Rihanna made her long-awaited return to the stage tonight at The Concert for Valor, which aired live on HBO.
Serving as a prelude of sorts to the official kick off of her comeback campaign, the performance was surprisingly…decent.
The 26-year-old delivered rousing renditions of ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Stay’, which left us wondering if she’s put down the cigarettes for good.
Peep the performances after the jump…
Credit where it’s due, she did that.
Are the days of Ms. Fenty sounding like Gollum finally behind us? Time will tell.
Who is this girl? I hear control, I hear head voice, chest voice, runs, falsetto, a belt here and there and still that pop character in her voice. Although she always killed these two songs, but this was really good. I think the break was needed, R8, Rihanna, I’m ready.
Her vocal range is so limited as usual. She is just a mediocre like Ciara. I feel bad for her fans.
shine bright like a…scrapped metal. 🙁
omg, it was all over the place, vocally.
don’t trust me?
put your headphone on and listen.
I’d give her B…just for her effort. The rest… B-
She has yet to deliver something unique to be considered legendary. Everything she does has already been done by another artist before. Legends have at least one iconic thing to be remembered for, for example Aretha for her voice, Janet for her dance, MJ for her performances etc. Rihanna doesn’t have anthing that screams Rihanna.
investing in a vocal class wouldn’t be such a bad idea, imo.
Dead at you praising her over basic singing musts she should be doing all the time anyway.
just 3 octaves, 2 notes…. LOL
You are so musically incompetent it is not even funny. There was no vocal control present in any of these performances. Her technique is still subpar with her inability to keep a neutral larynx and poor breath support. There was no head voice used in these performance. Learn the difference between falsetto and head voice so that you can stop spreading fallacies; better yet, go learn about vocal pedagogy so you can finally stop typing half retarded statements about vocals.
Impressive for RIHANNA but impressive as an artist of more than 7years to say the least isn’t impressive AT ALL! Like Bey on crack ! CONFIDENT yes. Stage presence NO! Sat in one spot only one person does that well! Her runs and SLIGHT control was VERY SUPRISUNG but not WOWING!!
Ppl this girl may be finally rehearsal and or seeing a vocal COACH! Or TAKING THOSE WELL NEEDED NOTES!
After seeing your comment I was actually hyped to see this coz I personally don’t mind Rihanna’s corrected studio songs but I was quite disappointed. She can barely hit the top notes in Diamonds. And control and head voice??? Where???
Recycling…
once a sl*t…always a sl*t !!!
🙁
Flat like a goat ….
And your mother p**** smells like a dead goat run along
When she writes a song by herself, yes she could be called a legend like Mariah and Janet.
can’t speak for diamonds but stay was pretty good. she always does that.
been a while i listened to anything from her.
time for new songs. 🙂
She doesn’t have it! Sad to see a studio singer trying to make a living by scamming her tone-deaf fans.
Tragic. 🙁
Minus that glittery costume and make up, what’s left for this over-rated goat?
Mariah & Beyonce’s stans remain un-bothered by this forgettable piece of garbage.
Nice try though. 😆
The trolling couldn’t be anymore obvious
You’re right the Lambs & the BeeHive (both of which I belong to) are unbothered, so why are you so trolling so bad if you’re unbothered?
Yasss..flat like her tits!
Shrine bright like a scrapped metal????
😆 😆 😆
please, someone please hire a vocal coach for her…. pleaseeeeeee!!!
Your hating ass need a job instead u on rih post doing the most stfu
this was a good performances and she was so energetic
cocaine… 🙁
I can’t with ALL those fake accounts up there. Names I never seen on this site, lol.
you might change yours too?!? it’s refreshing.
every day other cookies. 😉
you all know how i feel towards rihanna, but i have to admit she sounded pretty good here. so good job rih!
serious question: is the monster tour over or is it still going on but no one’s talking about it??!
I liked both performances but i like the diamonds performance better then stay. Go rih!
Do you not care how unprofessional this blog looks with you throwing out all that unnecessary shade??? Anyways can’t wait for R8!!! #QueenRih
She can only do like low notes….
