The songs we hope Rihanna will sing for her Super Bowl LVII performance

This week, Rihanna fans got the best surprise of all. “Badgal Riri” is coming out of her long musical hiatus to perform at Superbowl LVII. The Roc Nation artist and “R8” singer hasn’t yet spoken on the news, but she confirmed it on Instagram – with her tatted hand holding a NFL football.

The HYFIN team is very excited to see which songs will be on her set list in February. The new mom is definitely one to keep things private so, while we all wait, here are some tracks we hope she’ll pick. *insert emoji prayer hands*

‘Pon de Replay’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEauWw9ZGrA

This is where it all began for Queen Ri-Ri and fans. Sonically, it remains a very sturdy groove to this day. The track is a heavy nod to Rihanna’s West Indian background yet inflected with those heavy, late ‘90s synth, dance vibes. Some might say, this is one of her ‘lesser known’ hits, but it was so pivotal in her career. When this song made its debut there were a fleet of one-name R&B, Pop, Dance, “up-in-the-air” genre-type music artists clamoring for listens and chart placements. Needless to say, Rihanna has stood the test of time. As a man who fancies himself a buttery dancer (in my mind), I’m sure the choreography to this will be bonkers! Let’s just give her an extra 15 minutes off rip.

‘Work’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1UzIK-flA

‘Work’ has that more Caribbean, island energy. Sign me up. One thing that gets overlooked in Rihanna’s stellar body of work, is her actual singing prowess. Long story short, she’s really blowing on this one. Similar energy to ‘FourFiveSeconds’ but much funkier. I literally know of only one person who DOESN’T like this song, and he hates on Summer. So that tells you about the global appeal of ‘Work’ (5X). This song a ‘Must Perform’. Not sure the likelihood of Drake making an appearance but it’s akin to buffalo wings at your Super Bowl party – they’re still great with or without the ranch/blue cheese.

‘Pour It Up’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehcVomMexkY

One of my personal favorite aspects of Rihanna’s orbit is her leadership and ownership of her image, sound and output. ‘Album? My time!’ It’s refreshing to see the freedom and lack of pressure, if you will, along with the pure BOSS energy she exudes in both ‘Pour It Up’ and ‘B*tch Better Have My Money’. That said, nothing beats ‘sh*t talkin, in my bag, let’s celebrate this whole, I’m ME, don’t try ME, Bad Gyal RiRi’. Either of these personas exemplify a MC-Rihanna, whose bars are unmatched. These probably won’t make the set list (for the family-friendly reasons), but Rihanna does as she pleases and ‘Pour’ and ‘Money’ are sleeper tracks.

‘B*tch Better Have My Money’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQW2FFt3-A8

‘Loyalty’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlh-dzB2U4Y

It would be wildly historic for Rihanna to bring out Kendrick Lamar for ‘Loyalty’. This track is Top 3 from either of them, and this would make K. Dot the first artist to do back-to-back Super Bowls. Of course, she could also invite Eminem, T.I., DJ Khaled or Bryson Tiller to share the stage.

‘Umbrella’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvBfHwUxHIk

Low key, I’m hoping for Roc Nation boss and God MC, Jay-Z, Kanye and RiRi to reunite under the ‘Umbrella’ (You read that here first.) With that said, even a solo performance from this mom, billionaire, designer, icon and ruler would be just what we all deserve.

Again, just give her 15 minutes extra, off rip.