The Unveiled Romance: Inside Rihanna and ASAP Rocky's Relationship Journey

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have long been insistent that their relationship is purely platonic, but that all changed in 2021 when the rapper publicly declared her as "the love of my life."

After enduring over a year of speculation, the "Peso" artist finally confirmed in a May interview with GQ that he and the Fenty Beauty founder were indeed dating, going as far as to call her "The One." A month prior to this revelation, eyewitnesses reported seeing the couple "holding hands and laughing" while on a night out in Los Angeles.

"They clearly share a deep connection and have a strong friendship," the source commented. "They have a playful dynamic, constantly joking and enjoying each other's company. They frequently have private date nights and always have a great time when they hang out together."

In December 2019, the couple made their first appearance on the red carpet at the Fashion Awards in London. This was shortly after Rihanna's split from her previous boyfriend, Hassan Jameel, whom she had been dating since 2017.

In February 2020, a source informed Us that Rihanna and A$AP were spending time together and getting romantically involved. Their interactions have always been filled with chemistry, and they are currently enjoying each other's company. The speculation about a possible romantic connection between the two musicians began back in 2012, when they had a flirtatious performance at the MTV Video Music Awards and A$AP contributed to a remix of Rihanna's song "Cockiness (Love It)."

A few months later, the musician from New York paid homage to his friend in his track "Fashion Killa" from his album Long. Live. A$AP., released in January 2013. However, by February, he was romantically linked to model Chanel Iman. The couple announced their engagement in April 2014 but ultimately ended their relationship in October of the same year.

Meanwhile, Rihanna was involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with Drake, which lasted from 2009 to 2016. They collaborated on multiple songs together, such as "Work" from her 2016 album Anti and "Too Good" from his album Views in the same year. However, they finally decided to part ways for good in October of that year.

According to a source, "She has no desire to be in a committed relationship." Another insider mentioned that they will always maintain a close bond. Although there is a possibility of them getting back together in the future, it is not happening at the moment.

Furthermore, it seems that in 2021, the Ocean's 8 star is still going strong with A$AP. As per a source in December 2020, A$AP has been interested in Rihanna for a long time. Initially, Rihanna kept him in the friend zone, but their dynamic changed during the summer and they have been together ever since.

Keep scrolling to take a look back at Rihanna and A$AP’s complete relationship timeline:

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Rihanna and ASAP Rocky: A Complete Timeline of Their Relationship

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have long dismissed any romantic involvement between them, but that all changed in 2021 when the rapper publicly referred to her as "the love of my life". Confirming their relationship in a May interview with GQ, the "Peso" artist expressed that he was dating the Fenty Beauty founder and considered her to be "The One". Prior to this confirmation, eyewitnesses had already spotted the couple displaying affection, as they were seen "holding hands and laughing" during a night out in Los Angeles.

"They clearly share a deep connection as a couple and have also formed a strong bond as best friends," the source revealed. "They enjoy playful banter and laughter, often spending quality time together on private date nights and thoroughly enjoying each other's company."

In December 2019, the pair made their first public appearance as a couple on the red carpet at the Fashion Awards in London. Prior to this, Rihanna had recently ended her relationship with ex-boyfriend Hassan Jameel, whom she had been linked to since 2017.

Rihanna and A$AP have been spending time together and getting closer, according to a source. They are enjoying each other's company and have always had a strong connection. This speculation about their romantic relationship began back in 2012 when they collaborated on a playful performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, and A$AP even joined Rihanna for a remix of her song "Cockiness (Love It)."

A few months later, the artist paid tribute to his friend in his song "Fashion Killa" from his January 2013 album, Long. Live. A$AP. However, by February, he was romantically linked to model Chanel Iman. The couple got engaged in April 2014 but ultimately ended their relationship in October of the same year.

On the other hand, Rihanna was involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with Drake from 2009 to 2016. They collaborated on several songs together, including "Work" from her 2016 album, Anti, and "Too Good" from his 2016 LP, Views. Unfortunately, their relationship came to an end in October of that year.

According to a source, Rihanna is not interested in being tied down and wants her independence. Another insider mentioned that they will always have a close bond, and while there is a possibility of them being together in the future, it is not happening at the moment.

Furthermore, it appears that in 2021, Rihanna is still going strong with A$AP. A source revealed in December 2020 that A$AP has had a strong attraction to Rihanna for a long time. Initially, Rihanna considered him as a friend, but their relationship took a turn over the summer, and they have been together ever since.

Keep scrolling to take a look back at Rihanna and A$AP's complete relationship timeline:

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September 2012

The pair made their professional debut at the MTV VMAs, where they performed a remix of Rihanna's song "Cockiness (Love It)."

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December 2012

After A$AP's father died, the Barbadian pop star offered him her sympathy via Twitter. "My most sincere condolences bro," she wrote, adding the hashtag, "#BajanBlood."

