Rihanna Fires Back at 'Man Down' Music Video Critics

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Jun 3rd 2011 09:25AM

An endorsement of revenge-based manslaughter or "art with a message," Rihanna would say that her new 'Man Down' music video is most definitely the latter, according to BET. The video in question tells the story of a woman who is sexually assaulted and finally guns down her attacker with the chorus, "Oh mama mama mama/ I just shot a man down/ In central station/ In front of a big ol crowd/ Oh why oh why."

Although some, including the Parents Television Council, are saying that the violent video is sending the wrong message to victims of assault or sexual assault, Rihanna isn't backing down when it comes to her "art."

According to the controversial singer, 'Man Down' is "a song about a girl who committed a murder that she regrets and is completely remorseful about it. We needed to go back to why it happened, because obviously she's not a cold-blooded killer. It had to be something so offensive, and we decided to hone in on a very serious matter that people are afraid to address, especially if you've been victimized in this scenario," she explained to BET.

But Rihanna is not only playing the victim in the video, she was also the real life victim of assault after ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, brutally attacked her in 2009. And this isn't the first video she has created that addresses domestic violence. Her collaboration with Eminem for the song, 'Love the Way You Lie' also addressed the reality of domestic violence. It is because of her own personal history with domestic violence that Rihanna believes her music video is a genuine artistic representation of revenge and remorse.

"[I have] been abused in the past, and you don't see me running around killing people in my spare time." she said. "I just really want girls to be careful. Have fun, be sassy, be innocent and sweet. Be everything that you are but just try not to be naive."

Even after the the PTC's attempts to have the video banned, BET has continued to air Rihanna's 'Man Down.'

Tags: rihanna

Comments

(17)

Friday 03 June

By JBaer

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Frankly, I'm sick of these public figures trying to shock me when I know they want a reaction. I resent being used like that.

By themeeker

This is all just well calculated publicity stunts. Don't fall for it. This girl with the Bozo hair ain't that good, and if she goes back to Chris Brown, she's a brainless vicitim who deserves everything that happens to her.

By black2deep

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I don't think people are paying attention. It sends a powerful message to people who are in situations like this. One rash act doesn't justify another. She is haunted by what she did but now she can't take it back and her who life is destroyed. Sometimes you can't sugar coat a message, you need it hard and in your face.

By Artlover

Art??? LMAO!!!

By Lizzie

I haven't heard the Rihanna song, but the lyrics remind me of Bohemian Rhapsody "Mama I just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he's
dead. Mama, life had just begun, but now I've gone and thrown it all away"

I get that the situation is slightly different, but these lyrics just bring that song to mind.

Can't beat an original

By dldesir

Good point, and GREAT song!!! =D

By Bonbon

anything for publicity, all the attention is on Gaga so she must shock, nobody watches videos anymore anyway.

By jud6057

There are lots of songs with lyrics like that. For instance, Johnny Cash had a hit song with murdering lyrics--it went like this- " I shot a man just to see him die"

By jenny

dose anyone remebr janies got a gun form arosmith? what is the difference between that one and this video. if anything it makes you feel for the charactor. i dont see the big deal. can an artist express her self though her music with out screwtiny?

By Kimberly

Lighten up people! It's just a story. Would "Gone With The Wind" had been the same had Rhett told Scarlett "Honestly my dear, I feel given your past and present emotional issues, that it would be best if we had a trial seperation."

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

By Jonas Bronx

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Seriously if you want to protest an artist, Rihanna is not the one. Go protest Lady Gaga. I got your back Rihanna. Hollah at me.

By ANNA

I liked this song a lot, I just saw the video, and yeah it's a little controversial, however, like Rihanna stated she doesn't just shoot a random guy on the street, it's a sex offender, quite frankly if you going to rape a woman you deserve to be shot

By LISA L

i agree with u anna.i like the song also and if a man rapes someone he needs to be shot or have it cut off.

By Nicole

I love the song and the video. Some people are just too critical.
Get over it!!! There is alot worse out there.

She should have punched Chris Browns face in when he beat her up, she should have put him in the hospital!!!!

By webster19994

AMEN!!!! Finally a public that isn't so d@ gulliable. Maybe that means Rhianna has finally run the so called "I was abused but I need to gyrate and do S&M videos"routine to death. She can't sing so she uses Chris Brown for PR because look how the media flocks to her bullsh@ when she says "I represent the abused women!" Yeah right! Why did Ga Ga have to sell a mil in a week? Now all these mindless pop tarts are trying to pull stunts for sales. As a domestic violence survivor (some of us had to go to college to get back on our feet. My girls seeing me be a sex pot wasn't mature!) Rhianna go the h@ away and stop pimping this issue. We have REAL victims who need this PR!!!

Monday 06 June

By Glenda

Back off and leave her alone.

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