"The Wait Is Ova. Nov 23 09," announced Rihanna on her Twitter page last week. But the wait for the first single off her much anticipated album 'Rated R' ended today, when she debuted 'Russian Roulette' on Ryan Seacrest's show. The ballad was written and produced by fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo, who has a long history of collaboration with Rihanna. You can listen to it here.
The artwork released by her label to coincide with the single is also causing a stir. In it, the singer is bound in barbed wire and wearing a see-through eye patch.Check it out after the jump.
The song follows a woman in the midst of a game of Russian roulette: "If you play, you play for keep/Take a gun, and count to three." It ends with the sound of a spinning barrel and finally, a gunshot. The intense lyrics could easily be a reference to Rihanna's abusive relationship with Chris Brown.
Ne-Yo seemed to confirm this before the single was even released, when he discussed the album with MTV News. "The best and safest way I can say this is that Rihanna has some stuff to say and she's going to say it," he said. "And she ain't going to make no apologies for it."
The rest of the album, which releases Nov. 23, also includes collaborations with The-Dream and Justin Timberlake. The music video for 'Russian Roulette,' which was directed by Anthony Mandler, will premiere on prime-time ABC.
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
In this music publicity image released by Def Jam records, the cover of the single "Russian Roulette," by Rihanna, is shown. (AP Photo/Def Jam)
AP
In this music publicity image released by Def Jam records, the cover of the single "Russian Roulette," by Rihanna, is shown. (AP Photo/Def Jam)
AP
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Singer Rihanna visits Milk Studio on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
I don't know much about Rihanna but I do know good cover art and that is great! She looks pretty, she got everyones attention and it is risque without being trashy and it shows nothing more than a bathing suit shows. For anyone who thinks this represents 'her or who she is' don't know much about marketing. She wears sweatpants when she is at home relaxing and not working, just like everyone else. A 'nice' dress doesn't make you a nice person. A risque outfit doesn't make you a risque person, especially when it is for WORK!
Seriously, do we have to go through this with every pop star that gets a little risky? Madonna, ring a bell?? Get over trying to make articles out of this crap......
This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I'm all for creative license, but this is not the kind of song radio stations are looking to play. Frankly, it's not the kind of song I want to hear radio stations playing.
Maybe Chris did knock the sense out this girl...and the record company too.
It's sad and tasteless all the way around.. First, I get the whole "sex" thing and showing skin..but where is her self esteem.. sell out. Didn't she learn anything yet? and secondly.. suicide or shooting yourself isn't something glamorous or funny or even entertaining to sing about unless ur demented. Life is precious. I liked the umbrella thing but after that.. she went down hill. It's trash.. She could do something soo much more productive and inspire people..
Man, that looks good. She is smokin hot, however she doesn't need to show that much skin to make me be more attracted to her. Outfits like that should be kept in the bedroom between her and her future husband. Not that she would but I wouldn't date a girl like that. I might bang a girl like that, but that's all it would be. I wish she would of stayed just a tad more innocent.
"The Wait Is Ova. Nov 23 09," announced Rihanna on her Twitter page last week. But the wait for the first single off her much anticipated album 'Rated R' ended today, when she debuted 'Russian Roulette' on Ryan Seacrest's show. The ballad was written and produced by fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo, who has a long history of collaboration with Rihanna. You can listen to it here.
Comments
(101)Add a comment
Tuesday 20 October
By Robert
Not Rhiana's best song. She does a good job on the vocals though.
Myspace
Another Black Season
Reply
Thursday 22 October
By diana
I don't know much about Rihanna but I do know good cover art and that is great! She looks pretty, she got everyones attention and it is risque without being trashy and it shows nothing more than a bathing suit shows. For anyone who thinks this represents 'her or who she is' don't know much about marketing. She wears sweatpants when she is at home relaxing and not working, just like everyone else. A 'nice' dress doesn't make you a nice person. A risque outfit doesn't make you a risque person, especially when it is for WORK!
Thursday 22 October
By eric
If I beat the crap out of her will she BL*W me the stupid B*TCH?
Tuesday 20 October
By MICHAEL K
who cares? she sucks and so does her music.
Reply
Friday 23 October
By kitty
her singing does not suck
Thursday 22 October
By Mike
I DISAGREE.
That is all.
Tuesday 24 November
By Jairo
No her music is awsome
Tuesday 20 October
By Crystal Brass
Hope the hammer fell on an empty chamber.
Reply
Thursday 22 October
By eatahabanero
I cant believe she made a song like that. Don't be surprised if you hear of this "game" being played with disasterous results.
Wednesday 21 October
By My3Girls
Seriously, do we have to go through this with every pop star that gets a little risky? Madonna, ring a bell?? Get over trying to make articles out of this crap......
Reply
Wednesday 21 October
By DILL
OH SO WHAT, SHE'S SUCH A SKANK.
Reply
Wednesday 21 October
By likesmusic
Will this trash never stop?
Reply
Wednesday 21 October
By j. habat
she'a a skank
Wednesday 21 October
By Umm...
Who does Rihanna think will play this?
This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I'm all for creative license, but this is not the kind of song radio stations are looking to play. Frankly, it's not the kind of song I want to hear radio stations playing.
Maybe Chris did knock the sense out this girl...and the record company too.
Reply
Wednesday 21 October
By solomeeo
a new take on the underwire bra!
Reply
Wednesday 21 October
By Donna
OK, that was funny
Thursday 22 October
By Erin
lol now that's funny, i don't care who you are...
Wednesday 21 October
By bajnprncss1986
C'mon Rihanna, really? I thought you had more class that that...
Is this really how you're going to represent yourself, your family, and your home country?
Reply
Thursday 22 October
By vw
It's sad and tasteless all the way around.. First, I get the whole "sex" thing and showing skin..but where is her self esteem.. sell out. Didn't she learn anything yet? and secondly.. suicide or shooting yourself isn't something glamorous or funny or even entertaining to sing about unless ur demented. Life is precious. I liked the umbrella thing but after that.. she went down hill. It's trash.. She could do something soo much more productive and inspire people..
Wednesday 21 October
By Adam
Man, that looks good. She is smokin hot, however she doesn't need to show that much skin to make me be more attracted to her. Outfits like that should be kept in the bedroom between her and her future husband. Not that she would but I wouldn't date a girl like that. I might bang a girl like that, but that's all it would be. I wish she would of stayed just a tad more innocent.
Reply