This is the newest article for my "Yes, Master" column that appears every other Wednesday (tomarrow) on The New Gay website. Visit The New Gay to read some of my other entries (simply enter "Master Aiden or "Yes Master" into the search feature) as well as additional insightful columnists and writings focused LGBT-related interests.
.................
As we all know, Rihanna is a major pop and isn't the first of them to have lyrics or imagery inspired by BDSM. But it's one thing for Britney Spears to woosh around a riding crop or whatever during a dance number (to make her seem "sassy") and it's a whole different deal altogether to dedicate an entire song, as well as a relatively expensive music video, to "S&M". As for Madonna, we'll discuss her on a different day since her descent into the fetish world requires it's own big, fat article (I'll get to it).
Using S&M as a subject concept is a way for high profile music stars to appear provacative, edgy, and sexual without going too far. By flashing images of whips, ropes, blindfolds, etc., they can touch upon taboo without getting raunchy or having to be nude. It can be an easy win-win.
I appreciate pop culture just as much as underground and subculture, so I was intrigued when I saw on Google News that Rihanna had premiered a music video online for her new single, "S&M". As a matter of fact, it's still featured on the Perez TV section of Perez Hilton's website so go ahead and check it out for yourself. After spending 20 years immersed in the darker corners of counterculture (goths, pagans, metalheads, the whole cast of "villains", you name it), I have actually become less cynical and more appreciative and accepting of what can be regarded as silly/fun/ridiculous/pop. I like a good hook and I don't disregard what's popular and commerically successful. No, it's not all "shit". I'm not a huge fan of the too-cool-for-school approach. My mind is fully open.
The first thing that I was impressed by with the Rihanna "S&M" music video was that this isn't a black on black on black dark aesthetic scheme. It's refreshing. Instead of shadows and pitch, the viewer is bombarded by pinks, greens, and yellows. Colors are always symbolic and meaningful and they work perfectly for her, especially since Rihanna is in a cartoonly colorful "full bloom" phase in her creative output and, in this video, we see her as an untouchably beautiful R&B Jessica Rabbit surrounded by goons and gimps. Watching her decked out in pink latex is a feast for the eyes, no matter which way you swing. I love that she wasn't too cautious or precious in her interpretation of how she images people fantasize. "S&M" can look like anything, especially when you're in charge of the scene. Since my whole Dom personae schtick is pretty much "Evil Prince" to sum it up generally, I wouldn't touch those candy colors with a ten-foot pole. But Rihanna is a confidant, hot-as-hell female pop star so she pulls off the alternative to the alternative color scheme without batting an eyelash.
The singer has decided to use the sadomasochistic dynamic as a metaphor for her volatile relationship with the press/media. Sometimes she's the one calling the shots while, at other times, they're the ones manipulating her. It makes sense for her to present voiceless writers (in ballgags, of course) jotting down and probably misinterpreting her every word. The pop star is both worshipped and contained, literally, in plastic wrap. The most puzzling part of the video is when we see superblogger Perez Hilton, himself, as a leashed dog-slave to Rihanna as lady of the house. This moment of the video (David LaChapelle-meets-"Edward Scissorhands") seems random within a whole set of random scenes but it brings up questions about who is obeying who. Gossip sites tear down stars. Why does Hollywood's number one loudmouth play a submissive in this case? Does he truly worship Rihanna or is this just an excuse to be in her music video? Is she above criticism? Is she another one of those pop stars that, to him, can do no wrong? Whether we want to admit it or not, bloggers and gossip sites do shape the public perceptions and careers of performers so it is attention-getting to see this guy bowing down to someone whose life he could easily adjust according to his personal whims. Interesting. All that glamour, fame, fashion, and money? It's a dangerous, give/take balance according to the video.
It's clear that the makers of the video enjoyed their playful approach while also being respectful, in my opinion, of the fetish world. Apparently someone on set knew what they were doing. I was impressed by their addition of a shibari rope arrangement (perfect for a music video) on Rihanna as well as featuring diverse revelers of fluid, questionable sexuality. And, as a BDSM pro, I thought that the short, pink single-tail whip that she uses on the journalists was an unusual, badass, and effective visual choice (do they come in black?).
The overall feeling of the song/video is one of fun and intrigue--it's naughty, sexy, harmless, personal, absurd, and strangely uplifting. Rather than presenting S&M as being dark and scary, Rihanna shows us a bright, vivid, eye-popping adult playground of her own imaginative making, exciting chains and whips included.
0 comments:
Post a Comment