 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
"Man Down" (CD Single)
Common Sense Media says
Violent lyrics about guns reinforced by very graphic video.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that "Man Down" is a very troubling song told from the point of view of a person who has just shot someone. While the song lyrics don't directly reference rape as the reason behind the shooting, the song's video shows Rihanna being followed into a dark alley by a man she met at a club, presumably to be raped. Even without the video, the single is mature enough to put it way out of young listeners' league.
What's the story?
"MAN DOWN" is a single from the album Loud by R&B star Rihanna that focuses on one thing -- shooting someone. While the lyrics don't include sex, substance use, or a lot of profanity (though there are a couple of "N" words), they describe a person who has shot and killed a man: "I just shot a man down in central station / It's a 22, I call her Peggy Sue when she fits right down in my shoes / What do you expect me to do if you're playing me for a fool / I will lose my cool and reach for my fire arm / I didn't mean to lay him down but it's too late to turn back now." The line "playing me for a fool" is an indirect reference to a rape, which is very directly addressed, along with a violent shooting, in the song's graphic music video. This is hands-down not a song (or video) for young ears.
Is it any good?
In a nod to her Caribbean roots (she hails from Barbados), Rihanna peppers this track with an infectious steel drum and reggae flair. But the appealing rasta beat can't mask the violent quality of the lyrics, which mars an otherwise cool song.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why countering even terrible violence with more violence is never the way to respond. If someone hurt you, what would be the best way to react?
Rihanna was notoriously abused by her former boyfriend and fellow R&B singer Chris Brown. What relationship might this song have to Rihanna's personal life?
The video is even more controversial and violent than the song. Why do you think music producers would choose to do this?
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AGE
Bad Worlds, Kill,
It's A Good Song But The Bad World And Kill Is Not For Kids Like 13 And Under
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AGE
Another great song by Rihanna
This is one of Rihanna's best songs and I don't understand what's so "graphic" about her video. So what there is a puddle of blood after the man gets shot but, its not really really violent I think people are being too harsh on Rihanna. Give her a break. This is a great song and Rihanna is a great role model so clam down. :)
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AGE
No!
No! this is horrible! Its Murder, violence! don't let your kids listen to this!
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| Artist: | Rihanna |
| Type: | Single |
| Release date: | June 16, 2011 |
| Label: | Island Def Jam |
| Genre: | R&B |
| Parental advisory: | No |
| Edited version available: | Yes |
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