Love didn’t strike instantly for A$AP Rocky and Rihanna — but someone close to the rapper always believed it would. Long before the two global superstars officially became a couple, Rocky’s mother had already pictured them together.
The Grammy-nominated rapper, who has been romantically linked with Rihanna since 2019, recently reflected on the early days of their connection during an interview on The New York Times podcast Popcast. In a preview clip released on Jan. 14, Rocky revealed that his mom, Rina “Renee” Black, was quietly rooting for the pairing years before it became reality.
According to Rocky, his mother would often nudge him toward Rihanna, even when he was seeing other people. She’d remind him that while he might be interested in someone else at the moment, she envisioned him ending up with “Riri.” At the time, Rocky brushed it off, insisting they were just friends and jokingly telling his mom to relax — convinced Rihanna didn’t see him that way.
From Creative Chemistry to Something More
Rocky and Rihanna’s bond dates back to the early 2010s, when fans first noticed sparks during their musical collaborations. In 2012, Rocky appeared on a remix of Rihanna’s hit “Cockiness (Love It),” followed by a sultry live performance of the song at the MTV Video Music Awards. A year later, Rihanna starred in Rocky’s stylish “Fashion Killa” music video, and he joined her as an opening act on the Diamonds World Tour.
Despite their undeniable chemistry, the relationship remained firmly in the friend zone for years. Still, Rocky’s mother never wavered in her belief. On Popcast, the rapper joked that moms really do know best, recalling how his mother described Rihanna as “real” — a quality she deeply admired.
Looking back, Rocky admits the timing ultimately worked in their favor. He shared that although Rihanna had always been special to him, neither of them may have been ready earlier in their lives. When things finally aligned, it felt natural and meaningful.
A Family Built on Connection
The couple officially began dating in late 2019, after Rihanna’s previous relationship with Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel ended. Since then, their love story has flourished into a growing family. They now share three children — sons RZA Athleston, 3, and Riot Rose, 2, along with their four-month-old daughter, Rocki Irish.
Rocky has spoken openly about how deeply connected he feels to Rihanna, pointing out their many similarities. Born the same year, with Rocky’s father hailing from Barbados, the couple often laughs about how intertwined their lives feel — even their families overlapping when they visit home.
Rihanna Teases Expanding Their Family
And it seems the family may not be complete just yet. In January, Rihanna subtly hinted at the possibility of having more children. Reacting to an Instagram video joking about choosing between being “hot and sexy” or getting pregnant in 2026, the singer chimed in with a playful comment suggesting she related all too well.
Previously, Rihanna has also shared how motherhood reshaped the way she sees Rocky. In a December 2023 interview, she gushed about watching him step into his role as a father, calling it incredibly attractive and praising his patience, leadership, and devotion. According to her, their children absolutely adore him — and she loves witnessing that bond.
From a mother’s intuition to a modern love story, How A$AP Rocky’s Mom Played Matchmaker in His Romance With Rihanna proves that sometimes the best love stories begin with a little family insight — and a lot of perfect timing.
