Despite all the recent controversy surrounding the music video, Rihanna's sexy new single, “S&M,” has shot from 31-8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becomes the greatest digital gainer after selling 145,000 copies last week. “S&M” becomes Rihanna’s 18th top 10 single on the Hot 100.
As Singersroom previously reported, “S&M” has been a nightmare for Rihanna. Besides being banned in 11 countries and on Youtube, the R&B star is being sued by famed photographer David LaChapelle amid allegations the raunchy video was "directly derived" from images he shot. The suit accuses the "Only Girl" hitmaker of copying the "composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colors, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting" of his pictures in her promo, which was directed by Melina Matsoukas.
In related news, Rihanna recently announced that Cee-Lo Green would be the supporting act on her upcoming North American ‘Loud,’ which kicks off June 4th in Baltimore.
Pop superstar Rihanna is no stranger to controversy, and her latest single “S&M” is no exception. Despite the song’s explicit lyrics and banned music video, it has still managed to jump into the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Although some have criticized her for pushing boundaries too far with this song, others are celebrating its success as a symbol of female liberation. In this article we’ll explore why “S&M” has become such a hit despite all the criticism surrounding it.
The title track off Rihanna’s fifth studio album Loud was released in late January 2011 and quickly made headlines due to its suggestive content. The chorus features lines like “Sticks and stones may break my bones/But chains and whips excite me” which were seen by many as inappropriate for radio play. The accompanying music video only added fuel to the fire when it was banned on multiple networks around the world due to its sexualized imagery and bondage themes.
Despite all this negative press, “S&M” continued to climb up the charts until it reached number 8 in February 2011 making it one of Rihanna’s highest-charting singles ever. This sparked conversation among fans about what could be behind this unexpected success given that most controversial songs usually don’t do well on the charts. In order to answer this question we must take an in-depth look at both sides of the debate surrounding “S&M”.
Song Analysis
Rihanna’s song “S&M” has made its way into the top 10 on Billboard, despite some controversy. The track is a sultry, seductive anthem that lyrically references power dynamics in relationships and BDSM culture. It contains explicit language, which has stirred up reactions from fans and critics alike.
The music video for the song features Rihanna dressed in various saucy costumes and taking charge of her sexuality. She shows off her body-confident attitude by posing in lingerie and riding around on a white horse. This imagery is seen as empowering to some, while others think it reinforces gender stereotypes and objectifies women.
Despite these concerns, “S&M” continues to be popular with listeners who are drawn to its upbeat production and catchy lyrics. Its success speaks volumes about how people can have different opinions but still come together over shared enjoyment of art.
Reception And Criticism
Since its release, ‘S&M’ has been met with a mixed reception. On one hand, many people have praised the track’s empowering message and catchy beat. Fans appreciate Rihanna’s boldness in expressing her sexuality and embracing body-positivity. Others argue that the song is objectifying and overly sexualised – they believe it reinforces gender stereotypes by portraying women as objects of desire to be controlled or dominated.
The music video for ‘S&M’ was also criticised due to its provocative visuals. The clip shows Rihanna engaging in activities such as licking ice cream off of a whip and riding around on a white horse while scantily clad. This imagery sparked debate over whether it was an empowering expression of female autonomy or simply another example of sexism in media.
Despite these criticisms, ‘S&M’ continues to thrive commercially. Its success speaks volumes about how art can bring together different opinions from around the world into shared enjoyment and appreciation – regardless of any controversy surrounding it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rihanna’s ‘S&M’ has made waves since its release in early 2011. Despite the controversy surrounding the song’s lyrics and themes, it managed to jump into the top 10 on numerous charts around the world. This goes to show that despite criticism from some corners of society, music fans still enjoyed this catchy pop hit.
The success of ‘S&M’ serves as a milestone for Rihanna and her career. It was not only one of her biggest hits but also showcased her artistry and willingness to push boundaries with her work. I believe she will continue to challenge conventions in future songs while continuing to produce chart-topping hits like ‘S&M’.
Overall, Rihanna’s ‘S&M’ proved that sometimes even heavily criticized music can be successful if it resonates strongly enough with listeners. The track was a leap forward for both Rihanna and modern pop music alike; providing inspiration for other artists who refuse to shy away from controversial topics in their work.
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