WENN

In mythology, Amazonian female warriors were one of the ancient imaginings of female empowerment, through aggression and strength. Rihanna’s latest single from her CD ‘Rated R’ is not lacking in sexual aggression one drop. In fact, ‘Rudeboy’ is a mating call for the brothers who should know what to do, but may need some help.

In a slightly jarring switch from the harsh attempt of her previous single that was ‘Hard’, the 22-year-old Barbadian sings over a hypnotic dancehall beat. It allows Rihanna’s voice to do what it does best: lingering purrs and taunting howls. Lines like “Babe, if I don’t feel it/I ain’t faking, no no” are part of the subtle taunting that elicits the kind of female empowerment that fans love.

From a technical viewpoint, 'Rudeboy' has been engineered to touch Rihanna’s old guard of fans, perhaps alienated by her sometimes confusing singles post-SOS. The song seems effortless, because it is an evolution of her original work such as 'Pon de Replay' and 'We Ride' (albeit more explicit than those sugary songs). The cadences and improvisations at the end of the song are done with conviction, like any female warrior would do. Other songs on Rated R like ‘Hard’ don’t have the same battlecry magic.

In the video, Rihanna goes from dancehall queen to a raunchy Pebbles from Flintstones, all grown up. Directed by popular director Melina, it looks like it has been dipped in old Super-Nintendo cartridges, completely saturated with juicy colour. Who said being a warrior queen had to be about looking militant?

From past experience, the music market has taken to the Amazonian image of the female powerhouse, charged with Duracell-powered energy. Beyoncé and Pink are the generals of this type of singer. With songs like Rudeboy, Rihanna will be joining their ranks. What remains to be seen is whether she can sustain this attitude. Or is it another just another shield in her musical armour?