In addition to winning the Vanguard Award, Rihanna was nominated this year for Best Female Video and Best Collaboration for “Work. Rihanna performed four times at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards to celebrate her. It’s my family’s, it’s my fans’, it’s my country’s, it’s the Caribbean’s as a whole, it’s women’s, it’s black women’s.” Rihanna closed the evening by thanking Drake and MTV. “My success started as my dream,” she continued, “but now my success is not my own. This is the first Vanguard to land anywhere close to my country.” When I think about the Vanguard award and receiving this tonight, all I could think of is my country - they’re gonna be so proud. Rihanna to Receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 2016 MTV Video Music Awards Joining the ranks of Beyonce and Kanye West, Rihanna will receive this years Michael Jackson Video Vanguard. “ This is such an amazing night, such an amazing moment in my career,” Rihanna told the crowd. After this dramatic ending, the singer was presented with the Vanguard Award by a tuxedo-clad Drake.
When Rihanna returned for her final performance sequence, she focused on the knockout ballads in her catalog - “Stay,” “Love on the Brain,” “Diamonds” - which she brought to life with the help of a string section and several horn players. “Pour It Up”, “Bitch Better Have My Money” (trap medley) – Video Music Awards 2016 /rjVGQWxaYG “Needed Me” (trap medley)- Video Music Awards 2016 /rjcwuNQHwC She wrapped up this section of the performance with “Bitch Better Have My Money ” as she ended the track, the camera cut to a smiling Kanye West, who helped produce the single. Rihanna began her next segment alone singing “Needed Me.” She flubbed several notes here, but recovered by moving on to a vigorous rendition of “Pour It Up” as lightning flashed behind her. “Rude Boy”, “What’s My Name?”, “Work” (reggae medley) – Video Music Awards 2016