Rihanna Fires Back at Critics, Defends 'Man Down' Video

Jill Johnson, jpistudios.com / Getty Images

Rihanna is firing back at critics who have a problem with her 'Man Down' video due to its violent nature. The 23-year-old first responded to advocacy groups publicly expressing discontent with the video, even calling for BET and its parent company, Viacom, to pull it from the programming schedule.

No stranger to pushing the envelope, the Bajan beauty called into BET's '106 & Park' Thursday (June 2) to explain that although she is not surprised by the outrage, she is in no way glamorizing violence. "Rape is, unfortunately, happening all over the world and in our own homes and we continue to cover it up and pretend it doesn't happen," she said, referring to the video's concept, which finds her killing her attacker after he forces himself upon her. "Boys and girls feel compelled to be embarrassed about it, and they hide it from everyone, including their teachers, their parents, and their friends. That only continues to empower the abusers."

The 'Loud' creator went on to explain why the graphic scenario played out the way it did in the clip. "Making that into a mini-movie or video, we needed to go back to why it happened," she explained. "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."

Rihanna also addressed her own abusive past at the hands of former boyfriend Chris Brown. The couple broke up back in 2009, after Brown attacked her following a Grammy party. "I've been abused in the past, and you don't see me running around killing people in my spare time. 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."

The Parent Television Council and the entertainment watchdog group Industry Ears were just two of the organizations outraged by the video. In a statement released on their website the PTC characterized the video as a "cold, calculated execution of murder." Industry Ears founder, and former BET music programmer Paul Porter didn't mince words in his review of the Anthony Mandler-directed video writing it off as "inexcusable," and calling the single a "shoot-and-kill theme song."

'Man Down' marks the sixth single off Rihanna's fifth album 'Loud,' which hit stores last November. All of the controversy surrounding the single appears to be paying off as the music video has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube since its release June 1.

Watch Rihanna's 'Man Down'

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jthfacts

Throughout the video Rihanna says that she knows it's wrong what she did, and asks herself why did she do this act of violence. She even says towards the end of the video- “O Lord A MERCY- NOW I AM A CRIMINAL”. She then says “Ask the judge to give me Minimal.” She shows a conscious, even after being a victim of rape.

Why is that black men can make video after video calling black women ******, bitches and any other name they want while always saying what they'll do to their “bitch”? And, most of these videos are filled with violence : gangs, organized crime, drug selling, etc.. These videos have made millionaires of many rap artists. What does Jay-Z sing about in “99 Problems”? “I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain’t one”! Jay-Z has written about “pimpin”, “thuggin” and on and on. What does Kanye West sing about in “Gold Digger”. Now of course during the song could have been about any women, but in the end the lyrics are “ And leave your ass for a white girl.” So, hmm, I guess black women have to be the women to be labeled “gold-diggers”. Meanwhile every one knows the second a fool black man makes enough money in his mind, he is going to abandon his race and marry a white woman. And of course the “Lucifer” song that Kanye wrote for Jay-Z, where Jay-Z says “THEY GONNA MURDER ME SO I GOTTA MURDER THEM FIRST.” While the chorus whispers “SATAN, SATAN, SATAN” and sings “SON OF THE MORNING” (THE DEVIL).-I'M GONNA CHASE YOU OUTTA EARTH”. He sings that they killed his friend, so he believes they are going to kill him. He also says he is from the “MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WHERE WE Murder IS FOR CAPITAL”. He does sing that he knows it's wrong, but then he ends the song my saying “IF MY HEART IS FULL OF THE REVENGE , BLAME IT ON THE 'SON OF THE MORNING'!”

Why was this OK? Why didn't he turn to the FINISHER (JESUS CHRIST)? (Not that Marvel Comic Book version of the Finisher, who was an assassin!)

Why was it OK for Jay-Z to sing “JESUS CAN'T SAVE YOU!!! LIFE BEGINS WHEN THE CHURCH ENDS” in the song “Empire State of Mind”?

Artistic Freedom? Maybe -but why this way? Why use the Words of Religion to promote violence?

JAY-Z HAS SURPASSED MANY OF ELVIS' RECORDS IN SALES!!!!

I am not a fan of Rihanna's, but why is this video treated so differently from others that have an act of violence based on a prior act of violence? Women are being abused all over the world-even today!!!Murder is wrong, but isn't violence against women wrong as well??
Where is the outrage over what is happening to women in our world everywhere!!!!!

YOU TUBE: LUCIFER JAY Z
YOU TUBE: JAY Z DISSES JESUS CHRIST (pastorJustinofP4cm)
YOUTUBE: KANYE WEST SAY HE SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL (pastorJustinofP4cm)

June 05 2011 at 6:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shirley journey

Rhianna is making all of the money and she has made the KKK very proud as well how many more videos will she make showing the killing of a tall muscular dark black man?

June 05 2011 at 11:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fyahthequeen

How in the hell does she plan on speaking for us rape victims? Chris didn't rape her from what I understand. They both got heated and I'm sure she didn't shy away from the fight from the looks of things she might've instigated it knowing he's crazy as sin! Don't place yourself in our shoes Robyn Rihanna! I can't myself in a domestic violence situation so why make us a side joke in one of your crappy ass videos? It's not funny, amuzing or true story telling! It's called marketing and she's been doing that on the backs of women who live in fear since 2009. I stood by when she talked about her side but she's gotten very personal with a lot of us. She has never had any first hand experience with rape otherwise she would know how senstive of a subject it really is! Thanks so much Miss Douche face. I hope your f*cking techniques worked and made a lot of money from being a nasty cold bitch. Speak for your f*cking self. BTW, I donate to the cause and I'm broke. You have tons of money, what have you given us besides your 2 years of whining and fake singing?! Nothing! Donate, then STFU!

June 04 2011 at 5:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Grey Ian

There is nothing wrong with Man Down Video, but definately something wrong with others......................its a song Video, openion just like Movies.

June 04 2011 at 7:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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