She hit her falsettos, something Beyoncé can’t do. #opps
Dont do it. You will get dragged effortlessly.
Bey can hit any note…. F*** you talkin bout???
Lmao don’t get crazy, I won’t even go there about Beys vocal abilities
Why would a vocalist like Beyonce choose to use a disconnected falsetto when she could just use her rich and connected head voice like she always does?
#Musically incompetent
She did that perfectly!
Oop Rihanna just proved all the haters wrong, she sang and snatched this, I’m SK ready for R8.
,
Beautiful performance Rih
She always does these songs justice, let her try “we found love” yikes
Rih looked and sounded great! Her performances of Stay are always great! Such a beautiful song
SHE IS QUEEN SHE IS PERFECTION HEAR HER ROAR.HER VOCALS WERE CRAZY!!!!HER OUTFIT WAS CLASSY(FINALLY) SHE EXUDED A MEGASTAR WHO HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD R8 THE NAVY IN THIS BITCHHH
Go Riri!
She always brings her A+ game on these two songs. Her stage presence on these were phenomenal.
.
It’s high time for her to make her lasting legacy in the music industry, I hope she makes good of this opportunity. From what I’m seeing so far, I think she will.
Lol ok I watched it, it was good for her standards. But they aint particularly vocally challenging songs to sing so don’t even try to bring anyone else into this you look stupid.
But serious question. Why does Rihanna always give her best performances for TV and not for her fans on Tour? Do yall not see the shade Navy?
Probably cause she thinks she can do what she wants on her tour LOL…
People talking mad s*** about her but still checking on her non stop. She’s an amazing artist with a unique voice. No matter what she does, you already have some sorts of impression about her. No talent really, she prettier than most of your favorite and among the youngest artists to sell out stadiums and one of the most sought of artist of our generation. Bring on R8!!
YAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS RIRI! This bish sounded good. She should get the Queen Bee / Queen of Rap Lil’ Kim on her new album. We need a Riri and Lil’ Kim collab NOW!
Like Sam, I have to give credit where it’s due. She did a great job. I was actually presently surprised. She does have some work to do but she’s come a looooooong way vocally since that infamous ‘Hero’ cover. And she actually gave some emotion and a bit of movement as well which I enjoyed. Good job Ri. Keep improving.
hope she will write her own songs in the future. 🙁
Really good. She was in rare form vocally. I’m impressed
Great performances. Vocals on point. The Haters running mental problem. Rihanna remains unbother. And the trolling, where did they come from? I haven’t seen such screen name here before. You haters need to take ur irrelevant ass to somewhere else or better yet look for sth Great to do. Haters running their mouths like they suffering from dysentery.
Mediocre performances and selling some cute singles don’t make you a legend.
she is not well-known for her vocal talent…. 🙁
It was good for her standards, but she always does somewhat decent on those two songs. I give her C+…. Rihanna, no shade sis you should’ve been in somebody Vocal lessons these past 2years. Hey if her fan accepet her mediocre singing then I love it.
Not Shade either, Truth kids . Have a blessed day to all Muah!!!!!!!!!!!
you people talk about how versatile she is, but the bulk of her hits are either dance-pop or hip-hop hooks.
Most legends can sell tours off their name, and Rihanna just got of Groupon status. Most legends have the impact to be able to take time off if they wish… and… you see where this is going….
I’m not wowed by it….as usual.
Get real.
Rihanna has only 3 octaves, 2 notes
especially live, becomes nasal.
She also can miss notes pitch wise, and in earlier recordings be off key. Her live vocal performances are always hit or miss. Her voice has been a constant work in progress and sadly this is a…miss.
I’m Sorry Ri-Whine-A NEVER DOES IT FOR ME!! That goat sound STILL NEEDS VOCAL LESSONS I’m not here for her her voice is ALWAYS SHADY & IMMATURE!! I have spoken…..
