Rihanna Puts In Work, Work, Work For Her MTV VMA Performances

She did the damn thing.
Rihanna performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards at Madison Square Gareden on Aug. 28, 2016 in New York City.
Rihanna performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards at Madison Square Gareden on Aug. 28, 2016 in New York City.
John Shearer via Getty Images

Rihanna started off the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards with a bang and lots of bubblegum pink.

The “Work” singer started off the show with four of her classic pop hits, “Don’t Stop the Music,” “Only Girl In The World,” “We Found Love” and “Where Have You Been.”

She slayed.

Rihanna performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards at Madison Square Garden Aug. 28, 2016, in New York City.
Rihanna performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards at Madison Square Garden Aug. 28, 2016, in New York City.
John Shearer via Getty Images
YESSS.
YESSS.
Kevin Kane via Getty Images

For her second performance, Rihanna brought the crowd to the club with a remix of her 2009 hit “Rude Boy,” followed by “What’s My Name” and a complete performance of “Work.”

Yes, this is what we came for:

YASSSS.
YASSSS.
Larry Busacca/MTV1617 via Getty Images

Rih opened her third act of the night with a pitchy rendition of “Needed Me” and a massive black coat. She ditched her coat and turned things up with “Pour It Up” and “Bitch Better Have My Money,” accompanied by backup dancers in thigh-high black boots and and straitjacket-like tops.

For her grand finale, Rihanna got glamorous, singing “Stay” and “Diamonds” backed by a full orchestra. Her saucy, soulful performance of “Love on the Brain” brought the damn house down.

At last, Drake (all dressed up in a tux!) presented Rihanna with her highly anticipated Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. His emotional speech recognized the living legend’s incredible talent, work ethic and fashion sense.

Rihanna thanked her country, Barbados, for believing in her, as well as her best friends, family, team and, of course, MTV. So well deserved!

Before You Go

Beyonce and Blue Ivy

MTV VMAs Red Carpet 2016

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