Rihanna Travels Through Career with Four VMAs Video Vanguard Performances: Watch

The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards belong to Rihanna, as she was crowned with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award that honors all the culture-shifting visuals she's released throughout her career. It is a major moment for the pop star, and tonight she showed just why she was worthy of the coveted crown.

Prior to the performance, in a surprising "aww"-worthy moment, her longtime friend/collaborator/rumored boyfriend Drake presented the award with an adorably loving speech. Rihanna's night was split into four parts to highlight different elements of her sound: Dance, Reggae, Urban and Ballad. For the dance section, the artist sauntered onto the bubblegum pink stage looking like the casually cool icon that she is, donning a high ponytail, a corset and red shades. 

She performed a medley of her biggest hits, including "Don't Stop The Music," "Only Girl (In the World)," "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been." The energy ran high throughout the performance, with Riri and her dancers hitting every move. Watch below via MTV: