Rihanna’s new video “Diamonds” is more about raw emotion and visuals rather than a tangible plot. The singer is stripped of a fanciful wardrobe and dramatic makeup so we can focus on the power of the scenes unfolding around her. She rolls and smokes a cigarette filled with diamonds before the walls literally start falling around her.
The Anthony Mandler-directed video transitions between colour and black and white scenes of her floating in water, desperately running away from something (though we don’t know what), hanging out with a black stallion and witnessing violent scenes of war. It’s clearly stacked with symbolism, though it doesn’t bother me as much as it bothers other commenters.
Rihanna told MTV the visuals were very important to the story. “With ‘Diamonds,’ it was just a series of vignettes that we put together to help get the emotion across throughout the song ’cause the song changes and it builds, and there’s no real way that you could do that,” she explained. “You just want people to feel that and I wanted little cutaways of interactions that would give you the right emotion.”
“Diamonds” will be on her forthcoming album Unapologetic, out Nov. 19. And don’t forget to enter our Rihanna contest, ending Nov. 14.
Watch the video here
In Justin Bieber’s video for “As Long As You Love Me” actor Michael Madsen, who plays his GORG girlfriend’s dad, wants to break up their relationship. We’re not sure why since Justin is a total charmer. In fact, when Madsen tells Bieber off at the beginning of the video, he gets a few things wrong:
1) Justin Bieber is no mere boy. I mean he is, yes, but have some respect Madsen, he’s a MAN (duh). This storyline is decidedly more grown up than those we’re used to. It’s filled with forbidden love, family conflict and violent repercussions. Bieber is certainly evolving.
2) Madsen says: “I know what type of guy you are. Once upon a time I used to be the same thing. You know what that means? That means one day you’ll leave her for someone else, and break her heart.” To that I say: Like you know anything Madsen. I’ve never met Justin personally but I can assure you he’s not one of those scummy guys that would jet off for no reason at all. I can tell. Plus, doesn’t he prove his dedication when he risks personal injury to stay with his girlfriend?
3) The biggest lie of all is when Madsen claims he doesn’t want to know Justin Bieber. I mean, come on, we know you’re trying to play the tough father figure and all but EVERYONE wants to know JB. #AmIRight?
Even though Madsen gets a few obvious things wrong, we’ll forgive him because he seems like an intimidating guy (has anyone seem Reservoir Dogs?) and he’s definitely an amazing actor (again, has anyone seen Reservoir Dogs?).
In the end, things kind of go astray for Madsen when his daughter chooses Romeo Justin over her father, but we’re left with a bit of a cliffhanger.
The Anthony Mandler-directed mini-film features Big Sean. The track is taken from his fourth studio album Believe.
Watch it here:
