Manny Ita
A$AP Rocky has revealed that his relationship with Rihanna was encouraged years in advance by his mother, Renee Black, in an interview that has gained widespread attention on social media. The rapper made the comments during an appearance on the New York Times’ “Popcast” on Thursday, January 15, 2026, where he reflected on the early stages of his friendship with Rihanna and the role his mother played in urging him toward a romantic relationship.
Rocky said his mother repeatedly encouraged him to pursue Rihanna nearly a decade before they eventually began dating, even while he was involved with other partners. Recalling her advice, he said she would tell him, “I know you like this girl that you’re with right now… but I want you with Riri. I’m telling you, she real.” According to Rocky, his mother was convinced the singer was the right person for him long before he believed it himself.
At the time, Rocky said he dismissed the idea, insisting the relationship was unlikely. He recalled responding to his mother by saying, “Ma, why you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that. Like be cool, Ma. That’s just my friend. Chill.” He explained that he viewed Rihanna strictly as a close friend and did not initially see a romantic future between them.
Reflecting on their eventual relationship, Rocky described being with Rihanna as a moment of clarity that reshaped his outlook on life. He said finding a partner like her felt like having a “blindfold” removed, crediting her with changing his perspective on loyalty, priorities and the people he keeps around him. He also noted that, despite his mother’s early encouragement, he is thankful the relationship did not begin sooner, explaining that neither he nor Rihanna was emotionally prepared for a serious, family-oriented partnership in their early twenties.
The interview has since gone viral, sparking online discussion and a wave of commentary celebrating parental intuition, with many users on X and TikTok referencing the idea that “mothers know best.” Fans have also highlighted personal and cultural connections mentioned by Rocky, including the fact that both he and Rihanna were born in 1988 and that Rocky’s father is from Barbados, Rihanna’s home country.
Rocky and Rihanna have been publicly together since 2020 and are now parents to three children: RZA, born in 2022; Riot, born in 2023; and Rocki, born in September 2025. The couple has continued to attract attention following a recent Instagram post by Rihanna in which she hinted that she may be considering a fourth child in 2026, fueling further speculation about the family’s future.