Rihanna-
Lowest Note: Bb2
Highest Belt: F5
Highest Note: C#6
Exclamation: G7
Longest Note: 11 seconds
Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano verging along Contralto (3 Octaves, 2 notes)
Vocal Rating: C-List
Recommended Listenings: Stay, Where Have You Been, What Now
Mariah Carey has thrilled and shocked audiences with her astounding voice for almost two decades. Wielding a 5 octave vocal range (G#2-G#7), few singers can match her skill, power or technique. This video demonstrates her live vocal range and proves that she is not just a studio artist.
She has yet to deliver something unique to be considered legendary. Everything she does has already been done by another artist before. Legends have at least one iconic thing to be remembered for, for example Aretha for her voice, Janet for her dance, MJ for her performances etc. Rihanna doesn’t have anthing that screams Rihanna. Lol no.
Madonna is a legend, Mariah is a legend and Whitney was a legend but Rihanna is no where even close to their level.
🙁
Mediocre performances and selling some cute singles don’t make you a legend.
Yeah Whitney was a legend for abusing coke. Moreover, Rihanna is iconnic. However not legendary. I agree completely. Furthermore she is not far from being considered legendary tho. Those people that you named all possessed a lucrative talent, but just those things don’t make them legends. Music is just one aspect of Rihannas influence. She has become a force in many industries regardless of how you guys feel. Especially the hive who are always present under false accounts to throw shade. Shouldn’t you guys be making a payment plan to rih purchase Boreawnsay?
I like you Rihboy, but PLEASE don’t come for Queen Whitney. Please don’t.
Sorry I had a moment. R.i.p.
LOL her highest note an F5?, she just a standar singer, it’s nothing great in her voice, she always crack and off key, you can listen all that issues in both performances, she struggles with her falsetto, she has no control, she’s good in other ways, but she’s everything but a true vocalist, no shade.
an example for a true vocalist right now: Mriah, Xtina, Jessie J, JHud, Ariana, etc
Just like Beyonce…And the thing is, she never deserved that award. Hahhahaaha
Quit using the Queen’s name b****.
Obviously Rihanna is not yet a legend, that title comes after many years in the industry, but the fact that y’all STILL try and argue that she has no impact.
NOT at @LooseBottom busy trolling instead being at school or working..
She sounded amazing. No theatrics, no exploring your family on stage, no booty shaking bimbos behind you. Just raw live emotional attachment. Moreover she looked absolutely breath taking, and her hair was laid for Aphrodite! such a great promotional move.
Gurrrl your fave did OK you dont have to shade singers who are still better than her. Its embarrassing for you.
Rihanna is just like Lady Gaga. Not quite original and struggling to prove herself while her competitors do not need any thug rapper to sell tickets in a stadium.
Channeling Aretha once more I see. She distracted her audiences by moving hands like a retarded school girl on period…. while her voice was mediocre per usual.
Failed!
Channel these nuts.
Rihanna has only 3 octaves, 2 notes. That’s about it.
It’s not about how many octaves you have. It’s about your emotional connection and your notes having full resonance with correct breath control. All of which she did, so you and your trolling accounts can go sit down. I’ve never seen something so pressed in my life.
She did great and I LOVE her look here! That hair with her gorgeous eyes… she looks simply beautiful.
Rihanna—-> Gaga——> Kelly Clarkson—> Fantasia Barrino.
😆
Fantasia will blow those women out of the water, back into the water, and right back out again, however, Kelly Clarkson can sing.
yes,,,Rihanna should take a break. Recycling performance is kind of desperate.
You stupid Fanny will blow all of them, and give them life on MARS!!!!!!!
It’s really sad that this site , a black entertainment blog, has given this young woman so much flack while the rest of the world can appreciate and enjoy her contributions to music and entertainment.
Why do black people do this?
Why are you guys so negative?
The rest of the world loves her. But you guys choose to bash one of your own. Who happens to be one of the biggest stars in the world. And that’s a big deal for a young black woman. Smh.
We love her too. I’m hard on her Because I feel she doesn’t give it her all. Rihanna can do A lot better than what she does, and the NAVY knows that. At the end of the day I’m tired of her Mediocre singing, when I know she can do alot better.
