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Rihanna’s live performances showcase her musical abilities and stage presence. Her ability to switch from solemn renditions to groovy beats keeps her audiences entertained. The 36-year-old superstar is known for her eye-catching outfits on stage and her expressive set designs—which have seen her descending from a helicopter on stage for B**ch Better Have My Money performance at the iHeart Radio Music Awards in 2015 and a theatrical collaboration for the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics. Rihanna’s live performances also feature choreographed routines with backup dancers and high-energy movements.
This article explores the singer's most memorable live performances.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion only and is ranked in no particular order.
Best live performances by Rihanna to watch in 2024
- Work live at the Brits Awards 2016 ft Drake
- Diamonds live at the Victoria's Secret Fashion show 2012
- B**ch Better Have My Money (Live at The 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards)
- Love On The Brain live at Global Citizen Festival 2016
- Lift Me Up live at The 2023 Oscars
- Rihanna's Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show
- Rihanna, Coldplay and Jay-Z live at The closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games
- Pon de Replay (AOL sessions)
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1. Work live at the Brits Awards 2016 ft Drake
On February 24, 2016, the Barbados icon performed her chart-topping dancehall anthem, Work, alongside Canadian rapper, Drake, at the 36th Brits Awards Ceremony that took place at the O2 Arena, London.
Work is the fourth track from her 13-track album, Anti, released on January 28, 2016. Both artists, dressed in white outfits, delivered an electrifying performance of the Grammy-nominated song, with lyrics like:
"You need to get done, done, done, done at work, come over/ We just need to slow the motion/ Don't give that away to no one/ Long distance, I need you (Ah),"
While the songstress' distinct textured vocals mesmerized the audience, her on-stage chemistry with the rapper also makes the performance a must-watch.
2. Diamonds live at the Victoria's Secret Fashion show 2012
The music star-turned-business mogul, hit the Victoria Secret Fashion show runway on November 7, 2012, performing her R&B/pop classic, Diamonds. The song is the lead track from her critically acclaimed seventh album, Unapologetic, which dropped on November 19, 2012.
The Barbadian singer wore a black ensemble from Adam Selma, which she paired with pearl earrings, lace hand gloves, Chanel retro sunshades, and a choker, and sang:
"So shine bright, tonight, you and I/ We're beautiful, like diamonds in the sky/ Eye to eye, so alive/ We're beautiful, like diamonds in the sky,"
Riri's ability to belt out the lyrics of the powerful ballad, and her seamless movement with Victoria’s Secret Angels as they walked the runway made the performance a memorable one.
3. B**ch Better Have My Money (Live at The 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards)
The 36-year-old billionaire, styled in a short black dress, green thigh-high boots, and a fur coat, stole the show at the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards, performing her hit jam, B**ch Better Have My Money. This trap record was released on March 26, 2015, as a standalone single.
The singer's grand entry, in which she descended from a helicopter on the stage, was a highlight of her performance. Further into the performance, Rihanna and her backup dancers performed a well-synchronized choreography, that complemented the groovy rhythm that accompanied the song's lyrics:
"Like bra, bra, bra/ Louis XIII, and it's all on me, ni**a, you just bought a shot/ Kamikaze, if you think that you gon' knock me off the top/ Sh*t, your wife in the backseat of my brand new foreign car/ Don't act like you forgot,"
4. Love On The Brain live at Global Citizen Festival 2016
In September 2016, the Umbrella crooner graced the stage of the Global Citizen Festival held at New York City's Central Park, singing her doo-wop-inspired song, Love On The Brain.
Love On The Brain is the fourth single from the singer's eighth studio project, Anti.
Rihanna was dressed in a white statement-sleeved top, accented by a black romper suit, hoop earrings, a neck scarf, and black diamond-encrusted pumps as she sang:
"Baby, keep loving me/ Just love me, yeah/ Just love me/ All you need to do is love me, yeah/ Got me like, ow/ I'm tired of being played like a violin/ What do I gotta do to get in your motherfuckin' heart?"
The soulful rendition was accented by Rihanna's strong vocals that blended with the well-layered backup and the R&B-inspired instrumentals promoted the overall melodious appeal of their voices.
5. Lift Me Up live at The 2023 Oscars
Rihanna delivered her groundbreaking single, Lift Me Up, at the annual Academy Awards show that was held on March 12, 2023. This emotional song from Marvel's superhero movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was released on October 28, 2023, in honor of Late actor Chadwick Boseman.
The Barbadian musician, dressed in a black crystal-encrusted top with matching pants, captured the hearts of everyone with her emotion-filled performance, which featured lyrics:
"Burning in a hopeless dream/ Hold me when you go to sleep/ Keep me in the warmth of your love/ When you depart, keep me safe/ Safe and sound,"
From Ri's commanding vocals to the sonorous vocals of the background singers, and the orchestral playing solemnly, the performance went down as one of the night's best highlights.
6. Rihanna's Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show
On February 12, 2023, the superstar made headlines with her Emmy-nominated performance at the NFL's Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show. Within the thirteen-minute performance duration, the Fenty CEO performed a 12-song medley from her wide music catalog, which included hits like Work, Umbrella, Rude Boy, and Diamonds, amongst others.
The pop star wore a red custom-made Loewe catsuit, alongside a matching red flight suit, and a leather-made corset. For unrestricted leg movement, she chose a pair of red Salomon kicks, completing the all-red color scheme.
Aside from her carefully executed choreographies and her smooth vocal acrobatics, another major highlight of the show was the revelation of her pregnancy.
7. Rihanna, Coldplay and Jay-Z live at The closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games
On September 12, 2012, the nine-time Grammy award winner, Rihanna, was joined by Coldplay and American rapper/businessman, Jay-Z, to wrap up the London 2012 Paralympic Games Ceremony.
The performance started with Coldplay's rendition of their 2011 hit song, Us Against the World, after which they sang other hit songs, including Up in Flames, and Yellow.
Riri co-performed the Princess of China with the band and single-handedly belted her dance-pop bop, We Found Love, with lyrics like:
"Shine a light through an open door/ Love and life, I will divide/ Turn away 'cause I need you more/ Feel the heartbeat in my mind/ It's the way I'm feeling, I just can't deny/ But I've gotta let it go,"
Jay-Z, later teamed up with Rihanna and Coldplay to perform his smash hit record, Run This Town, before the band later ended the ceremony singing Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, a song from their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto.
8. Pon de Replay (AOL sessions)
In October 2009, the global superstar performed her RIAA platinum-certified dancehall single, Pon de Replay, at an exclusive performance at the AOL sessions. Released on May 24, 2005, Pon de Replay is the musician's official debut single and the lead single from her first studio album, Music of the Sun.
The singer, clothed in a black and white striped cropped top and a pair of black shorts, delivered an energetic rendition of the 2005 hit with lyrics:
"It goes one by one, even two by two/ Everybody on the floor, let me show you how we do/ Let's go, dip it low, then, you bring it up slow/ Wind it up one time, wind it back once more,"
The performance featured Rihanna and two female backup dancers grooving to the upbeat rhythm of the dance song. Towards the end of the performance, there's a change in the tempo as two male dancers hit the stage, giving nicely coordinated dance steps. Rihanna took the stage again to close off the performance with her clean vocals and dance moves.
These live performances showcase the singer's musical range and her ability to keep her audiences entertained.
