacquard bustier.Blake Newby, the style and beauty editor for Essence, called Iman’s look “both massive and angelic.”Gala overseer Anna Wintour arrived early with a wave to the crowd accompanied by her pregnant daughter, Bee, in a floral design with ruffles at the neck.Along with oh-so-many jumpsuits, there were plenty of classic red carpet looks and a wave of gold, the latter including a Peter Dundas look worn by Mary J. Blige. It plunged to the belly button and beyond at the front and back. MJ Rodriguez, the “Pose” star and first transgender performer to pick up an Emmy nomination in a major acting category, wore an old glam, black-and-white corseted look from Thom Browne. The designer called it a modern-day twist on classic American sportswear. She attended the gala with purpose.”Not a lot of trans girls like myself get this opportunity,” she said. “The human condition is what I’m here for.”U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up in an Brother Vellies by Aurora James gown of white with a message splashed in red across the back: “Tax the Rich.” “It’s really about having a real conversation about fairness and equity in our system, and I think this conversation is particularly relevant as we debate the budget and reconciliation bill,” she said. The evening had its share of what-the-heck moments, like a couple of horse heads on dresses and a green-haired Frank Ocean carrying a fake baby with a green face to match. Thom Browne gave the walking fashion statement Erykah Badu an extra-tall top hat with a bulky black look, a bunch of crystals and chunky bling around her neck.Her purse was a black leather dachshund.The fashion girls represented, Gigi Hadid in classic white Prada fresh from a slew of runway walks at New York Fashion Week, and Kendall Jenner in glittery, revealing silver by Givenchy. Jenner’s look was inspired by “My Fair Lady.”The entrance of Jenner’s older sister, Kim Kardashian West, caused a stir as fans wondered whether her estranged husband Kanye was the masked man at her side. It was none other than Demna Gvasalia, the creative director for Balenciaga who created her get-up: A black face covering worn with a T-shirt dress, catsuit and boots. It came after she arrived in New York in full dominatrix gear ahead of the gala.Newby told the AP the easiest and most obvious ways to stay true to the evening’s theme is by wearing American designers. Many of the greats, including Michael Kors, showed up, along with smaller brands.”Black American designers had their moment,” she said, noting looks by Christopher John Rogers, Aliette and Sergio Hudson.There were hair statements as well.”Geometric bobs also made an appearance with Sophia Roe and Tracee Ellis Ross showing off very avant garde ‘dos, while Yara Shahidi and Kaia Gerber channeled old Hollywood glam with deep waves,” Newby said.After 18 months in sweats, it was “clear that celebrities were beyond thrilled to give it their all,” said Sara Tan, beauty director for a millennial-focused lifestyle site Refinery29.com.They did in clothes, but also accessories and beauty, she said, noting Gorman’s sparkly jewels across her face and Eilish’s short, curled bob and classic winged liner in a definite ode to Marilyn Monroe.Eilish, Gorman, Iman and AOC were the night’s best dressed for Refinery29’s fashion director Irina Grechko.”Not only did Gorman wear an American designer, Vera Wang, but she also nailed the ‘American Independence’ dress code with a book-shaped clutch that read ‘Give Us Your Tired’ in reference to the Emma Lazarus poem featured on the base of the Statue of Liberty.The gala, which raises money for the museum’s Costume Institute, was pushed last year from its traditional May berth and morphed this year into a two-part affair marking the institute’s 75th anniversary. It coincides with the opening of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,”  the first of a two-part exhibition at the Met’s Anna Wintour Costume Center. Organizers invited 400 guests, or about a third the number that usually attend.

  • Rihanna drops lawsuit against father Ronald Fenty for misusing her name

    By IANS

    NEW YORK: Rihanna has dropped a lawsuit against her father Ronald Fenty, who previously was alleged to have been misusing her name for his own benefit.

    Court documents viewed by Complex show that Rihanna, alongside her company Roraj Trade LLC and Combermere Entertainment Properties, filed a stipulation of dismissal of the entire lawsuit on September 7. The suit had named Fenty Entertainment LLC, a California-based company, as well as Ronald Fenty and Moses Joktan Perkins.

    In January of 2019, Rihanna was reported to be suing her father as well as the aforementioned business partner Moses Joktan Perkins over allegations of deceiving people into believing she was involved with his company.

    She also said he had tried to book her on an overseas tour without permission.

    The case was due to come to trial on September 22, but Rihanna filed to dismiss the case on Tuesday.

    Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, filed her legal case two years ago, saying: “Although Mr Fenty is Rihanna’s father, he does not have, and never has had, authority to act on Rihanna’s behalf,” according to BBC.com.

