Robyn Rihanna Fenty, better known by her stage name, Rihanna, has a long history with Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter. Jay-Z signed Rihanna on to Def Jam Recordings when she was just 16. Unfortunately, in 2024, the media has their eye on Jay-Z after allegations stating he raped a 13-year-old in 2000. Now, we’re looking back at what Rihanna said about him when he first signed her. Here’s what she said about the “pressure” she felt when meeting the mogul.
Rihanna explained the ‘pressure’ she felt when Jay-Z signed her to Def Jam Recordings
Rihanna was an instant star when she auditioned for Jay-Z at 16 years old. She sat down with The Music Factory after signing on with Def Jam Recordings to discuss the process. Rihanna explained how she created a demo with a producer in New York and sent it to several labels, and Def Jam enthusiastically responded to her first. She then headed over to audition with Jay-Z.
“After the audition, he signed me right there that same night, and that’s how I got started,” she said. “It was my very first time meeting a celebrity, and I was really, really nervous. I was really scared. I remember being in the lobby before I met him, just shaking. But after I met him, he’s one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. So, he made the atmosphere very comfortable for me to audition in.”
The interviewer asked about Jay-Z’s expectations of Rihanna. The singer explained that having Jay-Z sign her “put a pressure” on her because she knew of the “great work” he did in the industry.
“And people kind of looking at me to do justice to his name,” Rihanna continued. “I want to make him proud because he’s an artist that I really look up to. And now I have to look up to him not only as an artist, but as a boss. So, I don’t want to let him down.”
Rihanna said Jay-Z gave her an alarming ultimatum when she signed
Rihanna seemed extremely happy to be signed with Jay-Z on Def Jam Recordings. However, the public has renewed attention on Jay-Z after looking back at what Rihanna said regarding the ultimatum he gave her before she signed.
Rihanna performed on The Tyra Banks Show in 2005 and spoke to Tyra Banks afterward. Banks asked Rihanna about meeting Jay-Z. “It was a really good audition,” Rihanna said, “but before I met him, I was so nervous. I was shaking, literally.”
The singer noted that she sang her hit, “Pon de Replay,” and another ballad acapella for Jay-Z. When Jay-Z felt ready to sign Rihanna, he gave her two options.
“He said, ‘There are two ways to leave here: Either through the door, with the deal signed, or through this window. And we’re on the 29th floor,’” she said.
An argument happened the night before the Barbados singer was signed
Jay-Z wanted Rihanna signed to Def Jam Recordings. However, the night before she signed on, Jay-Z and New York DJ and comedian Cipha Sounds argued about bringing Rihanna into the fold. Jay-Z felt like Rihanna might be a one-hit-wonder.
“There’s a famous story where she went to Def Jam when Jay-Z was president and they wouldn’t let her leave the room until they found the right deal that she would sign with them,” Cipha Sounds said in an interview with Michael Yo. “The story that doesn’t get told is the night before, me and Jay-Z had an argument about her. He was like, ‘I don’t know. It might be just one song.’ I’m like, ‘No, I’m telling you. … Jay, this is why you have me around. My ear is your ear. I’m the A&R.’”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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