In a candid revelation that offers rare insight into one of music’s most closely guarded relationships, rapper A$AP Rocky has disclosed that his late mother played matchmaker long before he and global superstar Rihanna became one of entertainment’s most celebrated couples.
Speaking with The New York Times, the 36-year-old rapper—whose real name is Rakim Mayers—recounted how his mother persistently urged him to pursue a romantic relationship with the Barbadian singer, even while he was involved with someone else.
“Rihanna has always been my boo. I always f*cked with her,” Rocky told the publication. “My mother used to say, ‘I know you like this girl that you are with right now, but I want you with Riri.'”
At the time, Rocky insisted to his mother that Rihanna was merely a friend, but his mother remained unconvinced. “My mother would insist that Rihanna is a real one and that I should go for her,” he recalled. “I’m telling you, mothers know best.”
The revelation adds a touching family dimension to a relationship that has captivated fans since the couple went public. Rocky emphasized that the timing of their eventual romance proved crucial, suggesting that an earlier union might have been premature for both parties.
“However, I am thankful that my relationship with Rihanna started when it did,” he reflected. “Because at any time prior to that, I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was, either.”
The pair’s connection dates back to 2013, when Rocky joined Rihanna’s Diamond World Tour as a supporting act. Their friendship spanned years before evolving into romance, with speculation intensifying in early 2020 following Rihanna’s split from Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel after a three-year relationship.
Before finding his way to Rihanna, Rocky had a brief romantic involvement with reality television personality and model Kendall Jenner in 2016, which ended the following year.
Since confirming their relationship, Rocky and Rihanna have built a family together, welcoming their first child in May 2022, a second in August 2023, and, most recently, their third child in 2025. The couple has largely maintained privacy around their children while occasionally sharing glimpses of their family life.
Rocky’s comments underscore the wisdom of maternal intuition and the importance of readiness in relationships—a mother’s foresight that ultimately proved correct as her son found lasting love and family with one of music’s biggest icons.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
A$AP Rocky credits his late mother’s intuition for his relationship with Rihanna, revealing she urged him to pursue the singer years before they got together. Rocky acknowledges the timing was crucial—had they rushed into romance earlier, neither would have been ready for the commitment that has now produced three children and a lasting partnership. The story illustrates how maternal wisdom and patience in love can lead to the right relationship at the right time.
