Rihanna's Video Vanguard Award: Drake Declares His Love, Riri Sings During Career-Spanning Four Part Performance

By Nicole Mastrogiannis

August 29, 2016

Drake, Rihanna

Rihanna, Robyn Fenti, Badgalriri, Riri, or simply Rih. All these names represent one very talented woman. From the time she dropped "Pon de Replay" in 2005 up until her most recent 2016 album Anti, Rihanna has had an incredible career over the last 10+ years. The Barbadian beauty has had multiple chart-topping singles, released eight studio albums, has traveled across the world multiple times to bring her music directly to her loyal #NAVY, not to mention success in the fashion/beauty world with her shoe lines and MAC collab. So it's easy to see why MTV chose to honor Rihanna with their Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award this year at the VMAs.

Rihanna kicked off the entire VMAs with her Video Vanguard performance, which was spread across three different points in the show. The first part of her career-spanning set included some of her biggest dance/EDM hits, rocking a futuristic outfit complete with cutout pants, graphic tee, and high ponytail. Rihanna performed "Only Girl (In The World), "We Found Love," and "Where Have You Been."

A little later in the show, Riri took the stage again to bring the island vibes to Madison Square Garden. With all of the island-influenced music happening today, and being from Barbados herself, Rihanna performed remixes of "Rude Boy," "What's My Name?," and finished the second portion of her performance with her first Anti single "Work."

Part Three of Rihanna's Video Vanguard performance called out many of her trap-inspired hits including Anti's "Needed Me," "Pour It Up," and finally, "B*tch Better Have My Money."

To close out her career-spanning four-part performance, Riri really made those amazing vocals soar with three ballads: "Stay," "Diamond," and her most recent single "Love On The Brain," wearing a gorgeous neutral color gown. Shine bright like a diamond indeed.

At the very end of the performance, she finally accepted her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and it was presented to her by none other than Drake, who was otherwise MIA during the rest of the show. Aubrey Drake Graham showed up on stage in a tuxedo, looking better than ever might we add, to present Rihanna with her award, and gave a very heartwarming speech.

During his speech, he talked about first meeting Riri while she was filming her music video for "Pon de Replay" in Toronto. He then went in to detail about her many accomplishments in the music industry, showering her with sweet compliments. And then, he basically declared his love for her in front of everyone. "We love the woman who hasn't changed since day one. She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old. She's one of my best friends in the world."

BOYFRIEND GOALS.

If you were hoping they'd seal the deal with a kiss after those sweet words, you were not alone. And just when it looked like it was going to happen, Riri gave him the cheek...

IT WILL HAPPEN ONE DAY. We are HERE for #AubRih.

On a serious not, congratulations to Rihanna on her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Photo: Getty Images

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