This Simple Mindset Made Rihanna $230 MILLION

I just always knew. I just always knew one day that I'm gonna be doing this. I knew.

And eventually I just went up to one of the managers and I was like, I have to have this song.

Doing what you want means moving forward with the way you feel. I'm 21, so I'm gonna live my life like I'm a 21-year-old. I'm gonna dress like I'm a 21-year-old.

She's a Barbadian singer and songwriter with sales exceeding 200 million records worldwide. She's one of the best-selling artists of all time. She has an estimated net worth of $230 million. $1 million. She's Rihanna, and here's my take on her top 10 rules for success. Clip number 1 is my favorite, and make sure to stick around all the way to the end for some special bonus clips.

I always loved music. I always loved it. Um, and then I would start singing along, and before you knew it, I wanted to be that person so bad that I would lip-sync or dance or look in the mirror or perform for my friends or cousins. And I just always knew. I just always knew one day that I'm gonna be doing this. I knew.

Well, the first time I heard Umbrella, I just knew how much I loved the song. I thought it had one of the most original sounds of any song that I've ever heard thus far. And I just, especially the ones that I'm recording, and I just, I was like, I have to have this one.

I have to have it.

But everybody wanted it, right? I wanted to, well, I didn't know that at the time. At the time, they were like, okay, you can have this song, you know, whatever.

I was like, I have to have it.

And that's when we started finding out, okay, hold on a second, because this person is listening, that person's listening. And eventually I just went up to one of the managers and I was like, I have to have this song, this song is mine. And I basically was like, I'm gonna fight you if I don't have this song.

How social media affects the way that you make music, do you consider feedback from fans?

Absolutely, big time. Like, my fans definitely have an impact on the way I make music, what I do. Like, it still comes from me, and I still like to show them new things, but I, I always want to make sure that, you know, I have to pay attention. Yeah, they say things that you need to hear. Yeah. They're out there in the world. They're not in the little box here. They know what's going on, and you will be stupid to be so oblivious to what they're saying. You have to pay attention. Every album for me has been a natural step in my growth. It has displayed the different steps in my career, and everyone— happens to be better than the previous one. And for me, that's the most important thing. Just making sure that every time you do something, you do it better than you did it before. And those, when I, even when I listen to my music or watch my videos, for instance, from Pon de Replay to Russian Roulette, it's not even the same person. It's not even the same person. But I don't know anyone who has been the same person at 17 that they were at 21. I think a lot of people think that them doing what they want means doing what everybody else doesn't want. And it's not that. Doing what you want means moving forward with the way you feel and living your truth. And a lot of the times you'll find common ground with people. And sometimes there are a lot of people you won't find that agree with you, but it has to be your truth because that's the only way. Well, it's definitely the ultimate dream for me because I always dreamt of doing it. So yeah, it could be the ultimate dream, but know that there's a lot of hard work that people don't see, a lot of toil, toiling at night, you know, a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of traveling, and some stuff you don't want to do, but you just do it for the love of it. So if you want to do it for fame or money, forget it. Stop now. But if you want to do it for the love of it, keep on going. Everyone has their own definition of a role model. For me, I'm 21, so I'm going to live my life like I'm a 21-year-old. I'm going to dress like I'm a 21-year-old. I know I have a 5-year-old fan at home, but I can't live my life like a 5-year-old because I'm not 5. But at 21, for a 21-year-old to see the way I act and see the way I dress, that's fine. And I can only be a Rihanna model because that's who I am. I can't be, I can't please everybody. It's too hard.

Raquel wants to know if it's hard to remain you with all the success at such a young age.

Um, no, I would say it is very hard. It can be very easy to be led astray or caught up and sucked into the fame and the bright lights and everything being great and, you know, it can be easy to do that, but I have great people around me and a lot of people that I've known since my childhood.

Yeah.

A lot of people I trust. My big brothers Jay-Z, J. Abron, and Tata, like, They're my backbone, and at this point I'm in super good hands with them, and they keep me grounded. They keep me in check. My mother is still my mother.

Yeah.

And she also checks me on the reg.

Yeah.

Yeah.

On the reg.

I just had a dream. I had an idea. I knew what I wanted to do, and this is what I was going to do. All I wanted to do was make music internationally. You know, in Barbados, it's an unrealistic goal. You know, we're a small little island away from the United States.

