Chris Brown and Rihanna’s new duet “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” is, indeed, “Unapologetic.” The song has arrived in full a few days out from Rihanna’s new album release, and the pair would like for detractors of their rebudding relationship to butt out.
Using a famed line from Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel,” they both sing on the refrain: “It ain”t nobody”s business / Just mine and my baby.” The sound, overall, is reminiscent of MJ, which must’ve thrilled the pants of Chris Brown, a longtime disciple who has never shied away from the comparison. It’s helmed by The-Dream.
With lines about making out in a Lexus and the continued use of “baby,” one would assume that Rihanna and her baby are back together, which they’ve both denied in the past week. The question of their relationship status, however, will never cease to pique others’ curiosity so long as Rihanna and Chris Brown make songs like “Nobody’s Business.” Making their business model dependent on “Nobody’s Business.” Business because of “Business.” The snake eats it tail.
“Nobody’s Business” is a decent song, if you’re in a place to hear it. I think it’s lame to drum up publicity based on the reformation of what I think is a screwed up relationship that should truly be addressed quietly, but if Brown-Rihanna duets are the MO in the future, so be it. This is one of the cases where the public persona plays deeply into how songs are written and performed, making their personal business of “Business” fair game in criticizing it. So it’s a draw, in consideration of her deeply affected delivery of the words “hain nobah’ees bi(d)neh,” Brown’s bad edits on the pre-chorus, the “infectious” post-disco dance brew and wrinkle-nosed funk at the end.