Rihanna explains Chris Brown collaboration

(CBS News) When fans found out Rihanna asked Chris Brown to guest on a new track earlier this year, many wondered, 'Why?'

The R&B/pop singer is now explaining the reason behind collaborating with her ex-boyfriend (the same one who assaulted her in 2009) on "Birthday Cake." Although there's been speculation of a reconciliation, Rihanna says it's "innocent."

"I reached out to him about doing 'Birthday Cake' because that's the only person that really -- it made sense to do the record," Rihanna told radio host Ryan Seacrest. "Just as a musician, despite everything else, that was going to be the person. You know I thought about rappers, and I've done that so many times, and the hottest R&B artist out right now is Chris Brown."

Rihanna also revealed why she then recorded vocals for Brown's single, "Turn Up The Music."

"We did two records," she told Seacrest. "One for my fans. One for his fans, and that way our fans can come together. There shouldn't be a divide. You know? It's music, and it's innocent."

Next up for Rihanna? She'll make her big-screen debut in this summer's "Battleship," the new action flick, directed by Peter Berg and starring Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch and Alexander Skarsgard. She's also been working on fashion designs for the Armani collection and told Seacrest she wants to start a label of her own someday.

"Right now, I'm doing a bunch of meetings, little things here and there," Rihanna said. "Some video, some photo shoots. No touring this year. I won't go on tour until next year. Though this year we're doing movies, and still making music, and music videos. I'm really prepping for the next year."

Listen to the entire interview here.