Barbados Declares Rihanna To Be An Official National Hero

BY Erika Marie 19.1K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Kevin Mazur / Contributor / Getty Images
Rihanna
The singer attended a ceremony with the Prince of Wales as Barbados cuts ties with the British and removes the Queen as the head of state.

She had been bestowed several honors from her home country, and Rihanna is adding yet another to the growing list of accolades. The international superstar was once again at home in Barbados for another celebration—this time to witness the island country cut ties with the British as it declares itself a Republic.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley not only met with the Prince of Wales during the day but during a ceremony, she recognized Rihanna as the country's National Hero of Barbados.

Jonathan Brady - PA Images / Contributor / Getty Images

The event took place in Rihanna's hometown of Bridgetown and Prime Minister Mottley stated, "May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your works, by your actions." Of course, that was a nod to the singer's hit track "Diamonds" which was released back in 2012.

The Fenty mogul was in attendance and was also in Barbados to see the swearing-in of the country's new president, Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason. Now that the Queen is no longer the head of state, Barbados will see new changes implemented in the years to come. Back in 2018, Rihanna was also given the title of Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Barbados where she holds the responsibility of helping drive tourism and investment to her native country.

Check out a snippet of Prime Minister Mottley's speech below.

Jeff J Mitchell / Staff / Getty Images



[via][via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.