The nine-time Grammy Award winner announced the news on Twitter by sharing a picture of an NFL-branded football.
— Rihanna (@rihanna) September 25, 2022
It’s hard to believe that pop sensation Rihanna has yet to appear at the Super Bowl Halftime Show over 20 years after the release of her debut album and several smash singles. But in 2023, she will finally get the opportunity. The “We Found Love” singer will perform at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show on February 12, 2023, the NFL announced on Sunday (Sept. 25).
The announcement instantly sparked discussion among fans. But among all the others, one stands out: What will a Rihanna Halftime Show even look like? Given that Super Bowl halftime concerts last, on average, 12 to 15 minutes, which songs will she choose? Here are some songs that we wish Rihanna could bring to the stadium that would capture the star’s enormous musical influence throughout her career.
1. Love the Way You Lie
Eminem is the first on the special guest list because he recently had his own halftime show in 2022. We want to experience the unique and intrinsic synergy that Rihanna and Em share when they collaborate on songs during their performance.
2. Work
With “Work,” Rihanna’s fourteenth No. 1 hit, she set the record for being the fourth-most No. 1 songs ever. It peaked at No.1 in countries like Canada, France, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The dancehall song would be perfect for getting us to dance from our seat during the chorus. We hope Drake will make it to the special guest list.
3. Needed Me
We hope Rihanna will surprise us with our personal favourite track, “Needed Me” from ANTI. A scornful kiss-off track to an ex who decided to screw around and find out. The Super Bowl Halftime Show wouldn’t be complete without at least one song featuring Rihanna being a little pissed. It’s an important cornerstone of her enormous repertoire, flicking a big middle finger to the men around her in boss-mode Rihanna.
4. Umbrella
If Rihanna doesn’t rain on your parade with “Umbrella,” it isn’t a Rihanna show. The song has been performed by several musicians from different genres, including Taylor Swift, OneRepublic, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, and All Time Low. It is perhaps one of her most iconic hits. Even Tom Holland, who was competing in a lip-sync match against his fiancée Zendaya while wearing a wig and leather, gave a legendary rendition of the song. Fans want Riri to repeat the scene by inviting the actor to join her at halftime.
5. A Track from Her Upcoming Album
Perhaps the song is a ballad, a high-energy dance number, or something in the middle. Even better: Rihanna provides us our first official peek into her upcoming musical era with something fresh. We are aware that asking for a taste of Rihanna’s eagerly anticipated ninth album at this stage would be wishful thinking. If it occurred, it would genuinely be an internet-breaking, show-stopping moment that would have fans at the stadium and at home completely lose their minds.
