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International multi-platinum selling pop singing sensation, Rihanna, who hails from Barbados, will release her fourth album on Nov. 23, 2009. The album will be titled ‘Rated R’, and a few days ago the first single from the album titled ‘Russian Roulette’ was released, receiving large amounts of praise and even criticism for its reference to the dangerous and potentially fatal game and for the fact that the song is not her typical upbeat dance record. Rihanna’s first album ‘Music Of The Sun’ (released in 2005 at the age of 17) featured hit singles ‘Pon De Replay’ and ‘If It’s Lovin’ That You Want’. Rihanna’s second album ‘A Girl Like Me’ (released in 2006) featured hit singles ‘SOS’ and ‘Unfaithful’. Rihanna’s third album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ (released in 2007) has been her most successful album to date. Her career skyrocketed after its release with solo tours, endorsements, and more. The majority of songs on the album became a hit. The singles ‘Umbrella’ Feat. Jay-Z, ‘Don’t Stop The Music’, ‘Shut Up And Drive’, ‘Hate That I Love You’ Feat. Ne-Yo, Rehab, ‘Disturbia’, ‘Take A Bow’, and ‘If I Never See Your Face Again’ Feat. Maroon 5 all dominated the Billboard charts and radio for weeks and months at a time.

Now a lot of people say that they got something positive from the first single ‘Russian Roulette’ (written by Ne-Yo who also wrote 'Hate That I Love You'), but many say it’s a devil worshiping depressing song that promotes suicide. I must disagree because I did my research, and listened to the song several times and read the lyrics. My interpretation of the song’s meaning is taking a risk to do something (achieve a goal for example), despite how fearful you may be of the outcome, or about someone trying to harm another person physically in a relationship, and also that love is like a gamble meaning you never know what you're getting into. I love the song, and think it’s very unique. As a poet, I can understand Rihanna’s creativity. Some of my writing may reference negative situations, but it does not mean that I am promoting it. I’m simply describing what I have experienced or seen. Now even though she has a lot of young girls that make up her fan base, she is still an adult and entitled to live her life and express herself how she chooses. Rihanna has a great voice, great style, has accomplished things some people only dream of, and is very rich so clearly she is not a talentless fool. Anyways, below is the song and pictures of the ‘Russian Roulette’ single cover and ‘Rated R’ album cover. Be sure to check them out, and for more info visit: RIHANNA OFFICIAL WEBSITE, RIHANNA MYSPACE , & ULTIMATE RIHANNA








LYRICS: Russian Roulette By Rihanna