Rihanna - Man Down

It took me a while to actually watch this video that's been getting all too much attention, but I've finally watched it, and if you haven't watch it now so I don't start ruining it for you:




So now you've watched it, lemme share my thoughts.
If you didn't already know, this video has been getting a lot of negative press because the Parents Television Council deemed it as glorifying violence.  Rihanna personally hit back via twitter, and continues to support her choice.
My own feelings about it are incredibly mixed, so I'm just gonna bullet point it all:

• The song is absolutely rubbish! Maybe the Parents Television Council banned the song because it hurt their ears? Her vocals are beyond terrible, the reggae beat is soft, and the fact that she tried to revive her Bajan accent works against her. In terms of lyrical content, I have to question where the inspiration came from, and why she likes saying "rum pum pum" so much The song is rubbish.
• One of the biggest problems I have with Rihanna (aside from her obvious lack of vocal talent) is the fact that she clearly does not understand her target audience. The fact that she's tried to sell S&M to her young teenage target audience is worrying. Rihanna took to twitter to argue that she isn't a role model, but as such a public figure, she undoubtedly has influence over her fans. Inadvertently, she is a role model, and that she tells the story of a woman who shoots a man through "Man Down" sends the wrong message.
• On the flip side, "Man Down" is a song filled with regret. If you listen closely to the lyrics, the character isn't proud of her actions. I think the message she tries to get across is that young women must always be careful and smart in this dangerous world, but that message can easily be confused with one that argues that violence in retaliation of sexual victimisation is acceptable. After all, how many people, when watching a music video, listen closely to all the lyrics? The visual often makes ist impression before the audio. (well so I think, If I'm wrong, tell me)
• The video is rubbish. I wanna know why she filmed it in Jamaica instead of her home country. Is she ashamed of her Bajan roots? (food for thought [lol])

Anyway, that's my opinion on the subject.