Rihanna has hit back at criticism over her new music video Man Down, insisting it is “art with a message”.

The video, which opens with Rihanna shooting a rapist, was blasted by the Parents Television Council, who deemed it a “cold, calculated execution of murder”.

The Barbados-born singer then took to Twitter to defend her latest single.

“I’m a 23 year old rokstar with NO KIDS! What’s up with everybody wanting me to be a parent?,” she tweeted.

“I’m just a girl, I can only be your/our voice.

“The music industry isn't exactly Parents R Us! We have the freedom to make art, LET US! Its your job to make sure they don't turn out like US.”

Rihanna is a victim of domestic violence herself, having been attacked by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in 2009.

MTV is yet to air the video.

Photo: © Rex