American rapper A$AP Rocky has revealed that his mother had long hoped he would end up with global music star Rihanna, even advising him to leave a former girlfriend to pursue the Barbadian singer.
Rocky made the disclosure during an interview with The New York Times, where he reflected on how his relationship with Rihanna evolved over time.
According to him, they were initially just close friends, and he had no intention of taking things further at the time despite his mother’s encouragement.
He explained that he is now grateful he did not rush into a romantic relationship with Rihanna earlier, noting that neither of them was ready for commitment or family life back then.
“Rihanna has always been my boo. I’ve always f*cked with her,” Rocky said. “My mom used to tell me, ‘I know you like the girl you’re with right now, but I want you with Riri.’ I’d say, ‘She’s just my friend.’ But my mother kept insisting that Rihanna was the real deal. Mothers really do know best.”
The rapper added that timing played a crucial role in the success of their relationship. “I’m thankful that my relationship with Rihanna started when it did. Because at anytime prior to that, I don’t think I was ready for something like that and I don’t think she was, either,” he said.
Rocky and Rihanna’s bond grew stronger after he joined her Diamond Tour in 2013. Although they remained friends for years, speculation about their romance began shortly after Rihanna ended her relationship with Saudi billionaire Hassan Jameel in January 2020.
Before his relationship with Rihanna, Rocky was romantically linked to model Kendall Jenner between 2016 and 2017.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcomed their first child in 2022, their second in 2023, and their third in 2025, solidifying their status as one of the entertainment industry’s most high-profile couples.
