Finally had some free time to write my review of her recent amazing performance in Rock in Rio. Just gonna start by saying how I'm so proud of her for improving so much since her 2010 and 2011 ones that she did in the past, and how she had great energy, and you can tell that she wanted to be there.
Before reviewing the performance, I'm just gonna say that I didn't like her outfit at all, but I kinda didn't care because knowing Rihanna, she doesn't care about her outfits during festivals. But gotta say that I loved the hair and the make up. She looked flawless. Although, I always ask myself why Rihanna wears those huge jackets or coats. They're obviously not comfortable at all, and you can see she struggled to move wearing that huge ugly thing.
I liked how they changed the arrangement of some the songs. Comes in my mind: Only Girl (In The World) was a great change for her, yeah, she's still doesn't perform the full song, but it wasn't cringeworthy like before. But they did We Found Love so wrong by adding the rock tune in it. I hate how the song sound now, I can say that the performance of We Found Love was her worst and ONLY one in this year Rock in Rio, so, that's pretty great for Rihanna.
Now I'm gonna breakdown the performances by talking about every single performance (IMO):
1. Only For a Night (Intro): I still don't get Rihanna's decision for choosing this song to be her Intro for her most recent performances, and maybe the potential album opener. I don't like the original song, and I think this intro/song is overrated among the navy. Although, I liked the transition between the intro and Rockstar 101. 2. Rockstar 101: I don't even need to talk about this performance, because it's a known fact that Rihanna doesn't have a single (that I don't know about) bad performance of this song. I love how the fog played a part in this one because it gave the song more edge. 3. Only Girl (In The World): Hands down her best performance of this song in a recent memory. I love how they changed the first part when she always had struggled with, and they made it just perfect for her to sing. Yeah, she doesn't sing chorus, but somehow that didn't cringe me at all. Overall good job with that one, Rihanna. 4. S&M: I love the new arrangement of the song. You can say that she had fun while performing this one. Yeah, another song when she skips the chorus, but I kinda don't mind because the song is very hard for her to sing. She did just fine, I guess. 5. Phresh Out the Runway: Nothing new during that performance. She served DWT realness, but I can say that the crowd was having so much fun during the performance. I still don't know what the hell is she saying in that song, but glad she made it short. 6. Jump: Love the studio version so much, but somehow I was never a big fan of the live version. Maybe because how her voice is so low, and you can barely hear her. 7. Birthday Cake (Remix): When she stopped the song, and she was shook by the crowd singing the whole thing. I was laughing so much. Overall she did great with that one. 8. Rude Boy: Nothing memorable from this one, but she did alright. 9. What's My Name?: Again nothing memorable, but I gotta say that I enjoyed her vocals during this one, but I need her to sing the high notes again. 10. Talk That Talk: Love this song live so much. She always does it justice. I like the "ooh, ohh, ohh" parts. I liked when they showed Sam Smith. He was having so much fun. 11. Featuring Medley: Live Your life / Run this town / All of the lights: A) Live Your life: you gotta love this live. You can tell that she enjoys performing it live so much. For me, I love it when she performs it, too. She can do no wrong with this song vocally. B) Run This Town and All of the Lights: Both songs are alright, I guess. But I need her to try performing other songs from her featuring catalog. I can live without All of the Lights. 12. Man Down: I'm shocked when I say to myself that was one of her best performances at that night. This is definitely her second best performance of the song after her Hackney one. She was really into it, and I liked how she started singing "RIO" with the crowd. That moment was amazing to see. Well done, Rihanna. I love her so much for doing this song justice. 13. Umbrella: Cute performance. Not bad nor good, but loved the fact that she was holding the Brazil flag the whole time. The crowd loved that moment. 14. Unfaithful: Ugh... don't even get me started in how this was AMAZING, and I'm sure if I wasn't a stan for her I'd stan after this performance. The vocals were on point, and her voice is just beautiful in this one. Love the fact that this song is the only song from her first two albums that she performed at that night. A true classic! 15. Love The Way You Lie (Part II): Rihanna can do no wrong performing this one since like the 2010 AMAs. You can't find a single bad performance of the song. 16. Take a Bow: Again... she was slaying her slowed songs so much. I did enjoy this one, too. 17. Cold Case Love: Another emotional performance of her medley of her slow songs. I still love The Last Song more than this one, but I can't complain. 18. Take Care: That was a weird choice for a feature to perform there. But it was okay, I guess. 19. Where Have You Been: I always enjoy seeing her performing this song for some reason. It's just perfect to watch her p*ssy popping, I guess. The crowd was living when she started doing it. 20. We Found Love: My only problem with this show is that one performance. It was all over the place, and the rock tune didn't work for me at all. I think this was her worst performance of that show. I hope she sticks with the original version in her upcoming tour. To be fair, she had energy during this one, so, I can't complain. 21. FourFiveSeconds: The song is so magical live. Shame that Rihanna didn't promote it that much to see her slaying it live. I think this song showcases her real vocals. Loved the last part when the crowd started clapping. It was a great moment. 22. Stay / Diamonds: Nothing to say here, but only that she did these songs justice like she always do. They're really classic when you think of Rihanna songs, and yeah, I LOVE WHEN Y'ALL SING MY ****!. 23. Pour It Up: I loved her raw vocals so much. Nothing much I can say, but I enjoyed this one. 24. Bitch Better Have My Money: What a great way to end a great show. This song is shaping up to be one of her most memorable songs ever. I guess Rihanna doesn't need to go to the #1 spot to make her songs global and memorable. I loved how her Brazil fans made the fake money, too. I got very emotional when she started thanking her Brazil fans. It was such a great moment for them.
Overall this show was in Hackney level, for sure. It was perfect from the start to the end, and now we can say that Rihanna destroyed her Rock in Rio curse. Now Rihanna, serve us the album that we're waiting for. Love you so so much. And yeah, have a nice day, Navy.
Agree on everything except Take Care
It's so rare to see her sing that song and I love it so much, it's my fave duet
Even if it's short, for me it's a highlight
The sample from Jamie XX the guitar chords
I'm praying for a song like that on R8
Agree on everything except Take Care
It's so rare to see her sing that song and I love it so much, it's my fave duet
Even if it's short, for me it's a highlight
It took me seconds after realising that the song is Take Care. I didn't see that coming from her.
7. Birthday Cake (Remix): When she stopped the song, and she was shook by the crowd singing the whole thing. I was laughing so much. Overall she did great with that one.
She stopped the song because the dancers were late tho.
She stopped the song because the dancers were late tho.
First time: no dancers
Second time: dancers
it was planned I think. I think she was gonna do it with no dancers, stop the song + get the crowd to sing. (like Feelin' Myself @ MIA, [again not saying she copied Bey, but it's the 1st that comes to mind])
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Can't wait for Chile, even tho I think it's gonna be RIR 2.0.
I hope she also uses interludes even if she recycles them from TMT/DWT.
