MTV.com: Rihanna can always be counted on to deliver killer hooks and sexy looks in the eye-popping videos that accompany her chart-owning singles. The just-premiered clip for “Rockstar 101,” off her smash ’09 album, Rated R, is no exception. The visual casts Rihanna as the frontwoman for a rock band whose members include Blink-182 drummer (and friend-of-everyone) Travis Barker.
Perhaps the most striking image comes during the song’s breakdown, when Rihanna appears dressed as none other than iconic guitarist Slash. And it’s a fitting homage, as the former Guns N’ Roses axman provided the track’s signature riffage. But the original concept didn’t have Rihanna putting on a gender-bending performance.
“I was supposed to actually be in that video,” Slash told MTV News. “I played on the song, and they called me up to ask me to play in the video, but my record was just coming out, and I was sort of worn thin,” he explained. “She was really sweet. She sent me this pleading text to come do the video, but I couldn’t make it work. I told her that me not being in the video wasn’t going to make or break it.” So what does Slash think of Rihanna’s pantomime-like depiction of him in the clip? “The video is way better with her being me than with me being me,” he said. “All things considered, it brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn’t have been capable of. I think it’s hot, and I sent her a text this morning telling her it was definitely hotter with her doing it than with me doing it. Everything works out the way it’s supposed to.”
Slash admitted that he hadn’t heard back from her yet, but their easy relationship is one of mutual admiration: Rihanna is a huge fan of Guns N’ Roses, the singer told him, and Slash was way into “Umbrella.”
“I don’t come from that side of the fence, but I particularly liked [Good Girl Gone Bad],” he said.
Although he couldn’t make the clip’s shoot, Slash told us he feels pretty good about the outcome.
“I’m way more flattered that she played me in the video than her asking me to be in it,” he said. “All things considered, she’s pretty cool.”
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!She is the baddest Bish out right now!!
Comment by neddir — May 25, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SLASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Comment by maison martin margiela — May 25, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
First
Comment by Nenns — May 25, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
Great job neddir.
Comment by maison martin margiela — May 25, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
LOL!!! I wasted time reading the post first!!! I love that he loves it!!! All those that said he declined because he didn’t want to be part of the “Rihanna Movement” can bury their heads in shame!!! RD please tweet this statement he said, not just the link and make your followers retweet it!!!
Comment by Nenns — May 25, 2010 @ 9:02 pm
I beat you for once MMM….hehe
Comment by neddir — May 25, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
Everyone should paste this on her Youtube official video page!!
Slash fans thinking he didn’t want to do the video cos of her being pop.
Comment by Faizz — May 25, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
at least he is on the album and that’s why better then being in the video.
Comment by lilly — May 25, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
@Neddir You got me this time, but I’ll be back!! :-D
@Lu Where are you G4L!!!! If your lurking just wanna say hey. With all the assholes hating I can see why your lurking
whenever your ready. http://www.twitter.com/maison20000
Comment by maison martin margiela — May 25, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
NEW POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by maison martin margiela — May 25, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
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!!!!!
Comment by amanda hearts ri ri — May 25, 2010 @ 9:24 pm
Loved rockstar 101 video.Rih did her thing on that can’t wait to see wht she does next.
Comment by miss.almost 14 — May 25, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
..Hey….what’s good desert RD?!!…lol..
..loved this article….and that’s one of my fav scenes of the video!!!!…. 8-)
Comment by Lu — May 25, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
YAY!!!!!! GLAD to see and read that they have a good relationship togheter!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE RIHANNA <3333333333333333333333
Comment by TK-75523 — May 26, 2010 @ 3:50 am
http://betawards.bet.com/nominees/category/best-female-r-b-artist and look for the viewers choice thats the only one that really counts
Comment by bodacious — May 26, 2010 @ 9:02 am
I love him now. He seems way coooooooooooool. He seems really honored and appreciative.
Congratulations Neddir, for being # 1.
Comment by Cathyhi5RiRiHD — May 26, 2010 @ 11:43 am
@bodacious
Thanks for the link!! KEEP VOTING GUYS RIHANNA IS IN THE LEAD!
Comment by anonymous — May 27, 2010 @ 1:26 am
This video is by Melina Matsoukas, correct…umm she’s back onto her biting ways… the black painted rihanna scenes are copied ( or maybe some supporters would like to say “inspired”). Check this video http://vimeo.com/7912041, by BonDuke for up and coming fashion designer Savannah Wyatt. Asides from that…the slash improv was great, it’s nice to have something original.
Comment by jessica — May 29, 2010 @ 12:30 am