"Mothers Know Best": A$AP Rocky Reveals His Mom Was "Team Riri" Years Before They Dated
"Mothers Know Best": A$AP Rocky Reveals His Mom Was "Team Riri" Years Before They Dated
It turns out the biggest "Shipper" of music’s ultimate power couple wasn't a fan on Twitter, it was Renee Black, A$AP Rocky’s mother.
In a candid and heartwarming interview on The New York Times Popcast released today, A$AP Rocky revealed that his mother was championing a romance with Rihanna long before the two transitioned from friends to life partners. According to the Harlem rapper, his mother saw a "special" connection between them that he wasn't quite ready to admit to himself.
The Maternal Manifestation
During the sit-down, Rocky—born Rakim Mayers—recalled how his mother would frequently "badger" him about his close friendship with the Barbadian superstar, even while he was in other high-profile relationships.
“My mother used to say s*** 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 said with a laugh. “I used to be like, ‘Ma, why you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that. Be cool, she’s just my friend. Chill.’”
Rocky admitted that at the time, he brushed it off as typical "mom talk," convinced that he was firmly in the friend zone. However, looking back at their relationship now—which includes three children and a decade of history—he keeps it simple: “Mothers know best.”
A Match Made in Barbados
Rocky noted that his mother’s intuition likely stemmed from how many parallels existed between the two stars. Beyond being born in the same year (1988), the couple shares deep Caribbean roots.
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Shared Heritage: Rocky’s father was from Barbados, the same country where Rihanna was born and raised.
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Family Ties: Rocky mentioned that when they return to the island now, he gets to visit "both sides" of his family, creating a cultural bond that he says they "laugh about a lot."
Divine Timing
Despite his mother's early encouragement, the "Sundress" artist expressed gratitude that the romance didn't spark any earlier than it did. The couple officially confirmed their relationship in late 2020 after nearly ten years of friendship.
“I’m thankful that she was put in my life at that time,” Rocky reflected. “Because I think anytime prior to that... I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was either.”
The "Fenty" Family Expansion
The interview comes as the couple continues to dominate the cultural zeitgeist. Since they began dating, they have welcomed three children: RZA Athelston (5), Riot Rose (2), and their four-month-old daughter, Rocki Irish.
With Rocky set to release his highly anticipated fourth album, Don’t Be Dumb, today, and Rihanna recently hinting on social media that she might be considering "baby number four" in 2026, it seems Renee Black’s vision for her son wasn't just accurate, it was the blueprint for a dynasty.
