"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
We all know sex sells, but songs about killing yourself is what people want to hear now? Teenagers who are depressed and on the verge of wanting to commit suiside (and we know there are many of those), might just get the nerve to follow through while hearing this song!!! It's a none fact that famous performers have an impact on young people.
this woman wants to continue to sell records and has too much ego to let people laugh at her because she got a beat down by her boyfriend, so what does she do: she and her handlers decide to SEX-IFY violence against women. that is the real message that this barbed wire sends.
what a waste. what some people will do for money and fame. but when you don't really have that much talent ........
If that's the only way Rihanna thinks she can sell albums....she must not have any confidence in her talent. She should just pose in playboy and show it all off...what's the difference?
Heard the lyrics. Its about Brown, but its too - what's the word I'm looking for people? Been outta school too long. Too much symbolism for me. I think a lot of young people won't get the connection violent relationship/russian roulet. I think they'll take the song literally and its a sin to glorify russian roulet.
I felt sorry for her for a while, now I think she gets off on provoking reactions. The best thing anybody can do is ignore her, Miley, Chris & Kanye. I'm so sick of these self obsessed people who think the world is interested in their every hang-nail. She needs to go back to Barbados and take that little half-man Justin Timberlake with her.
she looks amazing! If I looked half that good, I would go around looking like this every DAY....wouldn't that get the old mens' attention at the nursing homes!
I do find that Rihanna is a very attractive young woman who looks good in many of her appearances but i do not like the new song i am just not feeling it, it may be a little depressing the words when you listen to them and the meaning at first listen it didn't make me want to add it to my ring tone collection unless later on i wanted something to blow my brains out to after being deeply depressed, this is a little risky , and i guess she likes taking risk hence the title Russian roulette bummer
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Blatant rip-off of the Sandman and ECW!!! Long live the original! E-C-DUB!!! E-C-DUB!!!
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We all know sex sells, but songs about killing yourself is what people want to hear now? Teenagers who are depressed and on the verge of wanting to commit suiside (and we know there are many of those), might just get the nerve to follow through while hearing this song!!! It's a none fact that famous performers have an impact on young people.
Reply
this woman wants to continue to sell records and has too much ego to let people laugh at her because she got a beat down by her boyfriend, so what does she do: she and her handlers decide to SEX-IFY violence against women. that is the real message that this barbed wire sends.
what a waste. what some people will do for money and fame. but when you don't really have that much talent ........
Reply
Congrats Rihanna
You look great, and aol just gave you some publicity...
blessings forever
Andy
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She sure looks GOOD to me.
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Whats the big deal ? Why are people so up tight ? She looks good .
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She's just going through her angry phase. Most people go through this after a bad break-up.
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If that's the only way Rihanna thinks she can sell albums....she must not have any confidence in her talent. She should just pose in playboy and show it all off...what's the difference?
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Ow.
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Heard the lyrics. Its about Brown, but its too - what's the word I'm looking for people? Been outta school too long. Too much symbolism for me. I think a lot of young people won't get the connection violent relationship/russian roulet. I think they'll take the song literally and its a sin to glorify russian roulet.
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Pamela Anderson, eat your heart out!
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It's an "I will survive!" statement - brilliant!
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her singing does not suck
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I felt sorry for her for a while, now I think she gets off on provoking reactions. The best thing anybody can do is ignore her, Miley, Chris & Kanye. I'm so sick of these self obsessed people who think the world is interested in their every hang-nail. She needs to go back to Barbados and take that little half-man Justin Timberlake with her.
Reply
she looks amazing! If I looked half that good, I would go around looking like this every DAY....wouldn't that get the old mens' attention at the nursing homes!
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I DISAGREE.
That is all.
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On the cover she's probably thinking "OW OW OW my titties OW OW OWOW"
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I do find that Rihanna is a very attractive young woman who looks good in many of her appearances but i do not like the new song i am just not feeling it, it may be a little depressing the words when you listen to them and the meaning at first listen it didn't make me want to add it to my ring tone collection unless later on i wanted something to blow my brains out to after being deeply depressed, this is a little risky , and i guess she likes taking risk hence the title Russian roulette bummer
Reply
No her music is awsome
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OMG I could see Rihanna's boob in the first picture at the top
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