Rihanna and A$AP Rocky relationship timeline in photos: From friendship to their new baby

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have been official since 2020 and have an even longer history of reported hook-ups and public displays – and the musical couple are now parents to their first child. 

The Barbadian singer, 34, and rapper, 33, first sparked rumours when he grabbed her bottom during a heated performance at the 2012 MTV VMA Awards.

They were then spotted kissing outside a recording studio at 3am, months later in 2013.

The pair went onto date other people with Rihanna having several high-profile relationships with Lewis Hamilton, Hassan Jameel and Drake among others.

After her three-year relationship with Saudi businessman Hassan ended in January 2020, A$AP and Rihanna finally made it official – announcing their relationship in December 2020 having been pictured together in London a year earlier.

Days after the relationship was confirmed, the pair were reported to be in love.

In January 2022, Rihanna then announced that she was pregnant, debuted her bare bump to the world.

Rumours of an engagement were sparked when Rihanna repeatedly stepped out with a diamond ring on her wedding finger, but this is yet to be confirmed. 

The pair had a rough start to 2022 when during Rihanna’s pregnancy, A$AP was caught in a rumoured cheating storm, being forced to deny betraying the singer twice in April.

The month went from bad to worse when they returned from a babymoon in Barbados to see A$AP arrested at LAX for a reported firearms incident months earlier.

The pair welcomed their first child in May 2022 and have since been touted for a permanent move to Rihanna’s home of Barbados to raise the child.

Rihanna is seemingly standing by her man as he faces criminal charges for his part in the alleged shooting in 2021.

Here are the big moments of Rihanna and A$AP from when they first sparked rumours of a romance to today as parents.

16 August, 2022: A$AP Rocky is charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm after ‘shooting friend during row in Hollywood’ that left victim with minor injuries 

The Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon announced in August 2022 that charges for an alleged shooting would be brought against A$AP Rocky.

A$AP was announced to be facing two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm after the incident which occurred on November 6, 2021, when Rihanna was four months pregnant.

Rocky was arraigned on August 17 in a courtroom in downtown Los Angeles.

11 August, 2022:  A$AP Rocky to be sued for assault and battery by former pal who alleges the rapper fired ‘multiple shots’ at him

A$AP Rocky’s high school best friend, Terell Ephron, who goes by aka A$AP Relli was reported to be planning to file a civil suit against the rapper in August 2022.

Ahead of Rocky’s August 17 court date, Ephron is publicly claiming that he was lured ‘to an obscure location in central Hollywood ‘to discuss a disagreement between the two of them,’ according to a statement provided to the outlet by Ephron’s attorneys

His lawyers, Jamal Tooson and Brian Hurwitz, also claim that the talent manager sustained ‘minor injuries to his left hand’ after the shooting.

22 May, 2022: Rihanna ‘planning surprise move to Barbados with A$AP Rocky so she can raise baby son in her native country

Rihanna was reportedly planning on raising her baby son in her native country of Barbados in May 2022.

The singer and her boyfriend A$AP Rocky were reportedly expected to remain in Los Angeles for the following three months before moving back to the Caribbean with their baby.

A source told the Mirror: ‘Both her and ASAP’s family are in Barbados, so the couple are planning to move there in a few months’ time.’

The publication also reports that Rihanna had already decided what school her son will attend.

19 May, 2022: Rihanna has her baby! The singer and beau A$AP Rocky ‘welcome their son’ 

Rihanna and beau A$AP Rocky welcomed their first child in May 2022.

The singer from Barbados had her baby boy on May 13, TMZ said.

The Savage x Fenty designer and the pair have yet to confirm the baby’s arrival and the site did not yet have news on a name at the time.

The last time the cover girl was seen out in public before the birth was on May 9 when she left Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California with Rocky by her side after a romantic Italian dinner.

28 April, 2022: Pregnant Rihanna and A$AP Rocky ‘threw a rave-themed baby shower’ days after first bash was cancelled due to his arrest – as woman claims she’s been ‘secretly messaging rapper’

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky reportedly threw a private rave-themed baby shower in April 2022.

According to HipHollywood, the Umbrella singer rescheduled her bash after the initial event on was cancelled following the Praise the Lord hitmaker’s arrest.

Rihanna and A$AP made up for the initial disruption as their guests were asked to wear neon clothes while everyone left with personalised gifts.

28 April, 2022: Rihanna’s fiancé A$AP Rocky is now accused of ‘secretly sending messages to British mother, 45’

A British mother-of-three claimed A$AP Rocky had been ‘secretly sending her messages’ her for months in April 2022, just weeks after denying rumors that he’d cheated on the singer with shoe designer Amina Muaddi.

