At a Glance
- A$AP Rocky says his mother urged him to pursue Rihanna long before they dated
- The couple were close friends for nearly a decade before News Of Losangeles confirmed their relationship in November 2020
- They now share three children: sons RZA Athelston, 5½, and Riot Rose, 2, plus 4-month-old daughter Rocki Irish
- Why it matters: The rapper credits timing and maternal instinct for setting up one of music’s most high-profile partnerships
A$AP Rocky has revealed that his mother spotted Rihanna as his ideal match years before the two artists became a couple, calling the singer “a very special woman” in a new interview timed to Friday’s album release.
Mother’s Intuition
Speaking on the New York Times Popcast published Thursday, Jan. 15, the 37-year-old rapper recalled frequent conversations with his mom about his romantic life.
“My mother used to say s— like, ‘I know you like this girl that you [are] with right now’ – I ain’t gon’ say no names – ‘but I want you with RiRi,'” he told hosts. “It’s like, ‘Ma, why you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that.'”
The hip-hop star said the maternal advice continued until he realized “mothers know best.”
Shared History
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna built a close friendship over nearly ten years before taking a romantic turn. After News Of Losangeles confirmed their coupling in November 2020, the pair quickly expanded their family.
Their children:
- RZA Athelston, 5½
- Riot Rose, 2
- Rocki Irish, 4 months
The rapper credits timing for their eventual success as a couple, noting that earlier in life neither was ready for the commitment.
“I’m thankful that [Rihanna] was put in my life at that time because any time prior to that I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was either,” he said.
Cosmic Alignment
Beyond maternal matchmaking, A$AP Rocky listed multiple coincidences that bonded the pair:
- Both were born in 1988
- His father hails from Barbados, Rihanna’s home country
- Regular family visits let them “see both sides of my family”
“We were on the same page. It’s so many similarities, it’s just funny. We laugh about it a lot,” he explained.
Co-host Joe Coscarelli highlighted that the musician “didn’t just get with any girl,” prompting A$AP Rocky to reply, “I got with a very special woman.”
Life Changes
The rapper described how a committed relationship shifted his outlook long before children entered the picture.
“A woman will change your whole life, especially if it’s a companion,” he said. “Before I had my children, it was like being with my girl [would take] a blindfold off.”
He joked about the classic partner dynamic of spotting false friends: “As soon as you get with a girl, she’ll tell you, like, ‘That’s not your friend. That’s – that’s your friend. But that one? Nah.'”
Career Milestone
The personal revelations arrive on the eve of his fourth studio album, “Don’t Be Dumb”, scheduled for release Friday, Jan. 16. The project marks his first full-length drop since 2018’s “Testing,” with fans anticipating references to family life and his high-profile relationship.
Timeline of Their Journey
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| ~2010 | Close friendship begins |
| Nov 2020 | News Of Losangeles confirms romance |
| May 2022 | Birth of son RZA |
| Aug 2023 | Birth of son Riot |
| Sept 2025 | Birth of daughter Rocki |
| Jan 2026 | A$AP Rocky album release |
Key Takeaways
- A$AP Rocky’s mother repeatedly urged him to pursue Rihanna before they dated
- The couple’s decade-long friendship laid groundwork for romance confirmed in late 2020
- Shared heritage and birth year add personal resonance to their bond
- Three children later, the rapper credits perfect timing and maternal foresight for the relationship’s success
