Rihanna joins mentor Jay-Z for unexpected Run This Town duet during his headline slot at Hackney Weekend

Rihanna joins mentor Jay-Z for unexpected Run This Town duet during his headline slot at Hackney Weekend

By Colette Fahy

PUBLISHED: 11:40 EST, 23 June 2012 | UPDATED: 19:16 EST, 23 June 2012

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Her mentor Jay-Z opened his set with a blistering performance of Run This Town, joined by his protégé.

In short black shorts, a bra top, trainers and a black top, Rihanna was effortlessly cool as she confidently shared the stage with the rapper.

Confident! Rihanna wowed the audience as she helped mentor Jay-Z kick off his set at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend

Surprise! Rihanna isn't due to headline until tomorrow night but joined mentor Jay-Z for a surprise performance

Despite the poor weather and darkness around, Rihanna showed off her superstar credentials in a pair of goggle like shades. 

Jay-Z opted for a camouflage jacket with dark trousers as he powered through his set watched by proud wife Beyonce Knowles.

M.I.A. then joined the rapper for Paper Planes but after her microphone failed the pair performed another song Bad Girls to the delight of the crowd. 

Jay-Z also performed past hits like 99 Problems, Bonnie Clyde and Girls, Girls, Girls.

Run This Town: Rihanna was just one of a series of superstar guests who collaborated with Jay-Z on stage

Finally, it was the turn of Jay-Z’s Watch The Throne collaborator Kanye West to take to the stage as the audience went wild for the two rappers. 

Earlier in the day Rihanna stepped out of her hotel in London wearing a ridiculous fluorescent hat which she paired with a distinctive jacket with stars and a pair of dungaree shorts. 

The same trainers she wore for her performance with Jay-Z and a vest with the word Rich emblazoned across the front completed the look although you would imagine someone with as much money as Rihanna could afford a trendier hat.

Work it! Rihanna warms up for her own headlining gig on Sunday as she takes to the stage with Jay-Z

Thanks for stopping by! Rihanna and Jay-Z shared a hug after their impressive performance of Run This Town

However, the singer was happy to stop and chat with a waiting fan as she left the hotel.

Although she impressed with Jay-Z today, Rihanna has a tough act to follow at the free BBC festival tomorrow with hometown girl Leona Lewis wowing the crowds as she opened for a long day of stellar pop acts on Saturday. 

Impressive: Jay-Z gave a confident performance at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend and even called on some of his A-List pals for assistance

The singer debuted a new song Come Alive, as well as one of her biggest hits Bleeding Love.
She was also joined by rapper Wretch 32 for a cover of Diddy Dirty Money's song Coming Home.

Leona was introduced on stage by DJ Trevor Nelson as 'the most famous singer to ever come of Hackney'.

Will.i.am put on a typically flamboyant performance as he took to the stage at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend

Technology loving Will.i.am put on a high tech performance as he took to the stage in Hackney on Saturday

Following Leona's performance, newcomer Rita Ora - who was born in Kosovo but grew up in West London - roused the 50,000 strong crowd at Hackney Marshes.

She looked ready for bed in a pyjama-esque shirt and trousers as she sang her hits R.I.P. and Hot Right Now.

That's one way to grab attention! Rihanna ditches her usual skimpy outfits but still manages to stand out in a fluorescent hat

She's not headlining Radio 1's Hackney Weekend until tomorrow night but Rihanna is already soaking up the atmosphere in London

Over the weekend, 100,000 people will attend the festival, part of the BBC's Olympic celebrations.

Over 250,000 people applied for tickets for the free event, with residents from the neighbouring boroughs given priority.

Other acts performing over the weekend include Will.i.am, Plan B, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Tinie Tempah and Florence + The Machine.

The festival is being broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and BBC3.

Rihanna was more covered up than usual in dungarees, a slogan vest and a star patterned jacket

Not your average tourist! A dressed down Rihanna left her hotel in London today with a pal

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