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March 2013

The rapper joined Rihanna as an opening act on her Diamonds world tour from March to May and again for a handful of dates in October and November.

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September 2013

The Battleship actress appeared in A$AP's music video for "Fashion Killa." The song included the line, "Her attitude Rihanna, she get it from her mama."

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May 2015

During an interview with NYC radio station Hot 97, the rapper adamantly denied ever being involved in a romantic relationship with his colleague. He confidently stated, "That is simply not true. If there was any truth to it, it would have happened naturally. However, that is not what I desire. I value the existing friendships I have with all these incredible women and that is what I cherish."

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June 2018

The pair sat together in the front row at Virgil Abloh's debut show for Louis Vuitton.

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A$AP made an appearance at the Diamond Ball hosted by Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation, which is dedicated to her grandparents. The foundation supports educational projects and aids in the response to natural disasters in the Caribbean.

September 2018

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September 2019

The rapper attended the fifth annual edition of the Diamond Ball.

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December 2019

The pair made a stunning red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards, sparking romance rumors once again after their many years of friendship.

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Us confirmed that Rihanna ended her relationship with Jameel after being together for nearly three years. In the following month, the "Pour It Up" singer was seen attending a concert in memory of A$AP Yams, a close friend of A$AP, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 2015.

Credit: Courtesy of Fenty Skin

July 2020

A$AP joined forces with Lil Nas X in a promotional campaign for Rihanna's Fenty Skin collection. Showing her support, the beauty icon shared an Instagram post featuring a picture of herself alongside the talented "F—kin' Problems" artist, stating, "That's right baby...@fentyskin is also designed for men!"

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August 2020

During their interview for Vogue and GQ, the duo discussed the beauty industry. A$AP humorously expressed the difficulty of not constantly laughing and goofing off while working together, describing their dynamic as comedic. He emphasized their strong bond and coolness, making it challenging to maintain a serious tone.

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December 2020

The couple celebrated Christmas together on a private yacht in Rihanna's native Barbados. Earlier in the month, they were spotted together at NYC's Beatrice Inn.

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January 2021

In a photo posted via Instagram, the "Needed Me" singer wore a pair of $1,860 sandals designed by A$AP in collaboration with Amina Muaddi.

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April 2021

The duo headed to Delilah in L.A. for dinner — and both chose head-to-toe leather for the outing.  

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May 2021

“So much better when you got The One," the rapper told GQ. "She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones. ... I think when you know, you know. She's The One.”

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June 2021

During the premiere of his documentary Stockholm Syndrome at the Tribeca Film Festival, A$AP expressed his gratitude for his girlfriend's support, highlighting how truly blessed he felt. He also excitedly shared that the film features a cameo appearance by none other than Rihanna.

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July 2021

The pair were captured in intimate moments, clasping hands and embracing each other during the filming of a yet-to-be-named project in the Bronx. In the photographs, the rapper sported a sleek all-black ensemble and a baseball cap, while the "Consideration" singer looked stunning in a snakeskin bustier and a stylish leather coat.

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June 2021

The pair enjoyed a night out together at Barcade in New York City on June 23. In photos of their date night, they were spotted packing on the PDA while playing video games.

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July 2021

The couple posed at Miami’s The World Famous House of Mac restaurant during a date night on Friday, July 23.

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"These two individuals are deeply enamored with each other, and indeed, there is a significant amount of excitement within their social circle regarding the possibility of an engagement," relayed an insider. The same source emphasized that the couple readily express their intense emotions to their friends, underscoring that their bond surpasses any previous connections they have encountered and that they envision a lifelong commitment with one another.

August 2021

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September 2021

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made their Met Gala debut as a couple, wearing coordinating oversized jackets and all-black ensembles.

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January 2022

After much speculation, Rihanna finally put an end to rumors by announcing her pregnancy while strolling through the streets of New York City. The Fenty business tycoon proudly displayed her blossoming baby bump, donning a stylishly unbuttoned pink jacket.

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"People find it difficult to escape the friend zone when it comes to me," Rihanna shared with Vogue during her May 2022 cover story, reflecting on the initial stages of her relationship with the rapper. "It took me a considerable amount of time to move on from the deep understanding we had of each other, as well as the awareness of the trouble we could potentially cause one another."

April 2022

During their performance at the 2012 VMAs, Rihanna reminisced about an unexpected incident where her ass was grabbed on stage, catching her off guard. She expressed her confusion and questioned the actions of her partner at the time. However, this incident seemed to suggest to her manager that she had some level of affection for him, as she wouldn't typically tolerate such behavior.

As the coronavirus pandemic took hold, the couple's relationship grew more serious, particularly during a road trip they took together across the country. Rihanna shared that he became like family to her during that time. Additionally, they visited her family in Barbados, where her mother, who has a keen sense of judgment, was charmed by him right from the beginning. This was significant, as there have been past partners whom her mother still refuses to acknowledge.

