Whatever Rihanna posts – whether it’s about the Australian bushfires or a friend who has died – the response is the same. In her book Fangirls: Scenes from Modern Music Culture, Hannah Ewens observes that music fans have long been early adopters and innovators in the world of tech. Journalist Tshepo Mokoena has explored how black artists, Beyoncé and Rihanna in particular, reshaped what it means to be a pop star in the 2010s. The pace of pop culture hardwires fans to constantly expect more. As usual, Rihanna is way ahead, operating with the cool detachment of someone who knows where her best interests lie.

Source: The Guardian January 15, 2020 11:48 UTC