The Sun claimed that a woman named Jilly O’Donnell, 45, was contacted by someone who appears to be the rapper, 33, on Instagram, where he ‘bombarded her with flirty messages.’

According to Jilly, the alleged communication between herself and Rocky began in December 2021 and continued until ‘the start of last month.’

It was also alleged that he once offered to fly Jilly ‘1,700 miles to Ukraine to meet him’ months prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022.

20 April, 2022: A$AP Rocky is arrested at LAX for shooting an acquaintance following an argument 

Police arrested A$AP at Los Angeles International Airport in April 2022 on charges of assault with a deadly weapon – returning from a vacation with heavily-pregnant Rihanna in Barbados.

Officers were also seen outside of his LA home, smashing into the gate with a battering ram, before apparently raiding the property. Detectives seized multiple boxes of evidence from the house.

He later posted his $550,000 bail and was photographed being released from a Los Angeles jail – hours after he was arrested at LAX for allegedly shooting an acquaintance after an argument in Hollywood last year.

16 April, 2022: Influencer Louis Pisano apologizes for spreading ‘reckless’ rumour that A$AP Rocky and Rihanna split over infidelity adding ‘I have no excuse for it’

Influencer Louis Pisano apologised for spreading a rumour that A$AP Rocky and Rihanna broke up because of infidelity in April 2022.

The social media star took to Twitter to apologise for tweeting out the unsubstantiated claim involving the pair.

They posted a long text post with white lettering against a black background where the writer said it was a ‘dumb decision’ to post the claim.

Rihanna and A$AP were later seen together on vacation in Barbados.

15 April, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s friends deny split and cheating claims 

A woman accused of having an affair with A$AP Rocky during Rihanna’s pregnancy fiercely denied the allegations in April 2022.

Shoe designer Amina Muaddi took to Instagram to issue a statement after social media was alight with claims the rapper, had cheated on the heavily pregnant singer with her.

She wrote: ‘I’ve always believed that an unfounded lie spread on social media doesn’t deserve any response or clarification, especially one that is so vile.

‘I initially assumed that this fake gossip – fabricated with such malicious intent – would not be taken seriously.’

21 March, 2022: Pregnant Rihanna sparks engagement rumours as she flashes a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger and shows off her burgeoning bump as she shops for baby clothes in LA 

Rihanna flashed a massive diamond ring on her wedding finger when she was spotted out in Santa Monica in March 2022.

As she reached the third trimester of her pregnancy, the singer sported the jewellery as she walk out and about in California.

When she emerged onto the sidewalk and was asked about the bauble, she laughed and teased: ‘This old ring?’

The showing spared rumours that she and A$AP were going to tie the knot in addition to welcoming their first child.

31 January, 2022: Rihanna is PREGNANT! Singer shows off bare baby bump in freezing NYC

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky announced that they were expecting their first child in January 2021, when Ri-Ri shared the first images of her growing baby bump.

The couple were pictured out walking in the rapper’s home neighborhood of Harlem in New York City, and the We Found Love singer made no effort to hide her belly — in fact, she was baring it proudly, despite freezing temperatures and snow.

Rihanna was photographed in a bright pink $8,000 vintage Chanel coat, which she wore open from just below her breasts, showing off a several-months-along pregnant belly.

The star didn’t wear a shirt under her colourful jacket — though temperatures in the city dipped down to 24F (-4C) that day, just before Winter Storm Kenan blew in with several inches of show — however she did accessorize with a large glitzy body chain that hung over her bump, ensuring all eyes were on her growing stomach.

11 August, 2021: Rihanna and A$AP have a ‘solid romance’ and are ‘crazy about each other’

Sources close to the couple confirmed how much the singers were into each other after almost a year of dating in September 2021. 

The source told People: ‘This romance evolved since they were friends first. They already knew and respected each other and it has just grown from there’.

‘They loved to laugh and have a blast together before they even dated’.

A second People source said: ‘They are crazy about each other’. 

9 December, 2020: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky in love! Singers are ‘inseparable’

In December, 2020, sources claimed that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were very much in love as they enjoyed late-night dinners and strolls through the park.

It was also added that the rapper had been into the Barbados beauty for many years and is thrilled she finally agreed to date him.

People reported that the two have been ‘inseparable’ as they are ‘very into’ each other.

The People source added: ‘They’ve been inseparable the past few weeks. It’s a new relationship, but they both seem very into it.

‘They’ve always seemed to have a great time together. They have a lot in common.’

1 December, 2020: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky confirmed to be dating

The confirmation of a romance came in late 2020 after the pair were seen enjoying a dinner with friends at New York City’s Beatrice Inn.

The Umbrella vocalist and Praise the Lord (Da Shine) artist collaborated earlier in 2020 on a promotional campaign for her Fenty Skin line, taking part in joint interviews with Vogue and GQ for the promotion.

