Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Rihanna shows her mean streak

July 7, 2010
Rihanna and Ke$ha performed Tuesday at Pengrowth Saddledome. Attendance 12,000.

A bleeding heart on the big screen, being squeezed in a clenched fist with painted black nails, talon-like.

That was but one image flashed Tuesday night at the Saddledome as Barbadian R&B sensation Rihanna sang her opening song, Russian Roulette, on an elevated platform.

It was the first of many dramatic, angry images seen throughout her concert.
During the aggressive, electronic R&B of Hard, a troupe of backup dancers sported glowing pink rifles. At the song's conclusion, Rihanna straddled a similarly coloured cannon.

For the pounding pop of Shut Up and Drive, she climbed up on the wreckage of a car while a guy dressed as a crash test dummy breakdanced in the background. For the tune's finale, other dancers took baseball bats to the vehicle.

This was a darker and tougher Rihanna than the pop sexpot in pretty dresses who we've come to know over the years.

The sexy factor was still present, to be sure. During Rude Boy, Rihanna was wore a black S&Mstyle getup that accentuated every curve. The difference is, the 22-year-old's image has taken on a real edge.

Of course, the radical shift has occurred in the last year following Rihanna's violent, highly publicized breakup with her former boyfriend, R&B star Chris Brown. Brown was charged with assault after an altercation between the two on the eve of the 2009 Grammys.

Rihanna's latest album, Rated R, reflects her harsh new reality and the same is true of her Last Girl On Earth Tour.

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