I love Rihanna. She is one of my favorite singers (”Unfaithful” is one of my favorite songs of all times), and I’m obsessed with her new song “Umbrella” (the video is pasted below… warning, racy content).

However, I’m not exactly sure what to make of her new video. I really like Rihanna because she is one of the more wholesome female singers… I’m not a fan of raunch and I’m usually very displeased when my favorite singers (cough: Beyonce) peel off their clothes for men’s magazines… but I do like it when female singers show that they embrace their own sexuality (like the way Nelly Furtado, Cassi, and even Sheryl Crow always look hot no matter what they’re wearing, without violently shaking their butts, because they just exude sexual prowess). So, I’m a little puzzed to see Rihanna naked, slathered in metallic gold paint, which looks really cool, but isn’t exactly in line with the “empowered female” thing I appreciate more. I mean, maybe she is embracing her sexier side, but it struck me more as trying to please male viewers… what do you think?