RIHANNA RETURNS ON THE SUPER BOWL STAGE

The Super Bowl halftime performance is one of the biggest stages each year to perform as an artist, and we saw another on Feb. 12. These artists – this time, Rihanna – have under 15 minutes to perform their big hits, and I can only imagine how hard it must be to choose from a discography such as hers.

Whether you know her name or not, I am sure if I were to play you one of her songs you would at least recognize it. As someone who grew up listening to her music, I was more than excited to see her perform, even if it was just on my TV at home.

Rihanna has not released an album since 2016, and she has not toured in seven years. In fact, her most recent song was a ballad for the “Wakanda Forever” movie called “Lift Me Up.” Even before that she had not released music in years. Last month, people had placed all sorts of bets on her Super Bowl performance, ranging from her opening song to which songs she would sing at all, given the time limit.

Rihanna started her show with “B**** Better Have My Money,” suspended on a hanging platform in the middle of the stadium. It was an epic way to open. She also was visibly pregnant with her second child (something she confirmed after her performance on social media).

There was some controversy about her show. Some people loved it, while others were mildly disappointed, saying that there was not much to it. Sure, it was not as extravagant as other Super Bowl shows that had huge props and costume changes, but there is a story that I think goes deeper than most saw. That story deals with the songs she chose to sing.

This is a deep and beautiful love story she deals with in the songs she chose to perform. She starts off strong and independent with “B**** Better Have My Money.” Then she transitions to this idea of finding someone, when she sings “Where Have You Been” and “Only Girl in the World.” Then she performs “We Found Love,” to represent the act of falling for each other.

She then acknowledges break-ups and those hardships with her song “Rude Boy.” She chooses her next song “Work” to describe one’s focus on self. Then there is this temptation to go back to that same person (relationship), when she sings “Wild Thoughts.” When she sings “Pour It Up,” she represents the mindset that you should not care what anybody else says.

There is a notable shift when she performs “All of the Lights,” in the lyrics pretty much cover this one, “if you want it, you can get it for the rest of your life.” Her song “Run This Town” shows this idea of we can do anything – it’s ‘us against the world’ vibes. She shows the hardships that come with relationships with her hit “Umbrella,” and ends her story with “Diamonds,” showing that this love can last forever.

For those who said Rihanna did not do much more than sing, I disagree. She gave such an amazing performance. For the songs that people wanted to hear but didn’t, including her first big hit, “Pon De Replay,” or “Disturbia” or “Love on the Brain,” and many more are now streaming at high rates on Spotify and Apple Music – which is a genius move by the artist and business owner. She knew what she was doing.

Special shoutout, too, to the American sign language (ASL) interpreter, who was owning her moment to the people at home, translating the songs Rihanna performed. You could tell she has known the songs for a while, given her facial expressions and overall vibe she gave off. She did so well!

Rihanna gave an amazing performance, her voice was stunning, the visuals were simple but moving. She gave us a halftime show to remember.