It’s safe to say Rihanna and A$AP Rocky both have “Love on the Brain!”
The musical pair were close friends for nearly a decade before their longtime friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship. SincePEOPLE confirmed their relationshipin November 2020, the couplehas been spotted out together frequently,on datesand onvacation together.
In May 2022, PEOPLE confirmed that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky hadwelcomed their first child,RZA Athelston. “Rihanna is doing well,” a source told PEOPLE. “They are very excited to be parents. Rihanna is already a wonderful mom.”
“I don’t think there’s a more perfect person,” A$AP Rocky toldBillboardin August 2024 while talking to the outlet about his “great” relationship with Rihanna. “It’s all understanding and compatibility.”
On Feb. 18, A$AP was foundnot guiltyin hisfelony assault trialfollowing an altercation in 2021.
“The Glory belongs to God and God alone,” Rihanna wrote on her Instagram Stories after a jury reached their verdict.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
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The rapper, born Rakim Mayers, served as the opening act during the North American leg of Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour.
Life imitates art! Seven years before they’d officially become an item, the pals once again proved they’d make a gorgeous pair when they portrayed a couple for the rapper’s"Fashion Killa” music video.
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Fast-forwarding a bit: the longtime pals made a strikingly stylish pair in coordinating black-and-white outfits while sitting front row at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2018 show together during Paris Fashion Week.
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As longtime friends, it came as no surprise to see Rocky on the guestlist for Rihanna’s annual Diamond Ball, which serves as one of fashion’s biggest nights and a fundraiser for herClara Lionel Foundation.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna.Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
According toBillboard, she designed the Fenty tuxedo he wore.
Rocky joined Rihanna’sdebut Fenty Skin campaignin 2020, sending the Internet into yet another tizzy when the pair began doing press to promote the campaign — notably including their"Face to Face” video interviewsforGQandVogue, in which they asked each other rapid-fire questions ranging from what their skin is like to the last thing they bought for under $20.
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A source confirmed that the longtime friendswere officially an itemin November, after months of romance rumors following Rihanna’ssplit from her boyfriendof three years, billionaireHassan Jameel, in January 2020.
The newly-minted couple took aromantic getaway to Rihanna’s native Barbadosfor their first holiday together. A source told PEOPLE at the time that “A$AP joined her [in Barbados] and they are spending Christmas together with Rihanna’s family.”
“They’ve been inseparable the past few weeks,“a source told PEOPLE. “It’s a new relationship, but they both seem very into it.”
The source added, “They’ve always seemed to have a great time together,” continuing, “They have a lot in common.”
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The “Wild for the Night” rapper got candid about his leading lady inGQ’s June/July 2021 cover story, referring to Rihanna asthe “love of my life"and “the one.”
Describing what it’s like to be in a relationship, Rocky said, “So much better. So much better when you got ‘the One.’ She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones.”
He continued, “I think when you know, you know. She’s the One.”
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Speaking about potentially starting a family one day, Rocky toldGQthat it is “in my destiny, absolutely.” He added, “I think I’d be an incredible, remarkably overall amazing dad. I would have a very fly child. Very.”
Previously, Rihanna toldBritish Voguein May 2020 that she wants kids without a doubt.
“I’ll have kids — three or four of ‘em,” said the singer, who added without hesitation that she would raise them as a single mother if there wasn’t a man in her life.
“I feel like society makes me want to feel like, ‘Oh, you got it wrong … ' They diminish you as a mother if there’s nota dad in your kids’ lives,” Rihanna said. “But the only thing that matters is happiness — that’s the only healthy relationship between a parent and a child. That’s the only thing that can raise a child, truly, is love.”
ASAP Rocky and Rihanna.Mike Coppola/Getty
The pair picked fashion’s biggest night to make theirred carpet debut, dressing in coordinated looks for the event.
Rihanna arrived in an oversized black sculptural coat dress, while A$AP complimented her with a pop of color in a quilted blanket look.
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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky appeared on the red carpet together at theFenty Beauty Universe Eventin Los Angeles on Feb. 11, 2022. The couple coordinated in purple and green, which, according to Rihanna, was unplanned. “That always happens with us,” she told PEOPLE at the event. “We get dressed in completely separate [areas] across the house, and we leave looking coordinated somehow.”
That following weekend the singer and rappersurprised a group of shoppersat Rihanna’sSavage X Fenty storeat theWestfield Culver Citymall. The L.A. brick-and-mortar retail store was one of the first to open in early 2022. The couple posed for pictures in front of mannequins which featured lingerie pieces from Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty’s Valentine’s Day collection.
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The couple ate at Craig’s restaurant in West Hollywood, Calif. A source told PEOPLE they “had an early dinner … and left around 8.” The insider also noted the mom and dad-to-be “held hands a lot and looked really happy.”
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The video was shot in the style of a vintage video montage. By the end, Rihanna is wearing a red veil and dress at what appears to be a wedding ceremony. “I was lost then, but I found you/I was slim thick with a bounce too,” Rocky raps. “It’s your tough love that I’m bound to/I f— it up, then it’s round two.”
On May 19, PEOPLE confirmed thecouple welcomed their first childtogether.
“Rihanna is doing well,” said the source. “They are very excited to be parents. Rihanna is already a wonderful mom.”
