Rihanna lit up the Staples Center. (via Courtney M. Fowler)

However, when the show arrived at Los Angeles’ infamous Staples Center last night, two things were made clear: 1) fans were in for a party and 2) for better or worse, Rihanna is a superstar.

Following an opening by rising hip-hop star A$AP Rocky, Rihanna took the stage at 9:45 pm to nearly 20,000 adoring fans opening with “Mother Mary,” complete with extravagant sets, and a video screen reflecting cathedral like images.

She appeared draped in a basic  black cape, the first of the show’s many looks custom designed by Givenchy creative  director, Ricardo Tisci. The setting gave an ethereal dark angel appeal, but it didn’t last  long as she ditched the cape and went into a slew of up-tempo hits including, “Phresh Off The Runway,” from her most recent album,"Unapologetic."

Though Rihanna isn’t known for any Beyoncé-esque choreography, “Diamonds” revealed her doing her much more intricate moves than last years “777” tour. The show also gave viewers a glimpse into the “bad gal” persona that’s been responsible for causing controversy on every social network possible.

“Los Angeles, what the fuck?!” Rihanna she screamed to crowd. “Y’all like that? Y’all want some more of that? I live here now. I know y’all can get ratchet. This next song is just for you!”

The dedication was a precursor to her Mike WiLL Made It produced, stripper anthem, “Pour It Up” which instantly sent the crowd crazy. In the first segment of the show the performance element was solid, but what was most captivating about Rihanna was her on-stage swagger.

Much like a rapper, her crotch grabbing and frequent use of profanity added to the unabashed sexuality that she always tries to exude.

“I fucking love this bitch!” screamed an overzealous teenage girl wearing a “Keep Calm and Love Rihanna” t-shirt and clearly caught up in the hype of the performance.

In fact, the only thing to upstage the concert itself was the extreme fandom present. Girls sporting one of Rihanna’s many infamous hairstyles, carrying her albums, writing her name on their limbs; nothing was sacred as fans proclaimed their love for the pop star.

Following, the “ratchet” interlude, the bajan princess appeared in a black jersey and white thigh-high boots going through a barrage of reggae-inspired songs, including hits, “Rude Boy” and “Man Down.” Soon after, Rihanna performed a smooth R&B medley version ofslightly similar tracks including, “Take A Bow” and “Hate That I Love You.” Overall through, “Diamonds” was a well-paced progression through Rihanna’s career and the seven albums she’s released over the past seven years (2005-2012).

The crowd was up on their feet during the show. (via Courtney M. Fowler)

However, the rowdy crowd, seemed to reignite toward the end of the show, when Rihanna, wearing holographic silver sneakers and a matching holographic silver, dollar-print, mini skater dress, brought up the tempo again running through many of her club hits.

One by one, “We Found Love” morphed into “S&M” followed by “Only Girl (In The World)” then “Don’t Stop The Music,” all emerging into an energetic performance of “Where Have You Been.” 

Rihanna actually going into the audience with fans during the performance only heightened the progression and revealed why the 25-year-old is still able to sell millions, seven albums later.

Overall, the Diamonds World Tour, reveals a lot of what fans already knew about Rihanna, which is that amidst the evolution of her music, she’s a dynamic person with as many personalities as there are days in the week. The factor is something that makes fans love her.

“I can relate to her and how she changes up,” said concert attendee and self-proclaimed Rihanna super fan, Jessica Torres. “Like one minute she’s ratchet and the next she’s a girly-girl and the next she’s like taking charge, but the whole time she’s always fabulous.”  

And really, isn’t that what all pop-stars aspire to be? 

The next stop on the tour will be in San Diego on Thursday, April 11.

Set List

Mother Mary

Phresh Out the Runaway

Birthday Cake

Talk That Talk

Pour It Up

Cockiness (Love It)

Numb

You Da One

Man Down

Rude Boy

What's My Name

Jump

Umbrella

All of the Lights

Rockstar 101

What Now

Loveeeeeee Song

Love the Way You Lie

Take a Bow

Cold Case Love

We Found Love

S&M

Only Girl

Don't Stop the Music

Where Have You Been

Stay

Diamonds

Reach Staff Reporter Courtney M. Fowler here. Follow her on Twitter here.