The music video for "S&M" was filmed in Los Angeles during the weekend of January 15, 2011, and was directed by Melina Matsoukas. 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 related to the video was posted on Rihanna's official YouTube channel. The music video premiered on VEVO on February 1, 2011.