Rihanna - Umbrella (Orange Version) ft. JAY-Z

What this video is

Released April 2007, 'Umbrella' is widely regarded as the cultural pivot point that transformed Rihanna from a rising pop act into a global superstar and fashion icon. The video's visual grammar — silver body paint, geometric triangles, theatrical rain choreography — signaled a deliberate departure from her 'girl next door' image toward a bold, sexualized, high-art aesthetic. JAY-Z's opening verse, delivered as her…

Why it matters

Represents the apex of mid-2000s pop-R&B music video ambition — a genre-defining synthesis of high-concept VFX, choreographic spectacle, and fashion iconography. The video's Mercury-liquid compositing sequence was technically innovative for its era, and the pyrotechnic rain finale established a…

The director

Los Angeles-born director (b. 1970) who studied film at Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. Became the youngest director signed to Satellite Films (Propaganda division) at age 21, directing over 250 music videos. Achieved more than 30 #1 videos on MTV. Six-time…