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April 2022

Fenty designer Amina Muaddi has denied the rumors about her alleged affair with A$AP Rocky during Rihanna's pregnancy. Dismissing the unfounded lie spread on social media, Muaddi expressed her belief that such malicious gossip does not warrant a response or clarification. However, she acknowledged that in today's society, there is a tendency to quickly discuss and speculate on various topics, irrespective of their factual basis. Muaddi emphasized that these false accusations not only targeted her but also affected individuals whom she deeply respects and cares for, including Rihanna, her boss at Fenty. Considering the significance of this period in one's life, Muaddi felt compelled to address the situation and defend herself and those involved.

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Rihanna made a special appearance in Rocky's music video for the song "D.M.B.," which stands for "Dat's My Bitch." One memorable scene featured the duo participating in a wedding ceremony, where they both sported matching grills. Rocky's grill had the words "Marry me?" while Rihanna's grill read "I do."

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May 2022

An insider confirmed to Us that the duo welcomed their first child, a baby boy, in Los Angeles. 

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May 2022

According to a source, Rihanna and ASAP are maintaining their strong bond as a couple, even after the birth of their son following Rocky's arrest. The source mentioned that their love for each other remains unchanged, and Rihanna continues to provide unwavering support to Rocky regardless of the circumstances. They are determined to navigate through his legal battle together and emerge even stronger than before.

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Rihanna made her first public appearance since giving birth to show her support for Rocky at the opening day of GoPuff Delivers Wireless 2022, a 10-day music festival held in London's Crystal Palace Park.

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August 2022

According to an exclusive source, the musicians are embracing their roles as new parents and taking great care of their son. They are rarely apart from him and are choosing to keep him out of the public eye for now, prioritizing his safety. Both of them feel incredibly grateful and are experiencing pure happiness in this new chapter of their lives.

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October 2022

Rihanna and her partner made a fashionable entrance as they marked Rocky's 34th birthday at Olivetta in West Hollywood. Rihanna turned heads in a sophisticated black dress featuring an alluring slit, while her beau looked dapper in a well-tailored suit matched with a tie.

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October 2022

The couple joyfully stepped onto the red carpet for the very first time together at the premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Los Angeles. This momentous occasion came just hours after the exciting news broke that the talented singer from Barbados would be contributing her incredible vocals to the film's soundtrack.

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January 2023

After attending the 2023 Golden Globes together, the pair continued their evening with a romantic dinner at the Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California.

At the Golden Globes, Rihanna was nominated for Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

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January 2023

Rocky expressed his overwhelming joy of becoming a new father in an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe. He described parenthood as an "unexplainable" experience and proudly declared his membership in the "dad club." According to him, seeing his family thrive brings him immense happiness. Being a dad has given him a fresh perspective on life, allowing him to be more attentive and absorbent like a sponge. He emphasized how this newfound energy drives him to be more productive and fuels his creativity. However, he couldn't quite put into words the sheer bliss of returning home to his family and his baby. Every day feels like heaven, and he expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the goodness of God. Additionally, Rocky couldn't contain his excitement about Rihanna's upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance in 2023. He expressed his admiration for her and how thrilled he is to see her making music again. In fact, he confessed to being even more excited than everyone else.

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February 2023

The singer made an announcement during her Super Bowl LVII performance, showcasing her baby bump and confirming that she is pregnant with her second child, who is fathered by ASAP Rocky. The rapper was seen in the crowd, enthusiastically supporting his girlfriend.

Following the exciting reveal, a trusted source informed Us that the couple was both surprised and thrilled about the news of their second baby coming so soon after the birth of their first child. Although they had been actively trying for another baby, the pregnancy happened sooner than they had anticipated!

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February 2023

The couple spent time together in Italy following Rihanna's Super Bowl performance and baby No. 2 announcement.

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Rocky raised a champagne flute in celebration while enthusiastically supporting Rihanna during her electrifying rendition of "Lift Me Up" from the critically acclaimed movie "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the prestigious 95th annual Academy Awards.

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March 2023

Rocky was amazed by Rihanna's stellar performance at the Oscars, according to an exclusive source from Us. The rapper from ASAP Mob was in awe of the "Shut Up and Drive" singer's rendition of "Lift Me Up" during the 95th annual Academy Awards. What made it even more remarkable was that Rihanna accomplished all of this while being pregnant and having also performed at the Super Bowl. Rocky couldn't be prouder of her and is completely captivated by her achievements. He considers himself incredibly fortunate to have such an extraordinary woman by his side. Following her performance, Rihanna and Rocky were spotted cuddling and posing for pictures. Rocky lovingly embraced the songstress of "California King Bed" and gently cradled her baby bump.

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June 2023

In June 2023, the "Diamonds" singer expressed her love for her partner by commenting on his Instagram post, saying, "The Mayers boys stole my whole heart! Happy Father's Day, nerd." It is worth noting that Mayer is ASAP's legal last name.