A Girl Like Me

Barbadian singer Rihanna returned with her second studio album, A Girl Like Me, released on April 19, 2006. The record arrived just eight months after her debut and features ten tracks that blend contemporary R&B, pop, and dancehall. Working with producers like Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Stargate, J.R. Rotem, and Ne-Yo, she crafted a sound rooted in her Caribbean heritage while adding rock elements and slow ballads. Critics noted how the project avoided the typical sophomore slump, though some remained divided over the softer songs. Commercially, the album climbed to number five on both the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart, topping the Canadian list and reaching the top ten in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. It spawned four singles, including "SOS", which became her first number-one hit on the Hot 100, alongside "Unfaithful" and "Break It Off". Although "We Ride" did not match its predecessors' success, the LP earned double platinum certification from the RIAA. To support the release, Rihanna launched her first headlining tour, Rihanna: Live in Concert, in 2006.[edit]