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It was the summer of 2011, I skipped work to stand in line for over 3 hours to ensure I got a pair of very limited VIP tickets to the first time I'd see Rihanna perform live. The LOUD tour was coming to Barbados. Robyn was finally returning home. Only Girl in the World and What's My Name were still permeating the airwaves.

I was 21, freshly out of college, still in my salesgirl role at a local boutique while interviewing at big ad agencies for my first real job now that I'd graduated. I had no money, but I gathered up a week's pay plus commission to secure my concert ticket because I felt this is probably the only time she'd perform at home in Barbados. I was right, it was the first and only time... but maybe this will change soon now that she's making her comeback. 

I'm short, petite and generally don't take up a lot of space, so I made my way to the very front of the stadium. The only thing between me and the stage was two humans and a metal barrier. I wanted an unobstructed view of history in the making and I got it.

It was the fourth song on the setlist that set the crowd wild. The opening notes of reggae pop Man Down struck through our collective heart chakra, but then eight bars in she let us know who the f*ck she really is. She called out for the sound system to "pull-up" (a Caribbean classic), the song hit a restart, reggae air horns pierced through the night-sky, and we understood - she is one of us. 

She is us. 

If there's a purchase I never regretted, it was to see her live. To see the audacity of a poor black girl from the rough streets of Westbury Road, ascend to international superstardom and then return home to grace us with her presence. To witness a free spirit in human form giving us an example that you can do whatever you want to do if you believe you can do it. 

Seven years ago, Rihanna left the stage to focus on building her billion-dollar empire, and tonight she returns at the Super Bowl. In her own words "representation matters". And tonight, a poor black girl from a tiny Caribbean island, who immigrated and became a pop star will grace us again. 

It is not lost on me that it's US Black History month and all eyes are on the very symbol of what (as far as I can tell) America deeply struggles with – Black, woman, immigrant, billionaire.

Add to that a woman who is confident, powerful and will whip out her sexuality whenever she pleases and snatch it back when she's had enough of you – because she's not only smart, she's in complete control.

I'm trusting that the performance will be great. 

I'm believing that her voice will be even more uniquely her after a season of rest and maturity.

I'm in faith she will inject a healthy amount of Caribbean cultural references.

I'm open to surprises and surprise guests.

I'm expecting excellence.

The last time I saw Rihanna perform, she was a star. Now she's an icon. 

I'm excited. Are you?

'til next Sunday!Z.

🇧🇧 The Road to Halftime Begins on Rihanna Drive in Barbados 🇧🇧