Harmony Korine Assists Rihanna's Revenge in the 'Needed Me' Video
Didn't they tell you that she was a savage?
Rihanna loves boats, weed, guns, and revenge fantasies. The “Needed Me” video (which premiered this morning) is the second of its theme, with “Bitch Better Have My Money” being the first in Ri’s revenge series. Allow us to refresh your memory.
Harmony Korine directed “Needed Me,” though, putting a hazy Spring Breakers high on Rihanna’s already smoked-up vision. The video is, of course, NSFW, and it is splendid.
Since today is 4/20, it’s fitting that the video features Rihanna playing the jilted, revenge-seeking partner of a drug ring’s kingpin. Putting the stylistic similarities aside, it’s clear Rihanna is nowhere near being a crying Spring Breakers Selena Gomez in this video, or even a criminal convert, a la Alien’s harem of balaclava-bearing girls.
Instead, Rihanna is in charge. She needs no “Bitch Better Have My Money” girl gang, and she needs no explanation for her rage. All she needs is a gun, a destination, and a getaway boat. Even though “Work” has been at the top of the charts for weeks, perhaps this cinematic push will put one of her best tracks of all time at the top, too. We wouldn’t want to upset Rihanna, if we know what’s good for us.