The chats struck a flirty tone as, at one point, the You Da One singer at one point, asked A$AP Rocky about how he considered his skin, and he said, ‘Handsome.’

A$AP told the Rude Boy singer that the hardest part of collaborating with her was keeping focused and serious.

‘I think the hardest part about working with you is not goofin’ off and laughing the whole time,’ he told her. ‘Like this s*** is comedy. That’s the hardest part. You know, people be so cool it’s hard not to, not to laugh. That’s all. 

‘But it was fun. The hardest part is not having too much fun. You just forget that it’s still work at the end of the day.’

17 January, 2020: Rihanna ‘splits’ from billionaire boyfriend Hassan Jameel after dating for nearly three years

Rihanna broke up with her Saudi billionaire beau Hassan Jameel, it was reported in early 2020.

The Barbados beauty were together for almost three years and were first seen together in 2017 – but sources insisted they had already been together for months.

They were often seen on vacation together in Europe – including in late 2017 when they were seen side by side in Ibiza.

The loved-up couple were seen kissing, hugging and sipping champagne in the pool of a luxury villa they rented. At the time, friends of the performer revealed she was ‘head over heels’ in love with Jameel, whose full name is Hassan Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel.

‘She’s as happy as she has been in a very long time,’ a source told People.

2 December, 2019: Rihanna poses alongside A$AP Rocky at London Fashion Awards

Rihanna led the glamour at the British Fashion Awards 2019 and was pictured with soon-to-be boyfriend A$AP at the glitzy event.

The singer made an entrance alongside the rapper in a halterneck mint green satin mini dress and wrapped a matching sheer dress coat over her.

The appearance came weeks before the Barbadian hitmaker confirmed that she had ended things with her long-term partner Hassan Jameel.

13 September, 2018: Rocky attends Rihanna’s annual Diamond Ball

A$AP Rocky was all suited up and looking dapper at the Diamond Ball in September 2018.

Rihanna’s black-tie event at Cipriani Wall Street in New York is always a star-studded affair with celebrities such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cardi B and Emily Ratajkowski making an appearance last year.

The bash raised $5 million and was hosted by Dave Chappelle and featured performances by Kendrick Lamar and Calvin Harris.

6 October, 2015: Rihanna can’t keep her hands off boyfriend Travis Scott as the smitten pair pack on the PDA with a kiss while at a nightclub in Paris

After her initial rumoured romance with A$AP in 2012, Rihanna led a storied dating life including a brief romance with rapper Travis Scott in 2015. 

The singer didn’t feel shy to express her feelings over the musician as she was seen locked in a passionate embrace with him in l’Arc Nightclub in Paris as they danced in a throng of partygoers.

The Umbrella hitmaker was in the mood for romance as she kissed her then-boyfriend firmly on the lips.

Black and white images showed the pair incredibly close together, their relationship going strength to strength.

16 August, 2013: Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky look cosy on AND off camera while shooting music video in New York

Photographs of Rihanna cosying up to A$AP in New York emerged in summer 2013. 

The megastar – who previously dated Chris Brown and Drake – was snapped getting close both on and off camera as they filmed a music video in Manhattan.

The shots fuelled speculation that the singer and the Harlem-born rapper – who supported her on part of her Diamonds world tour – were more than just friends.

In one, A$AP Rocky – real name Rakim Mayers – was seen smiling down at Rihanna and leaning towards the star.

15 July, 2013: A$AP opens for Rihanna on her Diamonds World Tour – though they interrupt this for London’s Wireless Festival

A$AP opened for Rihanna months after their steamy on-stage performance during her Diamonds World Tour – with both also performing at 2013 Wireless Festival.

Rihanna and Jay-Z drew the festival to a close with a triumphant surprise performance on the Sunday night.

The Barbadian singer joined the legendary rapper and Justin Timberlake in the final headline slot of the three-day music event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, for a surprise rendition of Run This Town alongside her Roc Nation mentor.

Sending the crowd wild as she walked out to a rapturous applause, the Diamonds hitmaker managed to keep her Wireless appearance completely under wraps until she joined Jay Z on the stage while A$AP Rocky performed lower down the billing.

7 September 2012: A$AP Rocky touches Rihanna’s bottom at MTV’s VMA Awards

The couple gave first glimpses of a possible romance at the 2012 MTV VMA Awards – with A$AP grabbing Rihanna’s famous behind as she debuted a new single on stage.

Performing Cockiness (Love It) with the help of her now-beau, the songstress was left blushing after he gave her a little more than she bargained for when he squeezed her bottom. 

Helping Rihanna to give a performance to remember, American rapper and music director A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, jumped on stage to deliver his verse which features on the remix of her red hot mid-tempo single.