Personally, I started being a fan of Rihanna around the GGGB era. I never could really get into AGLM and MOTS even though they both had songs I love.
GGGB- is amazing. To me it isn't as commercial to me as most other pop CDs. I can't listen to most pop artists cds all the way through. I can listen to GGGB all the way through. I feel like I can relate to every single song. Me and Ri are the same age. In my head, she's my best friend
. Around GGGB I feel like Rihanna started transitioning as an artist and really figuring out who Robyn Rihanna Fenty is. Around the same time, I was a senior, graduating from HS, and getting ready to go to college. I was also figuring out who I was. I related to GGGB because a lot of the songs made me feel good. I related to love, life, and heartbreak.
Now Rated R is around the same time I was coping with the lost of a lot of loved ones, I lost myself, and when I was going through the most painful and abusive relationship in my life. I was an emotional wreck. Honestly, the first time I heard Russian Roulette I cried because I felt the emotions in her voice and I was there. It was like she was speaking to me and saying I'm not alone. RS101 and Hard made me feel rebellious. I was angry at the world for all of my own problems and adversity. I have to same **** it attitude Rihanna does. I listened to the Last Song so much earlier this year when my uncle died. CCl, SIL, all of those songs were like an epiphany to me. It actually pisses me off when people say Rihanna isn't speaking out against DV because anyone who's been there can definitely relate to this masterpiece. It's been my therapy in so many ways and it's the first cd I pop in when I'm feeling down and alone because I do feel like Ri is there with me.
LOUD is another album is another CD I can listen to all the way through. I kind of like the fact that it's an organized mess. People say it doesn't really flow well, bur I love the fact that each song takes you on a different and exciting adventure. CKB is exactly what I've been going through the past year or so because my ex moved away. I did love him and we lasted for a while, but the distance eventually won.
. Cheers is me and my sorority sisters drinking anthem. Lol we jam to that while we pregame. Though she didn't write the songs, I do feel like each song shows a different trait of Ri's personality. In Rated R, she showed her vulnerability, but on LOUD she shows who the real Ri is when she's on top of the world and has weathered the storm.
I'd only heard it for the first time today.
OMGGG?! Are we the same person? That exactly how i felt. Except I was 14 when discovering myself and I didn't lose any loved ones during RR era. I was just "stupid in love" (with a guy i knew since kindergarten long story) 
I can totally relate to your story besides the 
His voice makes my inner ***** quiver. 
