It appears that?singer?Rihanna was not the first choice for the hit single “Umbrella.”? Singer/songwriter Taio Cruz originally offered the song to Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears and both turned it down. 😕 Mary didn’t think the song was right for her (I agree) but Britney’s camp said merely that “it didn’t work for her.”? I guess it was fate for Rihanna because “Umbrella” …Ella…Ella is considered to be her breakthrough hit! ? (Source)