Vanguard Recipient Rihanna Performs Four Times At MTV VMAs

Fans and critics alike have supported the choice to award Rihanna with the 2016 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, and with an unprecedented four performances on the Madison Square Garden stage, the bad gal made it clear that this was the right choice.

She opened the show with a medley of some of her hits including “We Found Love” and “Where Have You Been,” with a gaggle of dancers clad in white as Rih was front and center bringing the house down.

Her second performance featured a medley of her hits “Work,” “Rude Boy” and “Pon De Replay,” and continued bringing the island vibes to Manhattan with interpolations of Chaka Demus’ “Murder She Wrote.”

The next performance featured a psychedelic rendition of “Needed Me” and positively bad a** versions of “Pour It Up” and “B***h Better Have My Money.”

Her final performance was an intimate performance of her hits “Stay,” “Diamonds” and her newest single “Love On The Brain” featuring a white backdrop and a stunning sounding orchestra which complimented her emotional and raw singing chops.

Mary J. Blige and Tracee Ellis Ross were some of the stars who paid homage to the talented musician, while Drake presented Rihanna with the award at the end of the night, and sealed it with not one, but two kisses. Check out all four of the Bajan beauty’s performances in full under the jump (Courtesy of MTV).