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    Rihanna’s ‘Rockstar 101′: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet
    Posted by on 9:20pm in

    MTV.com: Rihanna’s just-released “Rockstar 101″ video is arty and sexy and all of that, but it’s perhaps most notable for the questions it poses. Like, how does one affix giant horns to their head? Is there a proper technique for smashing a guitar? Or, most importantly, since when did Slash become a total babe?

    Yes, there’s much to ponder in the video — so much that it requires repeated viewings to digest. And since we’ve spent the majority of the day doing just that, we’ve also noticed a lot of things in the clip that seem familiar. So, as we’ve done in the past for the likes of Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera, we decided to give “Rockstar” the “pop-culture cheat sheet” treatment. Here’s a list of all the things that flashed by our eyes, alphabetized for your perusing pleasure. Oh, and though we’re thorough, we’re sure there’s something we missed along the way — feel free to let us know about it in the comments below.

    Here’s what you might have missed in Rihanna’s “Rockstar 101″ video:

    Barker, Travis: Tattooed beat-keeper for Blink-182 (and your favorite rapper, too). This one’s actually pretty obvious, as Barker makes roughly a bajillion cameos in the “Rockstar” clip, playing drums with Rihanna’s band. He actually taught RiRi how to play drums, too, and told MTV News about it back in March.

    Björk: Icelandic ingenue. When she puts on her horned helmet, Rihanna reminds us of Björk (specially in this picture), who has spent more than two decades doing this sort of delightfully odd stuff. Of course, the helmet also reminds us of something that Tank Girl would wear, too. So, perhaps it’s more accurate to say she was equally inspired by both.

    Bravery, The: New York-based synth-rock act turned Americana-obsessed rockers (no, not the Killers, they’re from Las Vegas). While Barker may man the kit in Rihanna’s “Rockstar” band, the rest of the group — minus the girls, of course — eerily resemble the Bravery, circa their “An Honest Mistake” video. Or maybe we think all dudes with faux-hawks, studded belts and eyeliner look that way.

    Iamamiwhoami: Mysterious, supposedly Swedish Internet phenomenon who refuses to reveal his/her true identity. There’s a whole lot of “Rockstar” that reminds us of Iamami’s mind-bending viral vids: the part where Rihanna is smeared in black paint, the part where she traipses around a snow-covered forest, etc. Sadly, there is no scene that depicts gratuitous tree-licking, though maybe RiRi’s saving that for the next video.

    Nightwing: Second-tier DC Comics superhero, best known for being “the persona Dick Grayson adopted after he got tired of being Robin.” When Rihanna is fronting her rock band, she reminds us a whole lot of Nightwing, especially since her eyeliner looks like a mask (oh, and her hair is Dick Grayson-esque, too.) Batman could not be reached for comment.

    Nine Inch Nails: Hugely important, now-dormant industrial rock outfit masterminded by Trent Reznor. The oddest influence on “Rockstar” appears to be the videos of NIN, in particular their Downward Spiral era. The cable-laced white room Rihanna and her band perform in seems like it was rented from the “March of the Pigs” video, and the projected mushroom cloud at the end of the video reminds us of NIN’s “Hurt” clip.

    “Russian Roulette”: Debut single from Rihanna’s Rated R album. In a knowing nod to the artwork for her previous single, Rihanna wraps herself in chains in the “Rockstar” video. It’s not exactly the (sorta) barbed wire she dons on the cover of “Rated R,” but it’s close enough for us.

    Slash: Top-hatted guitar legend and all-around awesome dude. OK, so the former Guns N’ Roses axman doesn’t actually appear in the “Rockstar” video, but Rihanna does don his trademark hat and sunglasses, “plays” guitar, and acts all kinds of sexy, something which makes us re-evaluate our prepubescent years, to be honest.


    LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW

    • maison martin margiela

      Back on top bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • amanda hearts ri ri

      Rih fans we should be celebrating today….rockstar 101 video is an AMAZING and the Rated R remixes was released today!!!! Get your bottles…champagne, wine, juice (lol if you’re under 21) and let’s celebrate!!!!!

