Rihanna’s latest music video, Man Down, starts with a man being shot in the head. The video, which released earlier this week, also has graphic scenes of sexual abuse. Not only has it landed 23-year-old R&B singer in trouble with TV watchdogs, there are also reports that it may be banned on YouTube. But, the singer continues to stand by it, saying it’s “art with a message.”
Talking about the necessity of such a message in a song, the singer tweeted, “We always think it could NEVER be us, but in reality, it can happen to ANY of us (sic).”
The Parents Television Council of America has called the clip “disturbing” and MTV and iTunes have yet to decide whether they will be airing it. The singer feels it’s all unwarranted. “We just wanted to hone in on a very serious matter that people are afraid to address, especially if you’ve been victimised in this scenario,” said Rihanna, who was assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in February 2009.
(HTC and Agencies)