The music video for “Rockstar 101” was shot in April 2010 and was directed by Melina Matsoukas, who had previously directed the videos Rihanna’s previous singles, “Hard” and “Rude Boy”. On May 19, 2010, Rihanna released a 30 second sneak-peak preview of the video on the internet, whilst the full video premiered on May 25, 2010 through the high-definition music video website VEVO. Shortly after the video was released, Slash said that he was “flattered” that Rihanna had impersonated him in the video, saying
“The video is way better with her being me than with me being me …all things considered, it brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn’t have been capable of. I think it’s hot. Everything works out the way it’s supposed to.”
Although Slash is featured on the song, he doesn’t appear in the music video for “Rockstar 101”, instead, Rihanna pays homage to him by impersonating Slash’s style and personality by presenting herself wearing a skull-laden top hat, wig, leather jacket, dark glasses as well as using a toothpick. Rihanna is also seen strumming a guitar in the style of a rockstar and reminiscent of how Slash presents himself playing his guitar. In total, Rihanna is seen in a total of eight different scenes and settings throughout the duration of the video, including being almost nude and covered in black body paint wearing only a spiked crown and wrapped in chains, which were fabricated by famous jewelry designer Fannie Schiavoni. In other scenes, Rihanna smashes a black electric guitar, wears an outfit consisting of parts of a guitar, as well as featuring an appearance by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who is featured as one of the dummers in Rihanna’s rock band.