Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Relationship Timeline
While they’ve been friends for nearly a decade, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky began sparking relationship rumors in late 2020. Rocky pretty much declared his love for Rih in a 2021 interview with GQ, and to be honest, this is the power couple of all power couples. At the beginning of 2022, they also revealed that they are expecting their first child together. Later on that spring, the couple welcomed their first son.
If you’re wondering how these two met and how their friendship turned into something more, read our relationship timeline, where we unpack everything to know so far.
May 19, 2022: Rihanna Spotted for the First Time Since Welcoming Her Baby Boy
Rihanna is officially in her hot mom era. The singer and beauty mogul was spotted out in public for the first time since giving birth to her son on May 13. TMZ obtained pics of Rihanna rocking an oversized gray sweatshirt and baggy pants as she left her West Hollywood home and entered an SUV.
May 13, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcome Their Baby Boy
Congrats are in order for the new parents! TMZ reported on May 19 that Rih and A$AP welcomed a baby boy on May 13 in Los Angeles, but no name has been revealed.
According to an ET source, “Before Rihanna gave birth, A$AP was super involved and was asking his friends for parenting advice. He wants to be the best dad possible and continue to take care of Rihanna. He’s really looking forward to raising their baby boy together.”
The couple reportedly has not left each other’s side since the birth of their first child, with the source explaining that « they are over the moon. [Rihanna’s] been looking forward to motherhood for a long time. This little boy is going to have the best baby fashion.”
The source tells ET that Rihanna and A$AP are hoping to travel to New York so that their newborn son can meet both artists’ families.
May 05, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Get Married in « D.M.B » Video
Ever wonder what Rihanna would look like as a bride? Well, the Anti songstress put those questions to rest when she starred in her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky’s new « D.M.B, » music video. Shot in New York City last summer, « Das Ma Bish » follows the couple as they navigate through ride-or-die scenarios. Despite hiccups, like Rocky going to jail, the couple’s love ultimately conquers all with them tying the knot while rocking « Will You Marry Me » and « I Do » grillz.
Rocky, who directed the video, took to Instagram, thanking his « lady » Rihanna for her assistance in the video. « $PECIAL THANK$ 2 MY LADY FOR THE MOTIVATION & ROLE, » he wrote.
April 23, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Step Out in LA After Rocky’s Arrest
Rihanna and Rocky stepped out for dinner with friends on Saturday in Santa Monica, California. According to People, a source disclosed that « it was a happy and relaxed group. »
« Rihanna looked great. She sat next to A$AP and they were affectionate, » they continued. « They dined for a couple of hours. The focus was very much on Rihanna and the baby. »
Rihanna, once again, rocked a stunning look. She wore a black bra underneath an open white button down shirt and black jacket that bared her bump. She paired the sequined bra with matching shorts, and open-toe stiletto pumps. Meanwhile, Rocky wore a gray T-shirt underneath a floral-detailed hoodie and jeans.
This was the first time the couple was spotted in public together following A$AP Rocky’s arrest at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, April 20. After having just landed on a private plane from Barbados, the rapper was detained in connection to a November 2021 shooting. He was soon released on a $550,000 bail.
March 20, 2022: Rihanna and Rocky Spark Engagement Rumors
Could Rihanna and A$AP Rocky be headed down the aisle? The singer is fueling engagement rumors after she was spotted with a huge diamond ring on her left ring finger.
The new pics came after the expectant mama was photographed shopping for baby clothes in Los Angeles on Sunday. It was the same day that she shared an adorable baby bump post on her Instagram Story.
Rihanna is known for rocking lavish jewels, so there’s no telling if this is simply a ring with diamonds or a dazzling diamond engagement ring. Either way, the Fenty Beauty mogul will confirm the news (if there’s any to confirm) when she’s ready, just like she did with her pregnancy.
March 1, 2022: The Couple Attends Fashion Month Shows
Throughout Fashion Month, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have stepped out in a number of incredibly stunning, newsworthy looks and on March 1, the singer wore one of her most daring numbers yet. Headed to Dior’s Autumn/Winter 2022 show in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, Rihanna wore a black sheer dress that fully showcased her baby bump, and black knee-high leather boots. Iconic.
One day earlier, on February 28, the couple attended the Off-White Fall 2022 show together, where Rih rocked a peach leather minidress, matching shearling coat, and strappy heels. A$AP also wore a monochromatic leather look.
