Rihanna was the recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award last night (Aug. 28) at the 2016 VMAs.
She performed many hits from her extensive catalog throughout the night, the first set when she kicked off the show with her smash singles “Please Don’t Stop,” “Only Girl (In The World),” “We Found Love,” and “Where Have You Been.”
For her second performance, she broke out her reggae-inspired hits “Rude Boy,” “Pon de Replay,” “What’s My Name” and “Work.” Wearing probably the longest durag ever, she was joined on stage with about 200 of her dancehall friends for an on-stage dance party, and ode to her island roots.
For her third set, Rihanna performed her biggest trap hits “Needed Me,” “Pour It Up” and “Bitch Better Have My Money,” then for her fourth and final performance, Rihanna dawned an elegant gown to sing her biggest ballads: “Stay,” “Diamonds,” and the ANTI fan-fave and next single, “Love on the Brain.”
She was then presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by non other than her boyfriend Drake, who declared his love for RiRi. “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old,” he said. “She’s one of my best friends in the world,” he revealed. He also dished that they met on the set of her first video “Pon de Replay” which was filmed in Toronto, his hometown.
In her acceptance speech. Rihanna acknowledged her success goes out to everone who’s helped make her a success. “My success, it started as my dream, but now my success is not my own—it’s my family’s, it’s my fans’, it’s the Caribbean as a whole, it’s women, it’s black women,” she said.
I think it’s safe to say Rihanna had a good night! Congrats to the superstar!
