Music of the Sun is the debut
studio album by
Barbadian recording artist
Rihanna. It was released by
Def Jam Recordings on August 30, 2005. Prior to signing with Def Jam, Rihanna was discovered by
record producer Evan Rogers in
Barbados, who helped Rihanna record
demo tapes to send out to several record labels.
Jay-Z, the former
chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Def Jam, was given Rihanna's demo by Jay Brown, his
A&R at Def Jam, and invited her to audition for the label after hearing what turned out to be her first single, "
Pon de Replay". She auditioned for Jay-Z and
L.A. Reid, the former CEO and president of record label group
The Island Def Jam Music Group, and was signed on the spot to prevent her from signing with another
record label.