What has been Jay's best advice to you?

In the beginning of my career, I remember Ponder Replay started doing really well, and he came up to me at a showcase and he said, "You must be a really great person because great things keep happening for you." 'Don't ever change who you are. Always remain humble, the same.' And it kind of rings in my ear. Every day I hear that, and it stuck with me, and I have a lot to be grateful for.

Thank you so much for watching. I made this video because Christina Swagger asked me to. So if there's a famous entrepreneur that you want me to profile next, leave in the comments below, and I'll see what I can do. I also love to know which of Rihanna's top 10 rules had the biggest impact on you and why? Leave it in the comments and I will join in the discussion. I also want to give a quick shout out to Tashana. Thank you so much, Tashana, for buying my book. For those of you who want a chance at a shout out in a future video, make sure to pick up a copy of the book and then email in your receipt so we can keep track. Thank you guys so much for watching. Continue to believe, or whatever your one word is, and I'll see you soon.

I can't tell you where I see myself in 5 years, but I can tell you that I will work my best to be the most successful artist that I can be in 5 years.

What do you want to be remembered for?

When you're like, you know, an older lady and you're about to retire, what is it the thing you want to be remembered for?

Remembered as Rihanna. Remembered as being the artist from the Caribbean who came here and made it, and made it internationally. Just remember it's me, 'cause I am true to my music, and I just want people to realize that and appreciate me for that. Okay, Jim, if you can name a planet, what would it be called?

Okay, this is the most ridiculous question I've ever heard.

I know.

But if I could name a planet, I would just— I would call it Jim's Planet, because I don't see any reason to mess around and be unclear with what's gone on. I was allowed to name a planet, so I'm gonna call it Jim's Planet.

I would probably name it Shaw. It's become sort of a language of sorts between my sister and I. Her name is Jen, which turned into Shaw.

And how do you spell that?

J-H-A-T, that's how it is in my phone.

Oh my God, I would have gone S-H-A without a doubt.

Everybody does that.

I like that, it has meaning. Shaw. Rihanna, on your planet, What would the main rules be?

Free shoes for everyone.

That's a good plan.

Always. Any kind. And ice cream. Tons of ice cream. You can only eat ice cream. That's the only food I'm gonna have.

Y'all gonna need a good healthcare plan on that planet, but you will have good shoes.

Tons of ice cream. And no diabetes.

Well, that's not logical now.

Oh, and no, yeah.

But there's more. Then what? You can't what? You can't gain weight.

Criticize? You can't gain weight.

I don't know about this. But I don't have to move there, I have my own planet.

What 3 things would you take with you from Earth to your planet?

I would take Todd, my partner. I would take Otis, my white dog. And I would take Rufus, my Shih Tzu. And the rest of you can piss off. What 3 things would you take?

Shaw.

Uh-huh.

'Cause she can pretty much facilitate every other thing that I need. My iPod. My iPod speakers.

What skill or talent would you like to learn?

To whistle.

I can't either.

Really?

I can't. I'm very surprised a musician can't.

I feel so much better.

So do I.

What?

I'm sorry. You know what? You know what? I don't even mean that because I consider myself my own level of musician.

I'm trying to learn how to whistle.

What do you think the problem is?

I just don't know. I think you either can or you can't. It's one of those things.

Have you tried hard?

Yes, and it sounds just like that.

So you won't even do it?

Nope.

That's probably wise.

What secret talent could you teach the Boo?

I get the impression they don't know, like they would not know what a piano was if they saw it. Like they'd be like, what is this used for? And so I wanna say I could teach them to play the piano 'cause I do play the piano. Oh, you do? I do.

Speaking of musicians.

I know, and I can't whistle.

Uh-huh.

I didn't, I took it back as soon as I said it. I was just surprised. I always felt like, do you know how often a script calls for an actor to whistle? It's frequent.

That is really good to know. I would've never guessed that.

That I play?

Yeah.

'Cause you don't think I have an ounce of rhythm? What? What's the judgment you feel?

That is really mean.

No, no.

That's not what I said.

No, you're right, I put words in your mouth.

But you're so great. At acting.

Yeah.

That I couldn't picture you having any love for another skill.

Absolutely, absolutely. Thank you.

See how I changed that?

You were really sweet.