But that’s not all. The duo stunned at the Gucci show in Milan, where Rihanna wore a black latex crop top and black pants, paired with a purple fuzzy coat and gold headpiece. A$AP again wore black leather pants, complemented with a black zip-up jacket, adidas x Gucci gloves, and a monogrammed suitcase.
February 11, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Attend the Fenty Beauty Universe Event
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attended the Fenty Beauty Universe Event in Los Angeles to celebrate the pop star’s successful brands, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin. It marked the first time the couple publicly stepped out since their pregnancy announcement. On the red carpet, Rih wore a bright green ombre sequin top with glowing skin and a red lip while Rocky wore a purple letterman jacket.
The stars were doing separate interviews when Rocky suddenly joined Rih during a conversation with E! News. The reporter then asked Rocky what his favorite product from the Fenty line was, and without hesitation, the rapper looked at Rihanna and said « Her. » The « Diamonds » singer then went on to say that he’s a keeper, and indeed he is.
January 31, 2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Are Expecting!
Per Page Six, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are officially expecting their first child together. The couple was spotted on a stroll in Rocky’s hometown of Harlem, where Rih showed off her baby bump in a long pink coat and loose ripped jeans. She also rocked a long necklace, which rested on her stomach that peeked out of her coat.
January 2022: The Couple Is Spotted in NYC
Rih and Rocky have been spotted holding hands and taking strolls on multiple occasions in New York City. Of course, the power couple’s outfits were on point every. Single. Time.
November 7, 2021: Rihanna Supports A$AP Rocky at ComplexCon
A report by E! News revealed that Rihanna was supporting A$AP Rocky at his latest live performance as she sang along and snapped videos from the front row on Sunday, November 7. According to the outlet, A$AP Rocky was the Sunday-night headlining performer of ComplexCon, a two-day festival in Long Beach, California. He was performing his 2011 mixtape, LIVE. LOVE. A$AP for the first time ever at the convention, and Rih looked happier than ever while showing her partner support.
September 13, 2021: They Attend the MET Gala
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky pulled up to the 2021 MET Gala at the eleventh hour, causing social media hysteria over whether or not the couple would attend. Luckily for us, they didn’t disappoint. Rihanna rocked an all-black Balenciaga cape dress with a matching black beanie and a diamond hairpiece. Rocky sported a giant quilt over a black suit and white shirt.
September 7, 2021: The Couple Snaps a Pic With Nicki Minaj and Her Family
The lovebirds posed for a family-friendly photo opp with Nicki Minaj, her husband, Kenneth Petty, and their young son, who Nicki affectionately calls Papa Bear.
July 11, 2021: The Two Are Seen on Set of a Music Video in NYC
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were caught in New York City on the set of a music video. The Anti singer wore a pink sherbet-colored fur coat and denim shorts as she sat on a fire escape next to the A$AP Mob emcee who wore a matching fur hat.
May 19, 2021: A$AP Rocky Opens Up About His Love for Rihanna
As GQ’s June cover star, 32-year-old A$AP Rocky confessed his love for Rihanna in the exclusive interview. When asked about the Fenty Beauty mogul, Rocky started « beaming like a teenager whose crush just accepted his prom invite. »
« She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones, » Rocky said, « I think when you know, you know. She’s the One. » He also referred to Rih as his « lady, » and the love of his life.
He rented a tour bus with Rih last summer and embarked on a country-wide trip with stops in Texas, Tennessee, and some national parks, which he admitted strengthened their bond. « I met myself, » he said of the trip. « Being able to drive and do a tour without feeling like it was an occupation or an obligated job agreement, I feel like that experience is like none other, » Rocky recalled. « I never experienced nothing like it. »
April 12, 2021: The Couple Is Spotted on Date Night in LA
The pair looked fashionable while out and about in LA. They went out for dinner at tk, Rocky wore a black-on-black outfit while Rihanna opted for a brown vintage leather fur coat from Archive.
According to a source, Rocky and Rih have been hanging out since last summer and even made it official within their inner circles. « Things changed over the summer and they finally hooked up. They’ve been together ever since, » the source told Us Weekly.
January 2021: Rihanna Steps Out in Rocky’s Latest Footwear Collab
Rih publicly supported Rocky’s collaboration with footwear designer Amina Muaddi as she rocked a pair of the Amina Muaddi x AWGE LSD Gladi Thigh Heels.
