Rihanna stepped away from the Anti World Tour to grace the Billboard Music Awards stage where she delivered a great performance of "Love on the Brain."
The song is a bluesy ballad that gives Rih an opportunity to show off her expanded vocal skills. She put her heart into the lyrics.
Must be love on the brain/That's got me feeling this way/It beats me black and blue but it fucks me so good/And I can't get enough
Though "vocalist" might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of her, it cannot be denied that Rihanna has put in work to be a better performer. Compare this outing to some of those from early on in her career. There's a marked difference.
Rihanna just can't seem to make a bad video. With each of her visuals the Bajan popstar shows audiences that she's got great taste and knows how to pick a creative team.
"Kiss It Better" is the third video from her critically-acclaimed Anti. The first two for "Work" were lively and colorful. This one is bare and grey-scale. Rihanna writhes in sheer silk lingerie while singing of her lover's touch. It is sexy but never veers into the pornographic. Even the removal of her camisole feels like an act of longing not desperation.
The track utilizes the conventions of 80s r&b that have become fashionable, once again. It has an slinky Prince feel and the video gives shades of "Kiss," with the fabric-covered writhing.
But, ultimately, "Kiss It Better" is Rihanna stripped down performing sincerity. Rihanna often delivers us striking and vibrant representations of her music, but she doesn't often give us this kind of beauty. "Kiss It Better" is a treat.
La'Porsha Renae is a standout on the final season of American Idol. She first caught our attention with this stunning duet with Fantasia Barrino, but week after week, she's delivered marvelous takes on popular songs.
This week she took Rihanna's 2012 hit, "Diamonds," to new heights with an emotional performance. La'Porsha's dynamics are truly stunning. With ease she goes from sweet and soft to a powerful belt.
Not only does Miss Renae need to win the entire thing, but we cannot wait to cop her album as soon as we can.
I took the Rihanna and Drake break up pretty hard. Not since Britney and Justin wore those matching denim outfits to the American Music Awards in 2001, have I been so convinced that two global superstars were so right together. Two of the most influential artists of the day sharing pillow talk is just too good to be true.
It seems like Drake was pretty sure of it too. From listening to the couple of songs he released after they rekindled their situationship (?) in 2014, Drake was sprung. Meanwhile, Rihanna hasn't acknowledged the pairing publicly. That's why she'll always be queen.
What she has done is given us another number one song,two videos, and more opportunity to speculate on the hold she has on Aubrey.
The two premiered "Work" at the Brits yesterday with "Consideration" as an intro. Vocally it was a solid effort from Rihanna who has reportedly been battling bronchitis. But the highlight of those 4 minutes was the AubRih action.
In matching white, Rihanna backed it up into a proper whine on Drake, and the joy of the moment was palpable.
Look at the gifs! Drake is clearly just happy he has the chance to breathe the same air as Queen Rih, and we don't blame him
Rihanna held nothing back for her new videos for the first single from her eighth LP, Anti. In two clips for "Work" by Director X and Tim Erem, Rihanna wines and cozies up to Drake.
The first finds the two at Toronto's The Real Jerk in the middle of bash. Rihanna shows off her best skills alone and with her former boo. We also get a healthy dose of authentic Caribbean dancing from the extras.
The second is far more intimate. It's just Rih and Drake in a pink-toned room. Rih dances seductively. Drake looks simultaneously pained and pleased. The two have been intimate in videos before, but this one induces near second hand embarrassment as Rihanna's effortless cool met's Drake's special brand of corny.
Carefree Rih is back! Rihanna and Drake unite again for the video for her new single, "Work." The video features Rihanna doing her best islang gyal wine with some twerking to boot. In this clip we get just enough to tide us over until the full length video premieres on Monday.
While Rihanna has always reminded us of her island roots, a video edit by artist and photographer Seye Isikalu, pays tribute to Jamaica’s Queen of the Dancehall, Patra. In the video, we see Patra wining in her "Queen of the Pack" video from 1993 to Rihanna's new single, "Work." The two Island queens are a match made in heaven. The result is a fun celebration of Caribbean culture.
The time has finally come. After a year of delays, Rihanna is finally rolling out her 8th album, Anti. The first sing, Work, sees Rih tapping into her island roots for a likely hit.
The single features Drake who shows up at the end to pour out his love for the global superstar once again. Work is fun and a bit of a departure from the three singles the Bajan beauty dropped last year.
The single drop is just in time for the kickoff of Rihanna's world tour in February, and we'll reportedly get a full album in the coming days.
Here's the cover art.
Listen to Work below. The song starts around 1:40.
