Rapper A$AP Rocky says his mother played an early and surprising role in his now-high-profile romance with pop superstar Rihanna, revealing she encouraged him to pursue her years before the two became a couple.
During a recent appearance on The New York Times’ “Popcast,” the Harlem-born artist opened up about how his mom’s instincts helped shape the course of his love life.
Mom’s Early Encouragement
Rocky, 37, recalled his mother, Renee Black, urging him to consider Rihanna as more than a friend long before either saw their relationship take a romantic turn.
“My mother used to say s–t 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,’” Rocky told hosts Joe Coscarelli and Jon Caramanica on the podcast.
He admitted he didn’t always understand her message at the time. “Ma, why you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that,” Rocky said, laughing as he described his younger self dismissing his mom’s advice.
Still, the rapper said he gradually came to see the wisdom in her words. “Mothers know best,” he remarked, echoing the sentiment as a tribute to her early intuition.
From Friends to Family
Rocky noted that he and Rihanna were close friends for nearly a decade before becoming romantically involved, with the pair publicly confirming their relationship in late 2020.
“We were on the same page. Born the same year,” he said. “My dad is from her country … it’s funny, we laugh about it a lot.”
The couple now share three children: sons RZA Athelston Mayers and Riot Rose Mayers and daughter Rocki Irish Mayers.
Rocky also reflected on how Rihanna changed his perspective on life and love. “A woman will change your whole life, especially if it’s a companion,” he said, comparing finding the right partner to lifting a blindfold.
The discussion about love and family ties into a bigger moment for Rocky. His long-awaited fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, is set for release Friday, Jan. 16, showcasing his evolving artistry amid personal growth.