We’re used to seeing Rihanna openly gush about the father of her three kids, A$AP Rocky. And while the rapper makes his love just as loud, he’s doing it again, this time giving credit where it all started. According to Rocky, it was his mother who first encouraged him to pursue the woman who would later become the love of his life.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Rocky took it back to the early days, revealing that his mom, Renee Black, always saw something he didn’t see clearly. The Harlem native shared how his mother would consistently push him toward RiRi.
“I know you like this girl that you’re with right now… but I want you with Riri. I’m telling you she real,” she once told him. Rocky admitted he didn’t see the vision at first and even questioned his mom’s confidence. “Mom why you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that.” Looking back now, he can laugh, but it’s clear she was calling it way before the rest of the world caught on.
As the conversation continued, Rocky got reflective about how deeply his relationship with Rihanna has impacted him. “A woman will change your whole life especially if she’s a companion,” Rocky said during the conversation. He went on to describe loving Rihanna as “taking a blindfold off,” hinting that being with her brought clarity, growth, and a new way of seeing both himself and the world around him.
Of course, Rihanna has echoed that same energy in past interviews. She’s spoken openly about how Rocky feels like home, calling him her best friend and praising how intentional, present, and hands-on he is as a partner and a father. She’s also shared that their bond works because it’s rooted in friendship, trust, and mutual respect, not industry hype or public pressure. In her words, being with Rocky feels natural, grounded, and safe, a sharp contrast to some of her earlier relationships.
Now, with love locked in and life moving forward, Rocky is also focused on business. The rapper is currently on a press run for his upcoming project Don’t Be Dumb, set to drop January 16. Between family life and new music, it’s clear Rocky is standing firmly in his purpose — and, as his mom predicted, right beside Rihanna.