Rihanna is one of the biggest pop stars in the world, with hit songs like “Umbrella”, “Diamonds”, and “We Found Love”. She has sold over 250 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists of all time. Her success and popularity mean that featuring Rihanna on a song or in a music video does not come cheap. So how much does it actually cost to feature Rihanna? The answer depends on several factors.
Rihanna’s Current Star Power
As of 2023, Rihanna remains one of the most famous and influential musicians on the planet. She has over 135 million Instagram followers and is the second most-streamed female artist on Spotify. While she hasn’t released a new album since 2016’s Anti, Rihanna stays culturally relevant through her fashion and beauty ventures like Fenty and Savage X Fenty. She is still very much an A-list celebrity who commands public attention. This level of fame and attention translates into a high price tag for collaborations. Brands and artists know that attaching Rihanna’s name to a project generates buzz and interest.
Standard Music Industry Featuring Rates
In the music industry, featured artists on songs generally take home 20% to 30% of the royalties, though this can vary based on negotiations. The industry standard rate for an A-list feature is around $100,000 to $250,000. Mid-level artists tend to get $25,000 to $50,000 for a feature, while up-and-coming acts may only get $5,000 to $15,000. As one of the biggest pop stars in the world, Rihanna certainly commands fees on the higher end of the spectrum. Even a few years ago in 2016, she was rumored to charge $500,000 for a feature. Today, she likely charges anywhere from $750,000 to $1 million per feature.
Factors that Influence Rihanna’s Fees
Several key factors influence how much Rihanna can charge for a feature:
Her Relationship with the Artist/Brand
If Rihanna is close friends with the artist or has an existing relationship with a brand, she may be willing to cut them a deal with reduced fees or do the feature for free. For example, she gave free features to artists like Drake and Eminem earlier in her career before she reached megastar status.
The Reach/Visibility of the Collaborator
If the featuring opportunity is with a huge mainstream artist like Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande, Rihanna can justify charging upwards of $1 million because the song almost guarantees millions of streams and downloads. On the other hand, features for newer or indie artists would likely command lower fees.
The Type of Feature
Rihanna can charge more for a significant collaboration where she shares equal billing with the other artist rather than just a short verse or hook. A major collaboration that is promoted as a dual single release with an accompanying music video would have a higher price.
Charity/Cause-Related Work
Rihanna may do features for charity singles or cause-related work for free or reduced rates. For example, she collaborated on Kanye West’s “FourFiveSeconds” in 2015 and gave her proceeds to charity.
Business Deals
If the feature is part of a wider business deal, like Rihanna signing a brand endorsement contract, the fees may be negotiated as part of the overall deal rather than charged separately.
Label/Management Negotiations
Like most artists, Rihanna’s management and record label executives are involved in negotiating featuring rates on her behalf. They have an incentive to set high rates but may compromise depending on the strategic value of the collaboration.
What Rihanna’s Fees Are Spent On
When Rihanna collects large fees for features, where does that money go? Here’s a breakdown:
– Recording costs: Studio time, producers, engineers
– Music video production
– Designers and glam squad for video shoots/appearances
– PR and marketing costs
– Management fees (15% – 20%)
– Legal fees for contract negotiations
– Charity donations
– Personal income and investments
While Rihanna rakes in big paydays from features, she has sizeable overhead costs associated with being a global superstar. Still, features remain a lucrative source of income along with her business ventures and catalogue royalties.
Rihanna Feature Examples and Costs
To illustrate the potential range, here are some real and hypothetical examples of Rihanna feature costs:
Kanye West Single (Major Collaboration)
For a heavily promoted single shared equally with Kanye West, Rihanna could charge up to $1.5 million given West’s fame and the guaranteed media buzz.
Up-and-Coming Rapper Mixtape Track
If an unsigned rapper wanted Rihanna on a mixtape track, it would likely cost $250,000 to $500,000. Her name would elevate the track’s profile.
Taylor Swift Stadium Tour Duet
If Taylor Swift wanted Rihanna to be a special guest at her stadium show to duet on “Umbrella”, she could probably secure Rihanna for $500,000 based on their combined star power and the exposure from a world tour.
Apple Marketing Campaign Song
For Rihanna to record a promotional song as part of an Apple ad campaign, the fee would likely be negotiated to $2 million as part of a broader deal.
Independent Movie Soundtrack Ballad
Contributing a ballad to a small indie movie soundtrack could command a fee around $750,000 to $1 million depending on Rihanna’s liking of the project.
| Feature Scenario | Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Kanye West Single | $1 million – $1.5 million |
| Up-and-Coming Rapper Mixtape Track | $250,000 – $500,000 |
| Taylor Swift Stadium Tour Duet | $500,000 – $750,000 |
| Apple Marketing Campaign Song | $1.5 million – $2 million |
| Indie Movie Soundtrack Ballad | $750,000 – $1 million |
Conclusion
Rihanna’s fees for collaborations and features start around $250,000 on the low end but can range up to $1.5 million for huge singles with top artists. Her continued superstardom allows her to charge top dollar for her co-sign and appearances. And these high feature fees are only likely to rise in coming years as Rihanna gears up for new music releases and tours. While not every artist can afford Rihanna’s price, her name generates enough buzz to justify the costs in many cases. Booking a Rihanna feature remains one of the most reliable ways for artists to land a chart-topping smash or brands to generate publicity. So for those who can swing it, featuring Rihanna is generally a smart investment.