Rihanna Defends “Man Down” Video On ‘106 & Park’

Becky Bain | June 3, 2011 11:26 am

Rihanna defended her controversial new video “Man Down” on Twitter yesterday, but the pop star also called into 106 & Park to discuss her intent behind the violent clip. Calling from backstage of rehearsals in Baltimore for her summer tour, RiRi had a lot to say about the video’s message. Listen below.

“I don’t like to just make videos,” she said over the phone of the video, which she states is about a woman who commits a murder that she completely regrets. “I love to make an experience and this is art with a message,” she told hosts Terrence and Rocsi. “Obviously [the character is] not a cold-blooded killer. It has to be something so offensive and we decided to hone in on a very serious matter that people are afraid to address.”

“Rape is happening all over the world and right in our own home and we continue to cover it up and pretend it doesn’t happen,” she continued. “I personally don’t condone violence or murder. I’ve been abused in the past and you don’t see me running around killing people in my spare time. I just want girls to be careful. Have fun, be flirtatious… just try not to be naive. That’s not coming from a parent, but a peer.”

“I didn’t go into it to make a controversial video,” she says. “I wanted to make a mini-movie, something raw and artistic. And if I can be a voice for so many that aren’t heard, then I win twice.”

Rihanna is basically saying two things at this point – she wants to send a message to young girls, but she also wants to make art that includes violence, rape and murder and not have people condemn her for it (despite her desired audience being young girls).

We’re not suggesting that Rihanna should make videos as squeaky-clean as an episode of Sesame Street (the ones without heaving breasts, that is), but if the purpose of this video was to advise young girls to be more careful of being physically attacked, she provides no actual advice of how to actually do this.

All we are offered is the idea that an assaulted female’s only option is to take matters into her own hands with more violence. Then again, we supposed filling out a lengthy police report pressing charges against your attacker isn’t dramatic enough an ending for this type of music video.

[Via Rap-Up]

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