Entertainment

‘Man Down’: Rihanna Defends New Video Showing Man Being Shot in the Head

Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:11am by Scott Baker
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NEW YORK (AP) — Rihanna is defending her latest music video, which opens with a man being shot in the head.

“Man Down,” which premiered Tuesday on BET, is a song about a girl who shoots her lover in public. The video also portrays sexual assault.

On Tuesday, the Parents Television Council called the clip “disturbing” and asked BET to stop airing it.

But on Thursday’s “106 & Park,” BET’s music video countdown show, Rihanna said the video is “art with a message.”

“We just wanted to hone in on a very serious matter that people are afraid to address, especially if you’ve been victimized in this scenario,” Rihanna said.

BET says it will continue to play the video, explaining that the network “has a comprehensive set of standards and guidelines that are applied to all of our content” and that Rihanna’s video “complied with these guidelines and was approved for air.”

MTV hasn’t played the video yet. A MTV representative said they’re “in the process of reviewing the video.”

Rihanna, who was attacked by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in February 2009, says she doesn’t agree with violence.

Brown attacked Rihanna on the eve of the Grammys two years ago. He pleaded guilty to a felony and was sentenced to five years’ probation.

“I‘ve been abused in the past and you don’t see me running around killing people in my spare time,” she said.

But the 23-year-old says rape happens too often and those victims need a voice.

“If I can be a voice for so many that aren’t heard, then I win twice,” she said.

The “Man Down” clip was directed by Anthony Mandler, who has directed other Rihanna videos.

The Grammy winner says she didn’t intend to make a controversial music video. She was hoping to display her acting skills and create “something raw and artistic.”

The video for “Man Down” has not yet appeared on iTunes. A rep for iTunes said that decision is up to the label.

An email seeking comment from Rihanna’s record label went unreturned Thursday.

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Online:

http://www.rihanna.com

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Mesfin Fekadu can be reached at —http://twitter.com/music_mesfin

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Comments (101)

Gorp
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 7:31am
Maybe it’s just me. I tried, I really tried to watch the whole video. But I couldn’t make it half way through. Bum, pa pa bum, bum pa pa bum. I think that did it for me.

Or maybe it was the lyric, “I didn’t mean to hurt him.” What the HE double L does a bullet to the head usually do?
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ares338
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 7:23am
Average Saturday night at the Jeffersons.
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Mr.Truth
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 7:00am
The song really sucks! Cant say much more for the video either….
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smalldog
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:59am
Why don’t they show a better way? Responsible gun ownership? Families that have guns for generations, hundreds of years, and don’t kill anyone?
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- USAMEDIC3008
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 12:22pm
  Smalldog
  
  If I had a dog I would want it to be just like you.
  Problem is Progressives have shifted responsiblity from ME to YOU
  I didn’t do it someone or something made me do it.
  
  If GUNS kill people then
  SPOONS made Rosie O’Donnell FAT.
  Report Post »
pamela kay
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:47am
Is it me, or does it seem that black artist repeatedly make albums containing violence? Does that make me racist for making that statement? To me it is trash. She has the right but it bothers me that she knowingly made this when so many young people are her fans. After her experience with Chris Brown, why would she record this? Doesn’t it encourage women to take things into their own hands, and isn’t this the wrong path to take when prison is sure to follow such actions? Yeah, you showed him girl, now how to you like being behind bars? Having been in a relationship like that myself for many years I am glad that I never took that route. My life began the day I left and I have never looked back. My only regret was that I didn’t leave sooner.
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dancermommd
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:27am
Not one person in the video was anything other than black. Isn’t that racist? This might be why the black community feels it’s ok to use guns to settle every little slight they perceive. Guns are weapons and should not be handled by those that think they are the answer to everything.
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.45peacemaker
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:15am
along the lines of i killed earl by the dixie hens?
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VApatriot2
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:15am
She sure honed in on the problem alright! This gal is either brain-damaged or greedy beyond belief. I wanted to believe celebrity status brought a certain responsibility to the fans. These morons prove everyday just how wrong I was. Silly me!!
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trooper
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:05am
One more down, several millions to go!
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teddrunk
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:56am
Minority created “art”, like everything else minority created is given acceptance and praise even if it’s rubbish. Like a special needs child, it’s a treasure to go one the refrigerator, even if it’s an “F” graded paper for anyone else.
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Blight14
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:52am
We should have picked our own cotton……..major/massive error……..
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Brae
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:52am
Geto reasoning; rape and shooting someone is OK. Whoops, my bad attitude. Lack of boundaries, no concept of accepting responsibility for one’s action. Purely animalistic. This is trash.
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stefooch
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:32am
“The Grammy winner says she didn’t intend to make a controversial music video. She was hoping to display her acting skills and create “something raw and artistic.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAIL
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heavywx
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:31am
This video is nothing more than pure misandry and feminist propaganda. If the roles were reversed and it showed an abusive woman being shot by a man then the feminazis would be screaming for someones blood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVdIfEUgwfc&feature=relmfu
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pazzo242
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:17am
Sure the lyrics are stupid–no you didn’t mean to hurt him!? I suppose that is correct given you meant to kill him. At the same time this video is no different then an old Dirty Harry movie where a woman goes on a killing spry after her younger sister was raped (can’t remember the name of it for the life of me). Its a theme that is addressed in plenty of movies, so what’s the big deal in this short video?

