But seriously: the atmosphere of "Pour It Up" is so different from every other stripper-themed pop video, from Rihanna's dual role as customer/stripper to the focus on the mad athleticism of the dancers to the total absence of men. I was going to say "blaring absence," but it's not blaring; it didn't even occur to me that there are no men in the video until someone else pointed it out. It's because Rihanna holds down this really legit masculine/feminine thing where neither seems to be lacking.
She doesn't just put herself aside on this gold motherfucking throne and say "I got the money, dance bitches," this dominating war cry that other women in pop have started to do. By also getting on the pole, she both works for and makes it rain on herself, a vast distinction from this idea that there is no strength in receiving attention and workin' it, that women must be like men (like men in thigh highs and Louboutins?) to be considered strong in this world.
Or maybe she just really wanted to be a stripper surrounded by other badass strippers and totally ball it out. Whatevs! I just know that it takes a serious goddamn woman to wear a denim thong. At least it's high-waisted. Totally in right now.
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