 The director Melina Matsoukas filmed the music video for " S & M " in Los Angeles on January 15 and 16 , 2011 . Matsoukas told Billboard that the video was inspired by Rihanna 's " sadomasochist relationship with the press ... it isn 't just about a bunch of whips and chains . " On January 27 , 2011 , a behind @-@ the @-@ scenes clip was posted on Rihanna 's YouTube channel , and the full music video premiered on Vevo on February 1 , 2011 . 
