The year is 2016, and Rihanna’s just released her eighth album, Anti. Her track, Work (featuring Drake) will become one of the most played songs of the year, to the point where you can’t turn on a radio or TV, walk into a shop, bar or house party for fear of hearing it again. This is too much Rihanna, you think. No one needs this much Rihanna in their life.
Rihanna seemingly agreed, and we haven't heard very much since. She was still knocking out tunes with Kanye West (and Macca), DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar, but as for her next album? Nope. No news.
Almost seven years later, the world still awaits that album. While fans feverishly clamoured for any signs of number nine – rumours have suggested it's “finished”; that it's “absolutely insane” and might even be a “reggae project” – there was very little to go on. Then she announced her long-awaited comeback on social, only to then reveal it was simply a performance at the Super Bowl half-time show. Still, better than nothing! Here’s how to watch it:
When is the Rihanna Super Bowl show?
Well, the football match that sandwiches the gig is the Super Bowl LVII, which will be held at the State Farm Stadium on Sunday, 12 February in Glendale, Arizona.
It is set to kick off at 4:30pm local time, which is 11:30pm in the UK, and Rihanna’s performance is likely to start at around 1:15am or 1:30am GMT on 13 February, and it will last for around just 14 minutes.
Where can I watch it?
ITV has a new partnership with NFL – picking up the baton from the BBC – which was announced back in August last year, so it will be broadcast live on the broadcaster along with Sky Sports NFL Channel.
The halftime show is also uploaded to the NFL's YouTube channel the next day in full, as well as live streams expected on their TikTok and other socials.
What can I expect?
We have absolutely no idea. Will she bring out her partner, ASAP Rocky? Will she debut any of her new album? There’s only one person who knows, and right now, she’s not spilling anything.
