Rihanna makes surprise return to stage at Jay-Z concert
Rihanna makes surprise return to the live stage at Jay-Z's "Extra Innings" concert at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday, her first performance since March 2024. The nine-time Grammy winner sang "Run This Town" with Jay-Z and her 2015 hit "Bitch Better Have My Money," capping a night delayed by a stadium security breach.
Key Takeaways
- Rihanna performed at Jay-Z's final Yankee Stadium show on Sunday after not singing live since March 2024.
- She joined Jay-Z for "Run This Town" and then delivered a solo run-through of "Bitch Better Have My Money."
- The show was delayed hours after a security breach forced the nearly 50,000-capacity stadium into lockdown.
- Jay-Z also brought out Beyoncé and Usher during the star-packed closing night.
- Rihanna told the crowd she had missed performing and declared her love for New York.
When Did Rihanna Last Perform Live Before This Surprise Return?
According to The Daily Beast, Rihanna had not performed live since March 2024. Before that, her most recent major stage moment came at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show.
Her Sunday appearance at the Bronx stadium ended what the outlet described as a two-year break from live performance. The unannounced set came during Jay-Z's star-packed closing night at the nearly 50,000-capacity venue in the Bizarre World of surprise celebrity drop-ins.
What Songs Did Rihanna Perform at Yankee Stadium?
Rihanna walked on to sing her vocals on "Run This Town," the 2009 hit she recorded with Jay-Z. She then performed her own 2015 anthem "Bitch Better Have My Money" before leaving the stage.
Jay-Z closed the delayed show by bringing out the singer alongside Beyoncé and Usher, turning a chaotic night into a historic finale at Yankee Stadium.
Why Was Jay-Z's Concert Delayed Before Rihanna Appeared?
The "Extra Innings" show was originally scheduled for 8 p.m. but started hours late after a security incident. Jay-Z, 56, told the audience there were "like 10,000 people outside… and somebody rushed the door," according to The Daily Beast.
The alleged breach forced Yankee Stadium, which can hold nearly 50,000 spectators, into lockdown. Fans who waited through the delay were rewarded when Jay-Z brought out Rihanna alongside Beyoncé, 44, and Usher, 47.
What Did Rihanna Say to the Crowd?
Rihanna, who is originally from Barbados, yelled to the audience, "I missed this s--t, y'all! New York, I love you guys!" while on stage, according to The Daily Beast.
The raw enthusiasm landed after fans endured a multi-hour delay caused by the security incident. Her first live appearance in years instantly became the defining moment of Jay-Z's Yankee Stadium finale.