Rhianna’s video, image stir controvery over artists’ responsibility to audience

She wields her sexuality like a battle flag and treats boys like cigarettes: something to be enjoyed then tossed aside when she's finished.

But is Rihanna a badass or a bad role model?

Recently, the singer came under fire for the video to her latest single, "Man Down," where she shoots a dude in the head in retaliation for a sexual assault. Is this a sign of feminine empowerment or of a woman perpetuating destructive behavior?

With Rihanna performing in town this weekend, we thought we'd ask some female Vegas musicians for their take on the polarizing pop star:

■ "I think it's fine if a pop star wants to represent themselves as an independent, sexually empowered woman. What I find incredibly insulting is when a sexually empowered woman clearly has nothing else going for her to empower her as a female. I'm not saying Rihanna isn't talented or beautiful, but being a sexually empowered role model is a dangerous responsibility, and anyone who strives to be such an icon needs to be thoughtful, respectful and hold themselves accountable for having an influence on the actions of others. She has clearly made several senseless decisions in her personal life and then chosen to capitalize on them in her career. To use violence, unapologetically, as a way to legitimize or salvage her reputation as a sad, lost, beaten little girl is hypocritical, immature and irresponsible.

"The sad thing is, I actually like some of her songs, and the production of her music is fantastic, but I cannot support, financially or otherwise, a person who so blatantly disrespects their audience and neglects to bring a shred of positivist, productivity or accountability to their artistic expression."

-- Melissa Marth, singer/keyboardist, The Big Friendly Corporation

■ "Rihanna doesn't creep into my life too often, but sometimes I fall victim when the 'big star-making machine' shoves her down my throat. I'm not impressed by the exploitation of her headline incident that has the potential to perpetuate more violence. This artist has the resources and the opportunity to use her celebrity status to promote positive thinking and world awareness."

-- Tarah Grace, singer/guitarist, Tarah Grace & The Magnetics.

■ "The issue isn't whether women should treat men the way that men treat women, it's that society has been breeding this type of man for a long time. It's the parents' job to teach both their sons and daughters to respect each other. If a child is not taught, then how are they supposed to know more humane treatment of others once they reach adulthood? Rihanna's behavior could be a coping mechanism. People often have to develop a slightly harder outer shell after dealing with life experiences in order to protect themselves from future heartache. It's not necessarily bad, it just happens sometimes."

-- Aily Iglesias, singer/ multi-instrumentalist, Jacuzzihidive

■ "I enjoy Rihanna's music/performances, however, I do not see what she does as empowerment. I think it has the opposite effect. By making herself a sex object through suggestive lyrics and imagery, she has literally stripped away her integrity as an artist. She may sing pro-female, and to a lesser extent anti-male, songs, however, it creates severe cognitive dissonance when her actions and appearance are taken into account. Her message seems to be 'do as I say, not as I do.' It seems manufactured -- manufactured to be edgy, which is where I think the flak from the new video derives. Women should endeavor to change the game, to make things more equal."

-- Kelley Karas, singer/guitarist, Astrionella

■ "What Rihanna does works for her. I can understand where she's coming from with everything that happened with Chris Brown. That's all fine, but I don't think a half-naked woman beating up men should be a representative of female musicians. I've written songs about being done wrong, but as far as the violence factor goes, it just brings her down to a man's level. Yes, male musicians have used references to women that basically classify them as an item not a person, and I respect her for turning the tables a bit, but portraying and possibly encouraging violence isn't the way to get back at them.

"Her image is a different story. Sex appeal these days is somewhat of a must, but personally, I don't think it's necessary to strip down to barely anything. I wear short skirts and shorts, too, but I know where the line is. And if I'm going to say I want to be a role model for young girls and give them something to dream about and strive for, I have to be conscious of that, and I think Rihanna and a lot of other female artists should do the same. At the end of the day, I respect her for her art. Her songs are great and, like I said, it works for her."

-- Roxy Gunn, singer-songwriter

"I think that it's a sign of female empowerment, which in this case is being looked at as something negative because she's killing a man and being more 'aggressive.' But what is the difference between Rihanna and Eminem killing his wife in a song or digging his mother's grave in a music video? It's one in the same to me. But if you listen to her lyrics, she seems to be remorseful about it. I think women are starting to get even with men, as in, whatever you can do we can do, too. Whether it's something positive or negative, I think that's for you to decide."

-- Paria B, spoken word MC

"Is this an issue just because she is a woman talking about retaliation? The message of retaliation for a wrong done to someone has been in music forever. Rihanna's take on this subject is probably influenced by her own thoughts of justice when she was the victim of a violent act herself. I know when I write songs, I write about whatever I am thinking, fantasy or reality. I include things I would never say or do in reality. Remember, just because she's a woman doesn't mean she represents all women."

-- Heidi Guinn, singer/guitarist, Dusty Sunshine

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.