'I'm a rockstar not a parent': Rihanna defends controversial new video showing her murdering a rapist
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:45 PM on 2nd June 2011
Rihanna has defended her controversial new music video Man Down, insisting 'this is the real world'.
Taking to Twitter today the singer attacked her critics, claiming she was a 'rockstar not a parent' and saying she had 'the freedom to make art'.
Man Down attracted the wrath of the Parents Television Council, who blasted Rihanna for showing a 'cold, calculated execution of murder'.
Defence: Rihanna has reacted with anger to criticism of her new video Man Down, in which she shoots a man who raped her
The video shows her taking revenge on a rapist by gunning him down in a crowded train station.
But Rihanna, herself a victim of domestic violence, disagreed with the criticism.
'I'm a 23 year old rockstar with NO KIDS! What's up with everybody wanting me to be a parent? I'm just a girl, I can only be your/our voice!' she wrote.
Controversial: Rihanna's video for her new single Man Down has attracted criticism
Violent: Rihanna is seen hiding in the shadows with a gun in her hand as she seeks revenge
Revenge: Her attacker lies sprawled on the floor after Rihanna kills him
And in an apparent direct response to the PTC she added: 'Cuz we all know how difficult/embarrassing it is to communicate touchy subject matters to anyone especially our parents!
'The music industry isn't exactly Parents R Us! We have the freedom to make art, LET US! Its your job to make sure they don't turn out like US.'
The council said in a statement: 'Rihanna's personal story and status as a celebrity superstar provided a golden opportunity for the singer to send an important message to female victims of rape and domestic violence.
'Instead of telling victims they should seek help, Rihanna released a music video that gives retaliation in the form of premeditated murder the imprimatur of acceptability.'
Flashback: After starting with the murder, the video goes back to the previous day when Rihanna was carefree
Island life: The video is set in Kingston, Jamaica
Media justice group Industry Ears also criticised BET for airing the video.
'If Chris Brown shot a woman in his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop,' Industry Ears co-founder Paul Porter said.
'Rihanna should not get a pass and BET should know better. The video is far from broadcast worthy.'
Today, a defiant Rihanna praised her fans for their support, tweeting: 'Thank you for the amazing response on ManDownVideo I love you guys, and I love that u GOT IT!!'
It's the second time in as many weeks Rihanna attracted criticism from the PTC - she was slammed for her kinky performance with Britney Spears at the Billboard Awards.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1393293/Rihanna-murdering-rapist-violent-new-video.html#ixzz1OAIUaQ00