My mum told me to dump my girlfriend for Rihanna – A$AP Rocky

American rapper A$AP Rocky has revealed that his mother once advised him to end a relationship with his then-girlfriend and pursue global music star Rihanna instead.

Rocky made the disclosure during an interview with The New York Times, where he reflected on his long-standing friendship with Rihanna before their romantic relationship began.

According to the rapper, his mother was convinced Rihanna was “the real one” and repeatedly encouraged him to go after her, even when he insisted they were just friends at the time.

“Rihanna has always been my boo. I always f*cked with her,” Rocky said.
“My mother used to say, ‘I know you like this girl that you are with right now, but I want you with Riri.’ And I would tell her that Rihanna is just a friend. But my mother insisted that Rihanna is a real one. Mothers know best.”

Despite the encouragement, Rocky explained that he was grateful their relationship did not start earlier, noting that neither he nor Rihanna was ready for the level of commitment and family life they now share.

“I am thankful that my relationship with Rihanna started when it did. Because at any time prior to that, I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was either,” he added.

Rocky and Rihanna grew closer after he joined her Diamond World Tour in 2013. Romance rumours later intensified in 2020, shortly after Rihanna’s split from Saudi billionaire Hassan Jameel.

The couple officially went public with their relationship and have since welcomed three children together — their first in 2022, second in 2023, and third in 2025.

Rocky previously dated model Kendall Jenner between 2016 and 2017.