Rihanna's naughty topless GQ covershoot

Rihanna's raunchy makeover continues, as the pop singer graced a magazine cover in little more than a pair of leather hotpants.

Despite her arms being strategically placed, the daring shot of a topless Rihanna doesn't leave much to the imagination.

Rihanna is seen featured on the forthcoming issue of the US edition of GQ magazine as she continues her high-profile publicity campaign for new album Rated R.

And it's clear she is keen to push the boundaries both visually and musically .

X-rated: Rihanna gets raunchy on the cover of GQ magazine with a topless shot

The singer has worked hard to relaunch her career following the abuse incident she suffered at the hands of ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

And it appears she hasn't taken inspiration from the pop world's emerging superstar Lady GaGa.

'She has a very bold, fearless image,' Rihanna told MTV News on the set of her Hard music video.

'I have to say, I have so much respect for original artists and artists who aren't afraid to do what they want to do,' Rihanna said.

'That's what I respect most, so she's awesome.'

Tough chick: The singer is filming a new video for song Hard and chose an unusual spiky dress

Armed and deadly: Rihanna shows off her weapons of choice

And in tribute to her new heroine, Rihanna wore a GaGa-esque dress with huge spongy spikes for the promo shoot and carried a rifle.

Meanwhile Rihanna's shamed ex, Brown, has silenced himself by quitting Twitter following a foul-mouthed tirade against shops not stocking his latest album.

Brown - who was convicted of beating then-girlfriend Rihanna earlier this year - deleted his Twitter account after accusing record stores of 'blackballing' his latest album Graffiti.

"I WANNA THANK MY FANS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT," Brown said.

"I LOVE YALL. GOODBYE!!!!!!!!!!!!" Over the weekend, Brown went on a tirade after he visited a Wal-Mart in Connecticut and didn't see his album on shelves.

'They didn't even have my album in the back ... not on shelves, saw for myself,' he tweeted.

Brown said he then spoke to the manager who had no answers.

He wrote: 'The manager told me that when there are new releases its mandatory to put em on the shelves. BUT NO SIGN OF £GRAFFITI. BS.'

Brown reportedly began using Twitter as a way to connect to his fans after he pleaded guilty and was sentenced for beating Rihanna.