Rihanna Claps Back At “Man Down” Critics

“I’ve Been Abused Myself And You Don’t See Me Murdering People”

Taking a break from tour rehearsals in Baltimore, Rihanna called in to BET’s 106 & Park tonight to speak on the controversy raging about her new video “Man Down,” which opens with her busting a shot in a rapist’s head-back…

Critics have charged that she is condoning vigilante justice, but Rihanna dismissed their charges.

“I personally don’t condone violence or murder,” Rihanna stated for the record. “I’ve been abused in the past and you don’t see me running around killing people in my spare time.”

Rebutting claims that she was just trying to stir up publicity, Rihanna said: “I didn’t go into it to make a controversial video. I wanted to make a mini movie, something raw and artistic. And if I can be a voice for so many who aren’t heard, I win twice. Look at how it’s affecting people. Girls are empowered by this. It’s easy to turn it into something negative. I’m just really impressed that my fans get it. That’s really important to me. This is a story for them. This is not for the critics it’s for my fans.”

Her message to those fans? “Have fun, be flirtatious and sassy, be flirtatious, be innocent and sweet—be everything you are. But try not to be naïve. And that’s not coming from a parent but a peer.”

Rihanna did not, however, speak to the backlash among Jamaicans who have been Twittering about why she came to their homeland to make a video about rape and murder. More on that later…

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