It’s not going on my shelf but it is still something that shows what can result from ones actions.
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- shazkennedy
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 7:10am
  Sudden impact
  Report Post »
dizzyinthedark
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:51am
Whether you like the video or not, Rhianna (who?) or not, BET (racist) or not, bottom line is men nowadays need to rethink asserting their power over women cause looks to me like they are packing heat more than ever! Looks to me like they are starting to solve their ‘justice’ once and for all whether you agree with that or not. Just sayin.
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Fastsam
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:23am
Be careful you racist pigs. Oh my bad, it was just another thug being a thug and making money off of it.But we still owe them retribution for the injustices they have suffered. NOT IN MY LIFETIME. But I will thank GOD for all those who were brought here and helped to build this country along side with the Irish, Indians and all others. Thanks to those people for AMERICA.
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vaquero
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:03am
Who the fu@@ is Rihanna any way ??? Why do we even care about stupid video ???
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publicuss
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:01am
Boycott B.E.T and the companies that buy ad time on the channel.
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Diane TX
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 3:55am
This stupid, and I really don’t care about it. It‘s not something that I’ll ever watch.
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PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:31am
THEY THINK life is a VIDEO GAME.
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silentwatcher
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:28am
and we wonder why the crime rate has skyrocketed. Let’s just keep putting such acts in the faces of our youth…..there once was a day when our youth had good guys and heros….now ???
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Netsurfer2
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:27am
Not sure if it is a good idea to sell violence to our children because of their music??? It make’s it OK to kill without a trial???
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paperpushermj
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:19am
B.E.T. is just giving their audience what they what to see.
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- mtnclimberjim
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 8:42am
  Just say yo. Is this a black vid? Bet they get all silly if a white vid gets made like this.
  Report Post »
- BS_Everywhere
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 10:20am
  I see you‘ve never heard of Jamie’s Got a Gun by Aerosmith have you. You may want to check out that video from 20 years ago.
  Report Post »
heavyduty
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:17am
She is either a dumb twit or lying about she didn’t know she was making a controversial video. But if they want to buy it then I guess it’s their loss. Personally I wouldn’t spend my money on it.
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- A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:26am
  Good for Rihanna, and good for BET for airing the music video.
  Report Post »
- Wilkins
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:39am
  Is there a Grammy for lamest, stupidest lyric?
  “… I didn’t mean to hurt him …”
  Report Post »
- foobear
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 2:54am
  Wait… MTV still plays music videos?
  Report Post »
- 101
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:27am
  Songify This: Winning
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QS0q3mGPGg
  Report Post »
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:38am
  @Heavy duty:
  
  Have to agree with you, her choice to make the video, and I do not have to buy it or watch it at all.
  Report Post »
- biohazard23
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 5:08am
  Isn’t this the same mental midget who sang with that poster child of misogyny, Eminem, about a violent relationship? Sounds to me like she’s perfectly OK with violence, especially when it “feels good” to her. Just one more reason I don’t listen to commercial radio. Thank God for Slacker!
  Report Post »
- avenger
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:16am
  redux of the roman empire in its last days….how many black women will think this is so hip to do their man……
  Report Post »
- Ruler4You
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:34am
  Does anyone remember the South Vietnamese Army guy that shot the NVA soldier in the head with his hammerless S&W? It’s a famous short, shown almost every time some one wants to poo-poo the war in Vietnam? Few people complain about showing that footage…
  Report Post »
- Dustyluv
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:41am
  Rihanna, who was attacked by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in February 2009, says she doesn’t agree with violence. Brown attacked Rihanna on the eve of the Grammys two years ago. He pleaded guilty to a felony and was sentenced to five years’ probation. “I‘ve been abused in the past and you don’t see me running around killing people in my spare time,” she said.
  
  Too bad…Chris Brown should have been in this video, without blanks…He is a POS
  Report Post »
- Meyvn
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 6:45am
  Rihanna = FAIL!
  Report Post »
- rangerp
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 7:19am
  Black Americans make up about 12% of our population, and they do about 50% of the murders, 70% of armed robbery. Some will call you a racist for bringing this up. There is a big difference from racism and realism. Then if you watch the so called Black Entertainment, it is loaded with violence, filthy lyrics, degradation of women…. You are what you eat, with the the mind, there is no difference. Feed the mind a continious flow of filth, and actions will be filthy. Conservatives are quick to point out hollywood at being liberal, socialist, and progressive, but I very seldom hear people do the same with rock music. I place rock as an umbrella with many sub groups under, to include, hip hop, rap, and others. I do not think Americans realizes how big an influence music has been in destroying the moral fiber of this nation.
  Report Post »
- burned at edges
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 8:38am
  Don’t know why that is controversial.
  We see violence with guns every day in movies and t.v.
  If you actually watched the video through, she is showing remorse for what she had just done and at the end it implies the reason she did it in the first place was due to being sexually assaulted by the guy.
  It is not as if it is a gang style killing just for the sake of killing and glorified that is portrayed.
  Report Post »
- Al J Zira
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 8:57am
  @WILKINS: Is there a Grammy for lamest, stupidest lyric?
  
  Yes there is, and they give one out every year.
  Report Post »
- ForgivenWretch
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 10:17am
  At least she used the gun safety rule of keeping your finger off the trigger until your sights are on your target (at the end). That is something you don’t see much of on the TV. However, the rule of knowing your target and beyond isn’t followed because she fires on the guy in a crowded public place.
  
  So, they are right in asking this not be aired even though it follows one gun safety rule, it ignores another.
  Report Post »
- ozchambers
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 11:09am
  @BIO. Love my Slacker G2 and Slacker.com!!
  Report Post »
- Eraldo
  Posted on June 3, 2011 at 4:43pm
  This is their culture their lives and everything that they know about life.
  Report Post »
- bombshelterbob
  Posted on June 4, 2011 at 1:01am
  Rihanna who?
  Report Post »

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