After allowing journalists to make various speculations about her recent collaboration with ex-boyfriend, Rihanna has finally provided an explanation for her choice. The Barbadian singer told reporters at the Rolling Stone magazine that Chris Brown is “the hottest R&B star” of the moment.

Unlike many other artists, Rihanna is determined not to let her private life affect her career. For this reason, she decided to ignore the past problems that she and ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, have experienced and joined forces with him for the production of two new singles. People have speculated that the two artists might be romantically in love, but Rihanna told everyone that her relationship with Brown is strictly professional.

The fact that Brown is one of the “hottest” R&B stars of the moment was the main reason determining the “We Found Love” interpreter to collaborate with him. She further stated that she looked for other rap artists who could work with her for “Birthday Cake”, but none of them suited her plans for the song. The singer added in the end of the interview that Chris Brown has always been a good musician, despite everything that happened between the two.

In 2009, Rihanna and her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown cancelled their Grammy Awards performances after the R&B artist was arrested for physically assaulting the Barbadian singer. The two have never spoken to each other since then, but they reunited in 2012 to perform at this year’s edition of the Grammy Awards. Given that their presence on stage was well-received by the public, the two artists have decided to record “Brithday Cake” and “Turn Up The Music” together probably in the attempt to draw the public’s attention to them.

Even though Rihanna and her spokespersons are denying that the two may be romantically involved, their recent behavior proves something else. The 24-year old star was often seen partying and exchanging Twitter messages with Chris Brown in the past months.