    • tracee

      @mmm
      imma have to the “how to b first on rd cheat sheet” on u! lol

    • maison martin margiela

      @Amanda Hey girl!!!!! I think RD is partied out.Too many assholes was on here and they pissed folks off.So its been quiet

      today *kanye shrug*

      • kennyfenty

        Why you always worried about what others have to say?! Isnt the only thing that matters is that you personally love the video?!

    • http://yahoo miss.almost 14

      Wht up just watchd the world premire of rockstar 101.Rih u did your thing on that.(L0L! So funny when rih dressed up like slash at the end.)Love the video Rih.

    • http://rihannadaily.com lilly

      I hope everyone is buying rockstar 101

    • amanda hearts ri ri

      @Maison….hey!!!!!! Well I’m going to celebrate our girl tonight!!!! If people don’t like Rockstar 101 that’s their problem. @Tracee….hey chica!!!!! So ladies, I wonder what Mr. Rihanna thought of the video. I’m sure he loved it :)

    • tracee

      hey amanda
      how r u?

      • amanda hearts ri ri

        i’m good. We need to get the train repaired and back to business! lol. How are you? What do you think of the RS 101 video?

        • mdd

          Do not worry in two weeks when Rih comes back to LA the train will be up and running. I think Matt needs Rih more than she needs him right now. Matt and Rih have to be missing each other like crazy right now. I know they have to live their lives seperate from each other in odrer to not smother each other.

    • amanda hearts ri ri

      When you go to vevo. com Rihanna and Rockstar 101 vid is the first image that comes up!!!! (goes to go watch the EPIC video again)

    • Golong

      look at my fan-made pics 4 rs101 http://twitpic.com/photos/Ricanaire IM SO HAOPPY THEY LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!

      • kennyfenty

        LOL Golong! Love that picture! It actually looks like $lash!

    • Golong

      Rockstar 101 is THE BEST. i was a little bit disappointed that it was in B&W, but damn Rihanna, YOU LOOK FINE! Matt Must Be One Lucky Fucker To Get Her, (LOL)

    • Lu

      ..Hey..what’s good desert RD(again)?!!…lol..

    • mdd

      Lu
      Hey how are you doing?

      • Lu

        …hey…i’m doing good,thanks…and how r u doing?..

        • mdd

          Lu
          I am okay fans are asking when the train will be prepared. I told the fan asking we will not have to worry. Two weeks it will get wild and crazy in here.

          • Lu

            …lol..yeah,in two weeks we will have a bunch of money shots..lol..

          • amanda hearts ri ri

            ok, in 2 weeks we’re back to business…money shots and L.A. will rock again!!!! Long overdue.

          • Lu

            @ amanda hearts ri ri
            ..hey girl…how have u been?..

            …lol..yeah,money shots all over the place..lol…
            ….i was talking the other day with@maison that the “treasure chest” is already crammed …lol.

          • amanda hearts ri ri

            hey Lu, i’m good. How about you? The treasure chest is crammed? That is a good thing!!!! The next session will be hot!!! Just like the Marih reunion…..if those wallls in her house could talk…lol.

          • Lu

            …i’m doing good,thanks…
            ..yup,is so packed that i can not even close the lid of it anymore…lol…
            ..yeah,the house i’ll go down!!..lol..

    • Demmi

      She gets 4days off after tomorrow Hmmmmm……. Maybe a quick trip home? LOL

      • amanda hearts ri ri

        hmmmm, demmi, good point. We’ll see. I hope she does make a quick trip home….let me tell the train conductor to be ready just in case..lol

    • http://www.k.com n

      So what will the phone conversation be like this time :X-P:

    • http://www.k.com n

      LOL Demmi, I know she miss her bro soo much :silly:

    • http://www.k.com n

      If my bro was fine as wine, I would too. If I had

    • http://www.k.com n

      one*

    • bodacious

      he lu ,,, i have been nauty you have to see the link posted a post are two back,,,,,,you can cee where i types i hope this works and duane de corrected it for me ,,,check it out if you get a chance ,,, i am turning in i am falling asleep at the computer ,,,,nite ,,,nite all :star:

      • Lu

        hey!!!….lol…ok,i’m gonna check it out…
        …have a good nite..

    • http://www.k.com n

      Don’t even let me kesh you staring, I will FuZz U uP :giggle:

    • http://www.k.com n

      NITE BOD :bye:

      • amanda hearts ri ri

        so you took a hiatus from RD?

