Rihanna joined by Jay-Z and Young Jeezy on stage at O2 Academy Brixton

Rihanna joined by Jay-Z and Young Jeezy on stage at O2 Academy Brixton

17 November, 2009
by: Tom Jeffreys

The pre-show speculation about Jay-Z and Kanye West joining Rihanna on stage proved to be half right last night as Jay-Z joined the Barbadian sexpot for a belting rendition of 2007 mega-hit 'Umbrella'. The performance – a one-off Nokia-organised gig at the O2 Academy Brixton – was arranged to promote Rihanna's forthcoming album Rated R, and with support also coming from rapper Young Jeezy, Rihanna showed her adoring fans that she's truly at the peak of her powers.
 
With her band dressed a little like The Cure, two black-clad female ninja backing singers, and a stage scattered with towers of fuzzy TV sets and bizarre silver mannequins, it's clear Rihanna is taking the darkness hinted at in 'Disturbia' to a whole new level. The whole thing kicks off with Rated R's creepy little intro track 'Mad House' before Rihanna takes to the stage for 'Wait Your Turn'. In skimpy black Jacko-tinged outfit accessorised with serious spike heels and dramatically structured hair, "the wait is over," she chants. Indeed it is.


Photo: © william_hines

New single 'Russian Roulette' is performed from the grandeur of a silver throne at the front of the stage. It's a soaring fist-clenched power ballad and great showcase for Rihanna's juggernaut vocals. Towards the end Rihanna rises and struts to the back of the stage. Silhouetted by a huge video screen, she points her fingers to her temple like a gun. A crack rings out and all is black.

'Don't Stop the Music' lightens the mood and gets Rihanna in full-on raunch mode, while 'Take a Bow' and 'Disturbia' are darker, and more downbeat. 'Disturbia' is probably my favourite Rihanna track, but here it's slowed right down. At the time it feels a little disappointing, but in retrospect it works. Rihanna's not just here to please the crowds (although she does that easily); there's something a little more sinister and menacing about her act these days.

'Hard' from Rated R sees the first of two high-profile cameos, with Young Jeezy taking to the stage. It's a tough-talking piece of posturing, the kind of track you can't imagine anyone else quite mastering. Young Jeezy adds edge and variation. It's brilliant.


Photo: © william_hines

While the band then riff around with 'S.O.S.', Rihanna pops off-stage to change her outfit. She comes back – entirely in black this time round – singing Jay-Z's 'Run This Town'. And then, guess who appears on stage? Yes, it's only the CEO of hip hop, Jay bloody Z himself! The crowd, predictably, goes berserk. (Or, as berserk as it's possible to go when everyone is focusing all their attention on recording every second on their iPhones).

With the atmosphere at fever pitch, the pair launch into the still-fantastic 'Umbrella'. It's a beautiful song and a brilliant end to this short but powerful statement of intent. When Jay-Z asks, "Little Miss Sunshine, Rihanna, where you at?" you know that side's all gone. Rihanna is back: strong and fierce. No more sunshine now, "that Rihanna rain just won't let up".

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Tom Jeffreys