Abuse sells records, but not originality. Hollywood take note.

I just read an article about Rihanna's new video, S&M, being banned in 11 countries and how she's sending mixed messages to girls about abuse. I'm not sure how I feel about this. The video, while racy, doesn't need to be banned. I think it might be better suited for late night rotation, but it's not graphic enough to be totally banned in so many countries. The author of the article said that she feels Rihanna is sending mixed messages to girls about staying in abusive relationships. I don't think that's really the case with the video, or with most of the stuff Rihanna puts out. I think she just tries too hard to push the envelope. I don't think it always suits her either. People can expect things like that from Lady Gaga, but Rihanna? Not so much for me. It's even harder to sell when she started her career as a sweet island girl and then became a product of Kanye West and his 'gothic vision' for her wardrobe. It just makes her look like an abused and misguided girl trying to find an 'edgy' way to show she's tough. What actually bugs me the most about the whole thing is that the S&M video is a blantant ripoff of some David LaChapelle photos. Is anyone in Hollywood original anymore? Is there truly an artist out there to admire and that can actually claim their own work as their own? I read all the time about artists being in trouble for plagiarism. Will.i.am shatters my heart everytime I hear the Peas ripped off another song. Lady Gaga is supposed to be the queen of weird, unique. Does anyone remember when she first came out? She was pretty normal overall. I miss the artists that didn't have to use 'corporate weird' to sell music.