Take this how you choose, IMO no other race sings down like blacks………
Riri is a just studio singer selling her p**** juice to the highest bidder. B
ig difference with Mariah, Janet, Whitney and Aretha. People will remember her as Chris Brown’s punching bag forever. Amen.
The greatest thing Rihanna has ever achieved … getting bruises from her ex-bf.
😆
Diamonds was a little off but she actually sounded good!
flat,uninspired basic vocals from rih rih as always
Coming from a Ciara stan? Lmao when will she ever?
I agree. It was kinda flat and generic like many of her performances. Now I understand why she is not an album artist. 🙁
Great vocals im so ready for #R8.
Time to sell some clothes with Tamar Braxton…
😀
This !!!!
R8 will flop…mark my words.
When she writes a song by herself, yes she could be called a legend like Mariah and Janet.
When she sells stadium by herself, yes she could be called a legend like Mariah and Janet.
Um the Queen of Music and the Queen of Dance have nothing to do with Rihanna being certified a legend. When the dust settles, Rihanna will be legend.
Bloooooooooop check the unapologetic tour the b**** packed them hollla
When she sell her album 350k 1st week sales on Billboard 200, yes she could be called a legend like Mariah and Janet…
cocaine has ruined her voice, finally. sounds so coarse to me.
I agree with Sam……it was decent !!!!
maybe it is time for this goat to sit at home…writing her own songs to become a legend.
🙁
Poor RIH, GETTING BASHED FOR SHOWING HER TALENT or lack thereof…
Please don’t put b in the same sentence with Mariah, she couldn’t even sing live at the freakin inauguration she is smoke and mirrors and quiet as it’s kept rihanna can out sing her these days
It’s quite a jab they wanted rihanna and not us born bey, rihanna is the bigger and more authentic star her Stan’s will never accept it but they don’t have to.
Go Rihanna!
The negativity in the comments was not needed but she did she did deliver with these performances
She was decent. Her Diamonds performance was flat in places but overall she was decent. Good job.
Vocals flatter then her pancake ass 🙁
She actually killed “stay” … Kudos to her .
Her Stay performance was really good and Diamonds was alright, some of her vocals were flat but overall I think she did better than ‘decent’ she did good. I think she did needed the break and to the haters trolling, she delivered with these peformances, she can sing and you can’t put her on the level of Ciara or Britney Spears. She has more work to do but with each album she improves so just give her credit
investing in a vocal class wouldn’t be such a bad idea,
😆
This is the Rihanna I love, no auto tune, playback, dancers.She gave us emotion,vocals,falsetto and that cute vibrato.Rihanna is no Whitney but definitely worth watching live.
Vocals:
Mariah- A
Beyonce- B+
Adele A
Christina B+
Lady Gaga C+/-
Katy Perry C+
Rihanna C+ D+/- depending on level of intoxication
😀
slay!
THIS IS THE MAIN REASON WHY PEOPLE DIDNT BUT HER ALBUMS.
she was so high on cocaine till she forgot to sing well… 🙁
I’ve never seen so much trolling lol wow anyways rih did better than she usually does at least she tried but like someone said she can do alot better …I will always love & support you rih so ready for r8
investing on drugs vs a vocal coach.
riri, you need to smarten up.
your flat pancake ass is showing.
Ok the performance was cute tbh but I’m sorry her vocals were all over the place u can tell she was running out of breathe at times,but I’ll give it a c(coke) for effort wasn’t her best and def not her worst
I cried. It was like return of the queen. Omg. Perfection!
She looked and sounded great, marvelous.
The diamonds performance wasn’t great at all, Stay was much better. If everyone including the navy say this is an improvement then i don’t understand why they would get all pressed before when people said she sounded like s*** live lol. Anyway this site is crawling with simpletons so can’t expect too much I guess
LOL YASS RIH.. THE MORE YALL TALK ABOUT HER THE BIGGER SHE IS BECOMING.. LMAOO CAN’T WAIT FOR R8!!