Although several eyebrows were raised when Rihanna decided to collaborate with Chris Brown on her suggestive single "Birthday Cake", the singer claims she was surprised by the backlash surrounding the song.

During an interview with Esquire UK, the "Talk That Talk" singer defended her decision to work with Brown, saying, "It never occurred to me how this was going to be a problem. I thought people were gonna be surprised that we finally did a record together, but I didn't see how people could think it was a bad thing, you know? In my mind, it was just music . . . I could never see anything wrong with making music."

When asked to clarify rumors that she and Brown have secretly been hooking three years after he violently assaulted her, Rihanna said, "[I worked with Brown] in a completely professional environment. I mean, if I went back to him [as a girlfriend], then that's a whole different discussion."

The Barbados born singer then quipped, "If I ever do, then that's something that y'all have to talk to me about when -- if -- that ever happens. Until then, look at it for what it is."

As for the sexually-based lyrics in "Birthday Cake", RiRi denies it has anything to do with their current relationship. "That was the tone before [he] was ever on the record," the songstress snaps. "You think it was going to be about hopscotch or jump rope?"

Before wrapping up the interview, Rihanna continued her irritated venting by adding, "There’s a lot of sh-- y’all can’t get over. Y’all holding your breath on a lot of stuff that doesn’t matter. When you realize who you live for, and who’s important to please, a lot of people will actually start living. I am never going to get caught up in that. I’m gonna look back on my life and say that I enjoyed it — and I lived it for me."

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