    • Demmi

      Tomorrow id the last date of the European tour some serious ish is going to go down the band are going to play practical joke on Rih.

      • Lu

        ..LOL..yeah,probably….just like they did in the previous tour…
        …but she always get them as well…lol..

      • kennyfenty

        But tomorrow isn’t the last date in Europe, she’s still going to Greece and Madrid in Europe

    • amanda hearts ri ri

      I”m out. Goodnight RD. Don’t forget buy/request RS 101 and buy Rated R, the Remixes!!! And Robyn girl, if ya reading ….we all anxious for you to get back to L.A. just as much as you are for the reunion :)

      • Lu

        …lol…
        …yup,let’s REQUEST and buy!!!..

        ..good nite girl…

    • TK-75523

      Rihanna does everything and anything!!!!! Always suprise us and bring ispirations from places no one would look!!! RIHANNA IS AMAZING and VERY BEAUTIFUL AND SEXY too to back it up!!!!!!!
      I LOVE RIHANNA <3333333333333333333333

    • Lopau

      The Queen is dominating :D

    • Last Boy on Earth

      I love Bjork

    • http://twitter.com/rockstarLAMB erica lynn howe

      this video is AMAZING, :yes: best video of 2010. love you rihanna, you rock babygirl

    • HumanitySector

      WHAT!? does this mean the beggining of new era or what?? http://rihannanow.com/
      ?

      • Last Boy on Earth

        uhhh, that got me excited!

    • maison martin margiela

      @Lu We need to see that treasure chest LoL

      • Lu

        @ maison…
        ..hey G!!!….are u here?..

    • JALLLLLLLLLLLLLLENNNNNNNN

      ROCKSTAR 101 VIDEO ON ITUNES NOWWWW!!!!

    • Cathyhi5RiRiHD

      Ha. LOL. Cheat treatment my foot.

      Keep it up referring to the video MTV and others. See what and what else you find. Keep finding and viewing.

      Keep finding and viewing too on Youtube, VEVO, et al. Run up the viewing. Feast yall eyes and oogle.

      That’s what it’s all about. Come on now. Heh.

    • Never a failure always a lesson

      No one is better than Rihanna this year!

      2010 is definitely the Rihanna’s year, and if she won’t win a lot of awards it will be completly unfair

    • http://twitter simba9771

      hey to those who are not in the us…..there is someone who just posted it in you tube…it rocks…..i liked the guitar spreading to her booty. and the slash part…i wished she did the ciara thing (in the like a boy video) by goin down with the guitar…i know she is able but it’s good she didn’t copy……i smell it will be a hit.

    • Paul

      WOW! On UK iTunes yesterday, Rated R was #39 now it’s #26! :)

    • Paul

      Also, Good Girl Gone Bad is #143 on UK iTunes! :)

    • Paul

      just looked on midweek uk chart update and te amo is set to fall 3 places to #17! what’s wrong wiv def jam! cant they see they need 2 release the video NOW??!! :(

    • Paul

      YouTube – Rockstar 101

      Yesterday = 77,000 views
      This Morning = 248,000 views
      Now = 453,336 views

      THIS IS GREAT! WITH NO RADIO RELEASE YET ITS AMAZING!! :):):):):)

    • Paul

      Plus, the average rating of the video is 4.08 out of 5 which is extremely good! :)

    • AssA

      Don’t forget, that ROCKSTAR 101 video is now on iTunes! Let’s make it no. 1!!! :-))

      This video is really great!

    • Paul

      @assa where is it at the mo?

    • VIVA GLAM

      I hope this song gets good air play

    • chris

      I THINK, THE SILVER PAINT REMINDS ME OF A PART ll OF UMBRELLA!

      DON’T YA THINK?

    • oleavia

      i looooooovvvvvvvvve it!!!!!!!!!!! THIS MUCH —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________—————————————————————————————————————————– SEEEE

    • Bianca

      I don’t get it… so what are you trying to get at with the Pop Culture cheat sheet? What point are you trying to make?

    • http://4444444 sofiane

      i love rihanna

    • http://ul.to/eonq3b DeeDee

      Download the OFFICIAL instrumental of Rihanna’s newest single Rockstar 101 for free! Click on my name… ;)