ap - Rihanna, left, and Chris Brown are seen at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday June 1.

Bangshowbiz

Chris Brown has admitted his relationship with Rihanna is "growing".

Chris has opened up about his blossoming romance with the 'Umbrella' singer, revealing his mother Joyce has bonded with 20-year-old Rihanna.

Chris said: "Our relationship is growing. We started off as friends and we're getting a little bit closer now. My mom is real cool about it all. They both have light skin with green eyes, so.

"But I don't want to let down all my girlfriends, so all the ladies out there, I still love y'all!"

The 19-year-old singer - who was spotted kissing Rihanna in a fast food restaurant last month - dismissed claims they were "friends with benefits", insisting that would make their relationship sound "cheap".

Chris also says he hopes to emulate his heroes Prince and Michael Jackson by experimenting with a different musical direction for his new album 'Graffiti'.

He added to US radio show host Russ Parr: "I wanted to change it up and really be different. Like my style nowadays, I don't try to be typical urban. I want to be like how Prince and Michael and Stevie Wonder were. They can cross over to any genre of music."