Last Friday, Rihanna unveiled the “R20” merchandise drop to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Music of the Sun, which was released on August 29, 2005.
On Instagram, Riri reflected on her career, thanking her fans, mentors, team, family, and God for supporting her throughout her twenty years in music. “20 years ago, I left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey that started with the release of my very first body of music! […] 20 years worth of thanks to you!!”
At the heart of the R20 collection is “Rhenna,” a minimalist cartoon stick-figure version of the multi-time Grammy Award winner. The character originated from a meme after a fan drew Rihanna with Bantu knots, and she embraced the artwork by making it her profile picture on social media. Since then, it has become her digital avatar, with fans lovingly referring to it as “the beloved and iconically simple stick-figure doodle.”
The commemorative merch line includes an all-black hoodie, the “R20 Rhenna Hoodie,” featuring a stickman-style character on the front and lettering on the back that reads “20 Years With You.” Another piece is the “R20 Layered Tee” with her black-and-white portrait, photographed by Dennis Leupold, in the front, and a faded back lettering that reads “Rihanna Since 2005″ on the back design.
R20 “RHENNA” HOODIE: Courtesy of Rihanna
R20 LAYERED TEE: Courtesy of Rihanna
Rhenna can now stand on your shelf alongside your Rihanna albums and merch, as part of the drop includes the “R20 Rhenna Doll,” a five-inch figurine with adjustable arms and legs.
Lastly, the fourth and final item in the merch drop celebrates Riri’s entire discography. The “R20 Vinyl Box Set” features Rhenna artwork on the case and includes all eight of her studio albums: Music of the Sun, A Girl Like Me, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rated R, Loud, Talk That Talk, Unapologetic, and ANTI. Unlike the other three items, however, this one isn’t yet available for pre-order or purchase.
R20 “RHENNA” DOLL: Courtesy of Rihanna
R20 VINYL BOX SET: Courtesy of Rihanna
The anniversary drop arrives in anticipation of her long-awaited ninth studio album. In the meantime, she recently voiced Smurfette in the poorly-received 2025 Smurfs animated reboot, for which she contributed the track “Friend of Mine” to the soundtrack.
