Britney Spears was offered the chance to record Umbrella, before Rihanna
made it a number one hit - but the pop princess turned it down.
American music producer Tricky Stewart - who created the track - has
confessed Spears was given first option on the song.
He made the revelation to British singer/songwriter Taio Cruz. Cruz
says, "I was working with Tricky in his studio the day he finished
Umbrella. As soon as I heard it I said, 'That is a smash, I have to have
it,' but he told me it was on hold for Britney.
"He waited but Britney's people never called him back."
Rihanna turned the song into a huge hit, holding the number one spot in
the U.K. chart for a staggering 10 weeks.