A$AP Rocky Shares Mom’s Matchmaking Advice on Rihanna

A$AP Rocky shared personal insights with NYT about his relationship with Rihanna. He revealed how his mother’s early intuition unexpectedly contributed to his now-famous relationship with Rihanna.

He said she had pushed him to pursue the singer long before they started dating.

According to him, his mother frequently pushed him to think about dating Rihanna, despite his insistence that they were simply friends. “Mom, why do you keep saying that?” Rocky remembered asking her. “That girl don’t even want me like that”. He now admits that her intuition was correct, even if he dismissed it at the time.

He mentioned he and Rihanna had been friends for many years before they started their affair. After that, their connection grew rapidly. Rocky has said in interviews that his relationship with Rihanna “reconnected” after years of mutual admiration, describing it as a natural development over time.

The pair has since started a family together. In May 2022, they welcomed a boy, RZA Athelston Mayers; in August 2023, they welcomed a second son, Riot Rose Mayers. Rocki Irish Mayers, Rihanna’s first daughter, was born in September 2025.

In recent interviews, Rocky spoke lovingly about being a father, offering insights into his kids’ personalities.

In terms of his career, Rocky is getting ready to release his album Don’t Be Dumb on January 16. His anticipated album marks his first full-length release since 2018’s Testing. It features standout tracks like Order of Protection, Stole Ya Flow, and a skit titled Interrogation. It includes collaborations with Black Demarco on Air Force and production from heavyweights Mike Dean, Pharrell, and Madlib.

The project has already shattered Spotify records with over 1 million pre-saves, surpassing pre-save numbers for Drake and Kendrick Lamar. It has sparked major fan excitement, with exclusive vinyl editions through AWGE selling out rapidly.

After delays due to leaks and clearances, Rocky is set to perform live on Amazon Music on January 18, cementing the release as one of the most anticipated rap events of the year.