Many phrases got here to thoughts throughout Rihanna’s Tremendous Bowl efficiency final evening. Primarily, Twitter could not assist however ask, “Is she pregnant?”
The 34-year-old worldwide pop star returned to the stage for the primary time in over 5 years finally evening’s Tremendous Bowl LVII Halftime Present. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs confronted off towards the Philadelphia Eagles in what absolutely was an important recreation, however we wouldn’t know — we solely cared about tuning in simply in time for Rihanna to take the stage.
The famous person descended from the sky on a floating platform, dripping in pink and sporting a puffer jacket draping her shoulders in a nod to the late vogue icon André Leon Talley. She smiled slyly earlier than rubbing her stomach, casually asserting her second being pregnant, then launched into “Bitch Higher Have My Cash,” a cocky demand for what she’s owed and a cheeky opener, contemplating she declined the NFL’s invitation to carry out on the Tremendous Bowl in 2018 in assist of Colin Kaepernick.
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We had been rapidly awed by the breadth of Rihanna’s discography, as she transitioned to “The place Have You Been” with a “Cockiness (Love It)” overlay, then “Solely Lady In The World,” “We Discovered Love,” and “S&M.” Lots of of dancers of all genders draped in white hoodies flipped, twerked, and gyrated round her on stage in a blinding show of swagger. She crammed as many hits as potential into the 13-minute set, which picked up with an island-inspired transition into “Impolite Boy,” a fast nod to “Kiss It Higher,” “Work,” and “Wild Ideas.” There’s nothing fairly like Rihanna singing, “White lady wasted on that brown liquor,” that transports you right into a sweaty nightclub.
Then, she gave us “Pour It Up,” channeling Rosalía for a Ok-pop-esque efficiency of ANTI B-side “Pose,” and nodded to a few her options with “The entire Lights” and “Run This City.” At that time, much more puffer-clad dancers swarmed the sphere for one of many coolest spectacles of the present, as she walked again to the floating platform to ascend into the air as soon as extra for the music that launched her into worldwide stardom: “Umbrella.” In considerably of a missed alternative, it appeared potential then that one among her frequent collaborators like Eminem or Jay-Z might need made an look — though Rihanna very deliberately stood alone. Elevated over the stadium, she ended the set with one among her favourite songs to carry out and the right nearer, the Sia-penned observe “Diamonds.”
All in all, the set was low-key. When you’ve saved up with Rihanna’s numerous entrepreneurial Fenty initiatives she’s launched up to now few years, it arguably felt a bit like an extension of one among her Fenty vogue reveals. It was a glossy manufacturing, a seductive catwalk, and a remixed celebration of her a long time of hits. Basically, it was a simple efficiency: not too many frills, no costume adjustments, and, regardless of teasing company, the one featured visitor was the unseen one in her stomach. Actually, it was the primary Tremendous Bowl efficiency with no shock look from different artists in latest reminiscence. Rihanna needed to make it clear she had nothing to show — that her hits converse for themselves.
Not everybody was happy by this cultural reset. Many followers and critics known as it one-note and underwhelming. The critiques are honest, particularly if you evaluate it to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 Halftime Present full of choreography, stunts, and a Dangerous Bunny cameo, or how Girl Gaga launched herself from the stadium roof in 2017 and Katy Perry rode onto the sphere on the again of an enormous animatronic tiger again in 2016.
However Rihanna hasn’t been involved with being that form of pop star in years, particularly since refocusing her efforts from music to her numerous Fenty ventures and household. And if you throw her newest being pregnant into the combination, this Tremendous Bowl efficiency slides effortlessly into the Rihanna mythos.
The one query left is that if this Rihanna live performance at a soccer recreation was the famous person working a victory lap — or a refined retirement announcement?
Earlier than she took the stage, Rihanna informed Apple Music’s HalfTime press convention final Friday that it was “vital for me to do that this yr. It’s vital for illustration, it’s vital for my son to see that.”
It appears possible that one other lengthy hiatus from new music is on the best way. Although she gave followers two new ballads on the Black Panther: Wakanda Without end soundtrack final yr, this is perhaps the final we see of Rihanna, the pop star, for an unsure period of time, particularly contemplating the information of her second being pregnant. When requested about new music and her ninth studio album, Rihanna stated, “Musically, I’m feeling open. I’m feeling open to exploring, discovering, creating issues which might be new, issues which might be totally different, issues which might be off, bizarre, may not ever make sense to my followers, you realize, the those that know the music that I put out. I simply need to play. I need to have enjoyable. I need to have enjoyable with music.”
After cranking out 14 No. 1s, she’s actually allowed the house to play. However followers are impatient. In spite of everything, it has been seven years since her final album ANTI was launched.
Perfection doesn’t have a deadline, although. Rihanna will return on her phrases, when (and the way) she needs to, subverting expectations and remaining untouchable within the course of. That is Rihanna’s world, and we’re simply watching from the sidelines.