    The singer, who is the world’s richest musician, has long had a strained relationship with her father, who has struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction in the past.

  • Rihanna’s Fenty brand sued by musician for using song containing Islamic verse

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: Pop icon Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty has been sued by a musician who claimed that she received death threats after the wrong version of her song was played during the Savage X Fenty 2020 fashion show.

    The track titled ‘Doom’ contained a reading of a Muslim text known as a Hadith, and caused an uproar when it was played during the lingerie show in October 2020. Rihanna faced severe backlash for using the song and later apologised for the same, reported TMZ.

    The artist, who filed the suit anonymously, claimed that she was bombarded with death threats after the incident.

    According to TMZ, the artist, who has filed the suit as Jane Doe to protect her identity, said Rihanna contacted the artist about using the song for the show and was told to use a version of the song that did not include the sample.

    The artist claimed that she made it clear to Fenty reps that one version of the song had the religious verses and one did not, and warned them not to use the Islamic proverbs.

    However, the show’s producers allegedly played the wrong version, as per the legal documents obtained by TMZ.

    The artist further that “immediately got threats” on her life “when the fashion show was live-streamed to millions.” She stated that she had to go into hiding since the incident and also, has been suffering from depression and anxiety as a result of the death threats.

    The artist said that she is now seeking “Rihanna’s business arm for more than USD 10 million in damages”.

    For the unversed, Hadith is a collection of traditions containing sayings of the Prophet Muhammad with accounts of his daily practise (the Sunna).

    It establishes the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Quran and hence, is considered of utmost importance in their life. In other words, the hadith are reports about what Prophet Muhammad said and did.

  • ASAP Rocky says he is dating Rihanna

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Rapper ASAP Rocky has announced that he is in a relationship with singer-songwriter Rihanna.

    The 32-year-old recording artiste, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, described the multiple Grammy winner as “the love of my life” and “my lady” in an interview with GQ magazine.

    Reports of the couple being in a relationship go back to the year 2013, when ASAP Rocky supported Rihanna, 33, on her ‘Diamonds World Tour’.

    They also featured in the rapper’s 2013 video for his song “Fashion Killa”.

    Asked what it was like to be in a relationship, ASAP Rocky said, “When you know, you know.”

    “She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones,” he said, adding “She’s the one.”

    As per the article, the rapper hinted Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, has listened to and was responding to his new album, which will feature Morrissey.

    She also has “absolutely” influenced the new music, ASAP Rocky said.

    “It’s just a different point of view,” he added.

    According to the interview, the couple tries not to be photographed together by the paparazzi.

    Rihanna is yet to publicly respond to the article.

  • Maharashtra govt to probe if celebs were forced to tweet on farmers’ stir by BJP: Congress’ Sachin Sawant

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Congress leader Sachin Sawant on Monday informed that Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has given orders to the Intelligence Department to probe the row over tweets by celebrities on the farmers’ issue.

    He also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that national heroes were being intimidated by the ruling party.

    “The government sprung into action after Rihanna tweeted on the farmers’ issue. This was followed by a series of tweets from celebrities. If a person, be it a celebrity, opines on their own, it’s fine. But there is scope for suspicion that the BJP is behind this. Similar words like ‘amicable’ have been used in these tweets,” Sawant told ANI.

    #WATCH | There was series of tweets after MEA’s response to Rihanna’s tweet. If a person opines on their own, it’s fine but there’s scope of suspicion that BJP could be behind this…Spoke to HM Deshmukh. He has given orders to Intelligence dept to probe: Congress’ Sachin Sawant pic.twitter.com/kutYYJjxqG
    — ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2021

    Celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Lata Mangeshkar among several others had tweeted calling for unity in the country after international pop star Rihanna, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and others extended their support to farmers protesting at the borders of India’s capital against the three agriculture laws.

    ALSO READ | Won’t allow business over hunger; need law on MSP: Rakesh Tikait as PM Modi defends farm laws in RS

    “National heroes should be provided security if BJP is intimidating them. I spoke to Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and he said it is a serious matter. He has given orders to the Intelligence department to probe into this,” the Congress leader said.

    He further emphasised that celebrities can and should be allowed to speak up for the country if they want to and added that there should be an investigation to see if the BJP has a role to play in the tweets.

    “They can speak for the country if they want of their own free will. We want an investigation to see if there is any pressure from the BJP. Was there any arm twisting? These things have happened before,” he said.

    Earlier on Saturday, days after Sachin Tendulkar made comments about the farmers’ protest, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday asked the former Indian skipper to “exercise caution while speaking about other fields”.