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What Are Rihanna And Chris Brown's New Songs Really Saying?

Posted Thu 22 Oct 2009 7:16AM NZDT by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

Hey, don't be mad at me for comparing Chris Brown and Rihanna's brand new singles.

The former pop couple decided to release their first official post-incident songs just three weeks apart.

Chris' "I Can Transform Ya," featuring Lil' Wayne and Swizz Beatz, was released on September 19, and Rihanna's eerie "Russian Roulette" ballad premiered on her site, RihannaNow.com, Tuesday.

Hear Chris Brown's second new song 'Crawl,' a apology record

The lyrics of both songs are quite suggestive.

On "I Can Transform Ya," Chris brags about his ability to buy his female pursuit whatever it takes to "mold," "build" or "transform" her.

On "Russian Roulette," Rihanna sings about her unconditional love for a mate, who lures her into a round of the life-threatening game.

Listen to Rihanna's new song "Russian Roulette."

"I Can Transform Ya" is the stronger pop song. Chris revisits his dance roots with a track heavy on futuristic synthesizers and syncopated handclaps.

Chris' single artwork and photos from the video shoot suggest a space theme. The song debuted at No. 52 last week on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. This video will be among his best.

Rihanna's "Russian Roulette" is not what I expected. Considering her feature on Jay-Z's "Run This Town," I anticipated her returning with a harder, driving record; something like her song "Disturbia."

Written by Ne-Yo, "Russian Roulette" is not triumphant or anthemic. Rihanna sounds fine. The production is nice. I could hear this on a movie soundtrack. The tone is just a bit somber, especially for Rihanna.

A song like Destiny's Child's "Survivor," Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" or Mary J. Blige's "Not Gon Cry" would have been too predictable and over the top for Rihanna's comeback song, but I think it would have been a good idea for her to send the message that she is okay.

Instead, "Russian Roulette" tells the story of a girl, who is scared and nervously taking the lead from someone who is testing her, encouraging her to play a game that could turn deadly.

But it's the song's ending that creeps me out the most. After Rihanna stops singing, and the music ends, there is a brief moment of silence. Then comes a single gun shot.

If Rihanna wants us to know that she is still healing, she makes her point very clearly.

The song does make me curious about the direction Rihanna takes on the rest of the "Rated R" album due out on November 23.

Chris, on the other hand, seems unaffected and back to his usual antics. His album, "Graffiti," is due out December 15.

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558 Comments

1. Mike Jones -
I agree that Chris Brown is just back to normal.

Feel bad for Rihanna for not being able to get over the incident.

Then again, domestic violence is a very pitiful/cowardly crime for a man to commit. I can see why Rihanna is still grieving over the "incident".

2. MsSchadenfreude -
Oh...Billy.

Once again, you're beating a dead horse. If both people are moving on, and making music again, isn't that enough? Why do you have to analyze what these two do every second? Of course it would seem Chris got over it sooner, seeing has how the public kissed his ass like they would die if they didn't. Rihanna still got going for her, no matter what you think of Russian Roulette.

Mind your own business and drop this already.

3. Yahoo! Music User -
you're cool

4. Yahoo! Music User -
i listened to both songs and i beleive rhianna's is much better. another question....why do people use these comments as aplace to try to hook-up with someone?! get a life!

5. TRAICIONERA... -
THESE KIDS HAVE ISSUES NOWADAYS...I BELIEVE RIAHANNA IS STILL ANGRY DEEP INSIDE....CHRIS ON THE OTHER HAND WANTS TO GAIN POWER...IF FOR HIS OWN EGO....LIKE A COMPETITION.....SAD ENOUGH..BY THE WAY THAT PIC WITH LIL WAYNE...NOT A GOOD MOVE...HE HAS BABIES AND WOMEN AS WHAT...WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DEGRADE WOMEN....SAD, BUT SO TRUE..YOUNG WOMEN, "STAND-UP"...TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DESTINY..FOR REAL.....

6. Yahoo! Music User -
Beats me...

7. Yahoo! Music User -
In my opinion, RIhanna's song is the better of the two. Chris' collab just seems like a whole lot of noise to me.

8. Yahoo! Music User -
I really liked rihanna's song... really beautiful. And I just don't get how chris brown can go back to normal that easily, it only makes him creepier to me.

9. Paula -
Rihanna's song is way better, I feel for her!!

10. Yahoo! Music User -
he has paid for what he had did so just let it go maybe she want him back and that is why she is still going on with this. he has said that he was sorry for what he had did to her. i still love his music.

11. Yahoo! Music User -
As far as I'm concerned, they were both in the wrong. She is consistantly seen as the victim, but no one focuses on the part she played in the situation. It was said that she started the fight, because Chris got a text message from another girl? She had no right to hit him, just as well as he had no right to put his hands on her. They are both still young, hopefully they will both learn something after what has happened, and grow up.

12. Angelica S -
I think Chris Brown's song is ok, but I dont like it as a comeback song. It's just like his other songs. At least Rihanna went in a different direction. I thought she would have done a pop song, like many others did, but I'm glad she didn't. She gave us something we didn't expect. That's y i choose her song. She wins this round. :)

13. Yahoo! Music User -
i luv rihanna and chris brown affair

14. Yahoo! Music User -
Chris' song has a good beat, but does not show off his vocal talent whatsoever. It's mostly all autotone and cynthetic beats. It will be popular in the clubs, but it's not one of his best. Rihanna, on the other hand--I have to give her props. She went deeper emotionally and showed more of her vulnerable side, which is sometimes difficult for artists to do. I love the ballad and am happy to hear that she's a versatile musician and not just all pop like Britney Spears.

15. Yahoo! Music User -
I LIKE CHRIS BROWN'S NEW SONG BETTER, AND I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEIR BUSINESS, THEY MOVED ON SO SHOULD EVERYBODY ELSE. CHRIS BREEZY STAND UP YA HEARD!!!!!

16. Yahoo! Music User -
I don't want to seem insensitive or anything, but did anyone ever see a mug shot for Chris Brown. I can not recall a celebrity ever being arrested without a mug shot being posted every where. I wonder if there was more to this domestic violence. Like what if they both beat the crap out of each other. That being said that doesn't make what Chris Brown did less wrong by any means. But honestly Chris Brown is at most 6 feel tall (thats a stretch), and he seem bigger on screen than in person. I just personally believe there is more to this story that everyone is being told. I also don't believe that any of it is business for the general public either!

17. Lesly -
Sometimes you just have those stupid girls that let a guy run their lives even if the guy is no longer with them,(trust me I have alot of friends like that) PATHETIC,,,,, tell them all the time. Most men suck and don't care about anyone but them (and maybe their mother) So i say "you don't care soo y should I" LATERZ........

18. Yahoo! Music User -
Neither song is that great. I was hoping to hear some real feelings being expressed in their lyrics. It maybe too soon to rehash the past.

19. Yahoo! Music User -
I think her new song sucks as well as her new style. I think what happened to her was awful but the best revenge is to go on and have a great life. She is just letting him know that he still runs her. He runs her when she puts on these crazy outfits and when she outs out suck awful music. She is a great musician and a beautiful woman but you could not tell based on her new music and style.

20. Yahoo! Music User -
I think her new song sucks as well as her new style. I think what happened to her was awful but the best revenge is to go on and have a great life. She is just letting him know that he still runs her. He runs her when she puts on these crazy outfits and when she outs out suck awful music. She is a great musician and a beautiful woman but you could not tell based on her new music and style.
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