Rihanna [1] and A$AP Rocky are the definition of friends-turned-lovers, and their years-long romance has been sweet to witness. The pair have been together since November 2020 [2], but fans had been obsessed with the idea of them being a couple long before then.
The Savage X Fenty [3] creator and rapper started out as longtime friends, working together as musical collaborators in the early 2010s, but they weren't romantically linked [4] until almost a decade later. However, over the last year, their relationship took quite a turn after the two became first-time parents and welcomed their first child together [5], a son, in May 2022.
In her May 2022 Vogue cover story [6], Rihanna [7] joked about her friendship-turned-romance with Rocky and said, "People don't get out of the friend zone very easily with me," adding, "And I certainly took a while to get over how much I know him and how much he knows me, because we also know how much trouble we can land each other in." Case in point: the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards when Rocky joined Rihanna onstage for a performance of her single "Cockiness" — a moment in which he also playfully grabbed her backside in front of the entire world.
"That was not part of the rehearsal!" Rihanna exclaimed to Vogue. "I was like, 'What are you doing!?' My manager was like, Oh, God, she must like this guy a little bit. She never lets this sh*t slide." Turns out, Rihanna liked Rocky a whole lot, because, in the same interview, she also said, "I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side."
It seems she's staying true to her word because the singer is now expecting her second child [8], a surprise that she unveiled during her iconic 2023 Super Bowl halftime show performance [9], where her beau cheered her on from the sidelines [10]. Amidst the great news, let's take a look back at Rihanna and Rocky's romantic journey over the years.
2011: Rihanna and A$AP Collaborate Together
Rihanna [12] and A$AP's relationship traces all the way back to 2011 when the two collaborated for a remix of Rihanna's song "Cockiness (Love It)" [13] off her album "Talk That Talk." The following year, in 2012, they performed the song at the MTV Video Music Awards, and the sparks were already flying!
2013: Rihanna and A$AP Go on Tour Together
Following their collaboration, A$AP joined Rihanna [14] on the North American portion of her Diamonds World Tour in 2013. That same year, Rihanna was featured in A$AP's "Fashion Killa" music video [15] as the main love interest.
2013-2018: The Pair are Subject to Heavy Dating Rumours
For the greater portion of five years, rumours of Rihanna [16] and A$AP dating constantly circulated in the media, despite the two having well-documented romances with other people. Rihanna dated businessman Hassan Jameel [17] from 2017 until their split in 2020. A$AP, on the other hand, was linked with a few different people [18], including Kendall Jenner [19].
June 2018: Rihanna and A$AP are Spotted at Paris Fashion Week
Despite being in a relationship with Jameel at the time, buzz around Rihanna [20] and A$AP's relationship started circulating when the pair were seen close together at the Louis Vuitton Runway Show at Paris Fashion Week [21] in 2018.
2019-2020: The Pair Make More Public Appearances Together
Following their appearance at Paris Fashion Week, the two began to appear together at more public outings. In September 2019, A$AP was seen at Rihanna's Diamond Ball [22], and just three months later, the pair attended the British Fashion Awards together [23] in London. There was no reason to believe their quality time together was anything more than friendly. Still, in January 2020, Rihanna [24] and Hassan Jameel broke up, though it had nothing to do with A$AP.
August 2020: Rihanna and A$AP Collaborate for Fenty Skin
In August 2020, A$AP joined Rihanna [25] in a photoshoot for her new release of Fenty Skin. While promoting the skincare, the pair had joint video interviews [26] with "GQ" and "Vogue [27]," and their chemistry was strong, leaving many to wonder if and when they would start dating.
November 2020: The Relationship is Confirmed
After what seemed like an eternity for fans wanting the pair to get together, "People" reported that Rihanna and A$AP were in a relationship [28]. A source told Us Weekly that "A$AP has been very into Rihanna for years," [29] and "was always the instigator" when the two would flirt.
May 2021: A$AP Opens Up About Rihanna in GQ
Following a few months of dating and public outings, A$AP opened up to "GQ" about his relationship with Rihanna [30], and couldn't stop gushing over his GF. In the interview, he said Rihanna was his "lady" and "love of his life. [31]" When asked about the seriousness of their bond and if she was "the one," A$AP said, "She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones. I think when you know, you know. She's the One." Is someone chopping onions, or is it me?
September 2021: Met Gala Official
After several months of dating, A$AP and Rihanna [32] stole the show together at the Met Gala [33], looking elated and totally in love.
31 Jan., 2022: Baby on Board
Just when you thought you couldn't be more obsessed with A$AP and Rihanna [34] as a couple, on 31 Jan., 2022, "People" reported that the pair were expecting [35] following Rihanna [36]'s public appearance with a baby bump in New York City the previous weekend.
13 May, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcome Their First Child Together
Nearly four months after announcing that they were expecting their first child, multiple reports confirmed that Rihanna [37] and Rocky welcomed their little one [38], a baby boy [39] whose name has still not been revealed, on 13 May. "They have not left each other's side," a source told Entertainment Tonight [40] at the time. "They are over the moon. She's been looking forward to motherhood [41] for a long time. This little boy is going to have the best baby fashion."
October 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Walk Their First Red Carpet as Parents
On 26 Oct., 2022, after multiple outings together since the birth of their son, Rihanna [42] and Rocky stepped out for their first big Hollywood event as parents [43], attending the star-studded Los Angeles premiere of "Black Panther [44]: Wakanda Forever" — which Rihanna [45] contributed her Golden Globe [46] and Oscar-nominated original song [47], "Lift Me Up [48]."
January 2023: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Attend the 2023 Golden Globe Awards
In celebration of her nominated song, Rihanna [49] and Rocky attended the 2023 Golden Globe Awards together [50], making a grand appearance in matching all-Black outfits.
12 Feb., 2023: Rihanna Announces She's Expecting Baby No. 2
Rihanna [51] took baby reveals to the next level during the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show [52], where she not-so-subtly revealed a small bump [53] while running through her many iconic hits [54] on stage, with her beau Rocky close by filming and cheering her on. Though Rihanna [55]'s rep did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR's request for comment, they later confirmed to multiple outlets after her performance that she's, indeed, expecting her second child.