« new year’s resolution: apply the pressure, » the 33-year-old singer captioned the photo.
December 24, 2020: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Vacation in Barbados
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have had a longstanding friendship and even worked together on some music before becoming more. The couple went on a cruise to Rih’s homeland of Barbados, where Rocky allegedly met her family and spent time with them on Christmas.
« They’ve known each other for so long as friends and in a work setting, which makes it so easy for them to get along, travel together and be involved in each other’s lives to the full extent, » a source told Entertainment Tonight. « They always have such a good time together and definitely seem in love. »
December 2020: The Two Are Spotted Walking in NYC
The two were seen together quite often, be it for an evening stroll or dinner at the Beatrice Inn in New York City. According to reports by Page Six and People, Rih and Rocky had finally taken their relationship to the next level at this point.
August 26, 2020: Rocky Models with Rihanna for Fenty Skin
Rocky modeled alongside Rihanna in a campaign for her skincare line, Fenty Skin. Dare I say that they both look glowy and ethereal? Talk about serious couple goals.
They also promoted the skincare launch by doing an exclusive video interview with GQ, where Rocky got candid about his own skincare journey.
« I had to discover face cleansing and skincare all at the same time when I was a young buck in the shower, » he said in the video. « You can’t wash your body with the same rag you wash your face with. I was lucky enough to be the type of guy that wants to wash my face. »
January 2020: Rihanna Reportedly Splits from Hassan Jameel
Rihanna reportedly called things off with her billionaire beau of three years, Hassan Jameel. A source told People that the breakup happened because they weren’t a « good match » and that it was « hard to maintain a relationship. »
After that, romance rumors surrounding Rih and Rocky began to hit the internet. A source told The Sun that Rih shared a hotel room with Rocky and that she was « reluctant to put a label on it as it’s so soon after Hassan. »
The source also said that Rih and Rocky’s relationship was « casual » and that she was a « newly-single girl having fun. »
A different source told E! News that the singer was merely hanging out with Rocky but not dating him.
December 2, 2019: Rihanna and Rocky Pose Together at the 2019 British Fashion Awards
The pair attended the British Fashion Awards in London and even posed for photos on the red carpet together. They both wore ensembles by her newly-minted fashion brand, Fenty.
September 12, 2019: Rocky Attends Rihanna’s 5th Annual Diamond Ball
Rocky attended Rihanna’s 5th Annual Diamond Ball benefitting the Clara Lionel Foundation for the second year in a row.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky chat inside the 5th Annual Diamond Ball Benefitting The Clara Lionel Foundation on Sept. 12, 2019.
September 13, 2018: Rocky Is a Guest at Rihanna’s Diamond Ball
Rihanna invited Rocky to her 4th Annual Diamond Ball, a coveted fashion charity event in support of the Clara Lionel Foundation she founded to support global educational programs. It was his first time attending and he wore a sleek black suit with diamond stud earrings.
June 21, 2018: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Sit Front Row Together at the Louis Vuitton Show
Rih and Rocky are seen getting cozy while sitting front row at Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2019 fashion show at Paris Fashion Week.
May/June 2017: Rihanna Begins Dating Hassan Jameel
This is around the time when Rihanna started dating billionare Hassan Jameel. Dating rumors about Rocky and supermodel Kendall Jenner started circulating as they were seen getting cozy at the Met Gala that same year.
2013: A$AP Rocky Joins Rihanna’s Tour
A$AP Rocky joined Rihanna as the opening act on the North American leg of her Diamonds World Tour.
2012: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Collaborate
This is one of the first times we see the pair linked together. Rocky hopped on a remix of Rihanna’s single, « Cockiness (Love It), » which describes Rih’s sexual dominance over her partner.
They also performed the track at MTV’s Video Music Awards on Sept. 6, 2012.
Leah Campano is an assistant editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.
Jasmine Washington is an assistant editor for Seventeen, covering beauty and pop culture. When her head isn’t buried in the latest Love Belvin romance release, she’s stanning all things Beyoncé and binging « Married at First Sight. » You can find her fulfilling her beauty addiction at Sephora, or somewhere on a quest for the world’s best tacos.
Sam is the editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, celebrity news, health, and beauty. When she isn’t draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.