Singers Chris Brown and popstar girlfriend Rihanna, roiled in controversy for the savage beating Brown allegedly inflicted on her last month, have a recorded a duet, a report said.

The pair recently recorded a "sweet and sentimental" track that "expresses the challenges of a love relationship," according to the entertainment magazine People, citing people close to the matter.

Brown, 19, appeared in court March 5 for arraignment on assault charges that came after he allegedly subjected Barbados-born "Umbrella" singer Rihanna to the beating in the early hours of February 8.

The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles later that day.

Brown is charged with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats.

The new duet's producer, Polow Da Don, told the magazine that his "heart goes out to both Chris and Rihanna for what has happened in the past."

Brown had issued an apology for the incident on February 15, saying he was "sorry and saddened" by the events and that he was seeking the counseling of his pastor, family and friends.

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," Brown said in the statement.

Speculation mounted over whether Brown would face charges over the incident after he and Rihanna reportedly reconciled days before his court hearing.