A$AP Rockyopened up about fatherhoodtoDazedmagazine just a few weeks after Rihanna gave birth to their first child. In an interview published on May 30, 2022, Rocky shared how he hopes to raise his kids and the type of father he plans to be.
“I will always remind my children to never lose their imagination, even as adults, no matter what,” Rocky said. He added that he hopes to “raise open-minded children” and “not people who discriminate.” He continued, “And I’m not trying to describe a saint, but realistically, I just want a cool child with cool parents.”
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were photographedgoing out in New York City. The two looked comfortable and casual, with Rihanna in a blue No. 99 football jersey and Rocky wearing a white T-shirt and blue patterned pants.
The couple’s evening outing followed Rocky’s Aug. 17 court appearance, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm during a November 2021 incident in Los Angeles.
Rihanna joined A$AP Rocky at a Mercer & Prince event, celebrating the rapper’snew whiskey line. The singer wore a chic black dress and a diamond necklace while Rocky switched between a white tee and a multicolor crewneck.
Clips of the famous couple at the event gained plenty of attention on Twitter, includinga videoof Rocky putting his arm around Rihanna as she whispers into his ear.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were photographed heading to the Olivetta restaurant in West Hollywood to celebrate the rapper’s34th birthdaya day early.
For the outing, Rihanna wore a ruched black gown with a slit on the left leg, which she paired with an oversized leather jacket. Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky was seen in a black suit and tie.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky walked the red carpet atthe premiereof Marvel’sBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. Rihanna’s single, “Lift Me Up,” appears on the soundtrack of the Marvel sequel.
The songstress wore a strapless greenRick Owensdress to the event, which she accessorized with a pair of long gloves. Meanwhile, Rocky looked casual look in an oversized khaki jacket and matching pants. The couple posed for photographers with their arms wrapped around each other.
In September 2022, Rihanna was announced as the headliner for the2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
TheLove on the Brainsinger went on to gush about her partner and their rock-solid relationship.
“It’s amazing to have a friendship be the center of our entire family. I really love it,” Rihanna said.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.Christopher Polk/NBC via Getty
During an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, A$AP Rocky gushed about the mother of his child.
“I’m so glad that my lady’s back making music again and whatnot, and getting back out there. It’s just incredible,” he said.
The rapper went on to talk about Rihanna’s highly anticipated 2023 Super Bowl Halftime performance.
“The Super Bowl is huge, and her being the creative she is, she going to bring it, man. I’m excited.I’m more excited than everybody else, honestly,” A$AP said.
A$AP was also on the sidelines during Rihanna’s performance and was seen filming his girlfriend and singing along.
The couple, along with a few family and friends, celebrated the “Umbrella” singer’s birthday with aprivate dinner at Giorgio Baldiin Santa Monica, California. A source told PEOPLE that Rihanna and her guests had the entire restaurant to themselves.
“Rihanna looked gorgeous and was in the best mood,” the insider said, adding that the pop star and A$AP “were very affectionate” throughout the evening.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna at the 2023 Met Gala.John Shearer/WireImage
As for the “Fashion Killa” rapper, he wore a kilt over a pair of denim, a crisp white dress shirt and a black suit jacket.
Whether it’s music or merchandise, A$AP is “always down to collab” with Rihanna.
“She’s a phenomenal creative. Yeah, there’s a lot of things we’re going to collaborate on, from products for children, there’s a lot of things to look forward to,” he toldComplex.
In August 2023, sources confirmed to PEOPLE thatRihanna and A$AP Rocky had welcomed their second child together, son Riot Rose Mayers. He was born on Aug. 1.
“Rihanna feels herfamily is now complete,” an insider told PEOPLE. “It’s something she’s always wanted.”
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The proud parentsreleased adorable picturesof their family of four in September. It was the first time Rihanna and A$AP shared photos of Riot.
According to Rihanna, Riot and RZA are “obsessed” with their dad.“I love him differently as a dad.It’s a turn on,” she toldPage Six, adding that Rocky is a “great, patient, loving” father.
The couple was photographedleaving Veniceafter celebrating Rihanna’s 36th birthday. In the pictures, Rihanna and Rocky huddle together under an umbrella, smiling and holding hands.
Earlier in their trip, the pair were seenenjoying a romantic boat rideon the Grand Canal, where they were photographed kissing and laughing.
To promote their first Fenty collab, a lip balm called Fenty Skin Lux Balm,Rihanna and Rocky costarredin an almost two-minute long short film calledBorn to Steal: Yours, Mine, Ours.
In the video, Rihanna plays a woman who steals from her lover, Rocky, who is in turn determined to find the thief.
Rihanna and A$AP in 2024.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
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A$AP is accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at his former friend A$AP Relli during an altercation in November 2021. He turned down a plea deal in favor of a jury trial and faces up to 24 years in prison if found guilty.
The trial began on Jan. 24 and Rihanna was seen on Jan. 29 sitting in the front row of the courtroom’s gallery between A$AP’s mom and sister. She was dressed in all black.
A jury acquitted A$AP in his felony assault trial. When he heard the “not guilty,” verdict, the rapper jumped over the seating area barrier to hug his mother, sister and Rihanna.
“Thank y’all for saving my life. Thank y’all for making the right decision,” A$AP said to the jury.
source: people.com