Rihanna Rated R

      Rihanna was an artist my group picked for our women in music unit. Rihanna came out with "Rated R" album in 2009, and brought a different feeling this time. This album was more explicit and arrogant. This was due to her relationship with Chris Brown, with the abuse, leading to this album. Abuse can change someone, but Rihanna chose to come back stronger. She made sure to use this album as a way to say she is Rihanna and nobody is going to take that away from her.
     I enjoy the straight forward tone in the song "Hard", which my group also chose.  This song was clearly towards the media trying to tear her down and she calls them out directly. I love the way she went against the stereotype of women being "soft", because that is not always true. Women can be tough and "hard" too. Confidence is shown throughout the song when calling herself "the hottest b*tch", and mentioning she is "brilliant, resilient", yet also popular with "fan mail from 27 million".
    The music video of this song played along with the description of being "hard" as Rihanna plays as a part of the Army. When you think of being tough, the Army is a great example. I love this songs meaning, video, and catchy chorus. It is a song you can jam to but also can get you pumped up. As a woman, it is nice listening to a song taking a stand for other women, making us united and strong.