Oh, dear. While it used to take at least a few days for pop stars to be accused of ripping off someone else’s work, it now takes only a matter of hours. Beyonce has been oft-criticized for generously borrowing from other people’s artistic visions, and Rihanna found herself at the wrong end of a lawsuit because her “S&M” video was a little too inspired by the works of renowned photographer David LaChappelle. Now there’s already accusations that her “You Da One” video rips off a 2008 shoot by Norwegian photographer Solve Sundsbo — and the evidence really doesn’t look to be in Rihanna’s favor. See some comparisons below.
Not a good sign — both clips were directed by Melina Matsoukas, who clearly didn’t learn her lesson last time. It’s highly unlikely that the similarities are a total coincidence — not only are the projected shapes similar, but both Rihanna and the model are wearing nearly-identical body suits and wigs (though the color differs). Plus, those pink lips providing the only splash of color also look pretty familiar.
So the real question is: do pop stars have the right to blatantly copy famous photographers, even when most fans will probably assume the video’s artistic vision is original and unique?
Take a look at more potentially incriminating photos, and tell us what you think below.
The video itself is okay.
The video was pretty good. But its not rihanna’s fault if she had similar scenes as the photoshoot. Shes only doing what she is told. Yall should blame the director instead……….
The video was awful, I am seriously surprised at the amount of success this girl has, she really is not that talent vocally and she rips off other peoples ideas in her videos.
Though there are blatant similarities between “You Da One” and Solve Sundsbo’s work, one can say that Sundsbo borrowed just as much from Fernand Fonssagrives, a fashion photographer from the 40′s who used the same themes and visuals decades ago. I’ll admit it would be great to see originality in these current music videos, and fashion photographer’s works, but if you’re going to call someone out for plagiarism, please investigate the person and art medium you claim they have copied and said person’s influences.
Why don’t you ever talk about who GAGA copies? She completely ripped off the Liam Neeson action film Taken for Bad Romance,also had parts of Final Fantasy 7 Videogame in that,David Bowie’s Loving the Alien video etc….with Born this way, she ripped off Aliens and Giger. Alejandro, she ripped off Viscounti’s the Damned and parts of Night Porter… TERRIBLY, I might add. She also ripped off Klimt in Judas…Gaga is the SINGLE biggest rip off I have EVER seen in the Industry,yet somehow,no one is complaining about her blatant THEFTS,yet Rihanna et all get pilloried for WAY less! It seems RACIST to me that some blogs are always ranting about Rihanna or Beyonce,when hell, I can SEE original thoughts and images in THEIR work, but not Gaga’s whatsoever. Lets be FAIR if we are going to point fingers….this is a TIRED point and I wonder WHY it is always brought up.
BTW Videos have ALWAYS borrowed from Popular culture and films, and that is the way it was when Madonna ripped off Gentlemen prefer Blondes in Material Girl and Fritz Lang in Express yourself. Michael Jackson even based Thriller on Teen Wolf and an American Werewolf in London. It is what it is…..truly original images like those of David Bowie in his 80′s videos is RARE in videos, but that does NOT mean homages in Videos are bad etc….when they ADAPT something and achieve uniqueness on their own in a homage,it is okay,and that is the case with Beyonce 100%. But NOT Gaga,and not Rihanna,their lifts are too direct,no change,no imprint…..so lets call EVERYONE out that does that without adaptation…keep it fair…Gaga is the WORST one,so post on HER next rip off with as much alacrity as you did this one,please. Thanks…
I’ve always had so much respect for Melina Matsoukas’ artistic vision, but damn, you can’t just steal someone else’s ideas and think that no one will notice!! She needs to stop working for a while, maybe that will help her…
They are not speaking of GaGa in here cause this headline is clearly about Rihanna. Besides if they do cut GaGa slack is cause the girl can actually sing same for Beyonce. Remove the backing track, RiRi sounds atrocious. A video is the least of that girls worries. Why isnt anyone making an issue about how Rihanna has so many number 1′s songs and no number 1 albums. Where is her Navy?
and what does talent have to do with ripping off ideas of other people? just because you are talented you can steal ideas? girl, please take a seat, this is true this site keeps bashing rihanna and beyonce because of their “plagiarism” but they do not say anything about gaga’s whole copycat career
she sounds atrocious to you not to the people who sold out 10 times the London 02, a record
And her navy is buying her albums, last time i checked Loud has sold more than any pop album released in 2010 and 2011, exception of Adele of course
Nice post….good catch on Fonsagrrives.
That is like the time they were absurdly saying Beyonce copied some Italian singer at Billboard Awards,and actually Andy Warhol invented the concept in 1967,plus Beyonce had used the concept for Why don’t you love me video before that singer’s performance anyway!
Some KNOWLEDGE of who did what is needed if they are going to try to call someone out….! Cause it is a FAIL most of the time!
Meanwhile,Gaga is the most blatant rip off EVER but they are silent…..why is that? Reasons certainly come to mind,none of them that speak to any FAIRNESS on the part of the blogs’ doing the complaining about the other artists…lets be fair and consistent!
@ Tigerlily, you wrote perhaps the most eloquent response i’ve ever read on this site. kudos to you! and thanks for the heads up on Fernand Fonssagrives. i’m a massive art history fan, but did not even know this lovely photographer existed!
i dont know if you fools cant read but this is about rihanna not beyonce…i knw half the people who wrote about beyonce have a very poor reading and understanding….stupid hoes,,,leave beyonce and lady gaga alone you matated silly rabbits,,,,,,,i dont know whats your problem
buffoooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnsss