Rihanna and A$AP Rocky relationship timeline: How the couple's romance began
The music collaborators and fellow fashion icons have had a slow-burn relationship that has culminated in a growing young family — the couple now have two toddler sons, RZA and Riot Rose.
But their relationship has no doubt become more complicated amid Rocky's Los Angeles trial for felony assault.
The artist, born Rakim Mayers and raised in Harlem, New York, is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He's accused of firing a gun twice in the direction of Terell Ephron, an ex-friend who was formerly known as A$AP Relli, after an argument in Hollywood, California, in November 2021. In January 2024, he pleaded not guilty to the weapons charges.
He could serve up to 24 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
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"We're ready to go. It's been a long time," Rocky's defense lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said after a Jan. 15 hearing, according to The Associated Press. "It's been something that's waiting over Rocky's head and Rihanna and their family's heads for a while. We're anxious to get this thing underway and get this behind him."
Here's a walk down of how the couple came to be.
A$AP Rocky trial begins:What we know about the felony assault case
When did Rihanna and A$AP Rocky meet?
Rihanna and Rocky, both 36, first met during rehearsals for their joint performance of "Cockiness (Love It)" at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, according to the singer. The "D.M.B." rapper snuck in a backside grab on stage, which sparked early dating rumors.
"My team was worried that I wanted to have his head on a mantle," she told Interview magazine in April. "But I was like, 'Ah, nah.' That's why everybody was like, 'Oh my god. She likes him.'"
Rihanna discusses 'cautious' startto dating A$AP Rocky, fears that come with motherhood
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky collaborations
The couple have worked together a handful of times over the years, including on the remix for Rihanna's "Talk That Talk" track "Cockiness (Love It)." In 2013, the rapper opened for Rihanna on her Diamonds World Tour.
In music videos, the singer has appeared in treatments for Rocky's "Fashion Killa" in 2013 and "D.M.B." in 2022.
Rihanna, A$AP Rocky's dating history
Before there was Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, both had whirlwind romances of both the official and rumored variety.
The "Diamonds" singer infamously dated Chris Brown in the late 2000s, and has been romantically linked to Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, Saudi Arabian businessman Hassan Jameel and Drake.
For the "Tailor Swif" rapper's part, he has been linked to rapper Iggy Azalea and model Chanel Iman. The rapper was also rumored to have had a brief romance with Kendall Jenner around 2016-17, but neither has confirmed the relationship.
When did Rihanna and A$AP Rocky start dating?
The Fenty Beauty mogul has said the couple had a "cautious" start.
The duo remained close friends but didn't cross the line into dating until 2019, Rihanna told Interview. "We saw fashion the same. We saw creative the same. We ended up in the same circles a lot. And past that, when we grew up, we ended up supporting each other's brands and products and creative all the time," she said.
"We've known each other for a long time. I've seen him in relationships. He's seen me in relationships. We've seen each other outside of relationships. We knew what we're capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other's lives," Rihanna continued, explaining why they waited to date. "We can make or break each other's hearts. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution."
She added: "I just let whatever was supposed to happen, happen. It was just, 'This is a flower. It's either going to die or blossom. But I'm going to let it decide itself.'"
By 2020, the couple went on a country-wide road trip together and were spotted in Barbados for Christmas (both share Bajan roots), sparking renewed dating rumors. Rocky confirmed the pair were official in a May 2021 interview with GQ, calling Rihanna "the love of my life."
"She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones. I think when you know, you know," he told the outlet. "She's the one."
When did Rihanna and A$AP Rocky become parents?
The pair welcomed their first son, RZA Athelston Mayers, in 2022. The bundle of joy was named in honor of the Wu-Tang member and shares Rocky's middle name.
Rihanna and Rocky welcomed their second son, Riot Rose Mayers, in 2023, evening out the R-family tree.
The "Work" singer gushed about the rapper's parenting skills in 2023.
"I loved him differently as a dad. This is major, major, like, it's a turn on," Rihanna told Access Hollywood. "It's just like, 'Wow! What a leader. What a great, patient, loving (dad). And my kids are obsessed with him. I'm just a background, like, I'm an extra. Yep, it happens. … It doesn't matter if it's girls or boys. They love their dad differently, and I love to see it."
Rihanna gushes aboutA$AP Rocky's parenting: 'I loved him differently as a dad'
Rihanna told Interview in April that even though she and Rocky never discussed starting a family, she "knew" they were ready. "We didn't even really talk about it. There was no denying it. It was the best thing that ever happened to us. It just happened."
She added she's open to more children but is letting her faith take charge. "I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two," she said. "I would try for my girl. But of course if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Contributing: Edward Segarra
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Proving hard to shift, he gradually dropped the price to $16.5 million (£13m) before selling for $11 million (£8.5m) in October 2021. Lady Gaga's quirky Laurel Canyon compound A lover of quirky design, Lady Gaga is no stranger to unique homes, and over the years, she has bought and sold some interesting pieces of real estate. Yet nothing is quite as eye-catching as the characterful compound she snapped up in 2016. Lady Gaga's quirky Laurel Canyon compound Gaga splashed just under $5.3 million (£4.1m) on the historic home in Laurel Canyon, California, just a few months before releasing her fifth studio album, Joanne. Once owned by 'Valley Girl' singer Frank Zappa, Gaga was the first person outside of the star's family to call the Tudor-style property home. Zappa purchased the six-bedroom home in 1968 for just $75,000 (£58k) and went on to transform it into a treasure trove of quirky décor and memorabilia. Lady Gaga's quirky Laurel Canyon compound The 6,700-square-foot (622 sqm), old-world residence offers a kitchen with a vaulted ceiling and exposed wooden beams, a recording studio curiously named the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, a secret vault and even an art gallery with a double-height ceiling. Every space is decorated with weird and wonderful touches, including dragon murals, porthole windows and doors salvaged from vintage submarines. Lady Gaga's quirky Laurel Canyon compound Outside in the grounds, there's a swimming pool, a rooftop tennis court, various mosaic-embellished patios and an elaborate stone courtyard. In November 2021, the House of Gucci star quietly sold the house to model Lizzy Jagger, the daughter of rock star Mick Jagger and actress Jerry Hall for $6.5m (£5m). Celine Dion's waterpark estate in Florida Not many mansions come equipped with a 500,000-gallon outdoor waterpark, but Celine Dion's Florida property is not your average celebrity home. For starters, it took Dion and husband René Angélil two years to build, plus it sits on 5.7 acres (2.3 ha) of land and features over 400 feet (122m) of coastline. Celine Dion's waterpark estate in Florida The property was intended to be a vacation home for Dion and her family to avoid the paparazzi, yet it's anything but low-key. The waterpark includes multiple pools, a footbridge and slides, while the property benefits from a tennis court, beach house and numerous guest houses. Celine Dion's waterpark estate in Florida Inside the main house there are five bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple living rooms and huge walk-in wardrobes, plus a gym in the beach-side cabana. So, it's a little more kitted-out than your average celebrity hideaway… Celine Dion's waterpark estate in Florida But it's the home's grounds that make it truly iconic. The famous waterpark can be seen in the background, making this Peter Pan home truly unforgettable. When Dion took up residency in Las Vegas in 2013, she put the property on the market for $72 million (£56m). However, it struggled to shift with such a hefty price tag, finally selling four years later for just over half the price. Bob Hope's Palm Springs spaceship home Legendary stand-up comedian and actor Bob Hope must have been in a seriously spacey mood when he commissioned his iconic house in Palm Springs, California. The property was designed by American modernist architect John Lautner for Hope and his wife, who gained quite a reputation for the remarkable parties they hosted at their UFO home. Let's take a look… Bob Hope's Palm Springs spaceship home Built in 1979, the 23,000-square-foot (7,010 sqm) property is the largest and most ambitious private residence designed by Lautner. Constructed out of concrete, steel and glass, the dramatic residence features a futuristic curved copper roof with a huge opening that reveals the sky. Bob Hope's Palm Springs spaceship home The gravity-defying property has 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, two pools, a tennis court, its own waterfall and a pavilion with an outdoor fireplace. Large terraces overlook stunning views of the rugged Coachella desert landscape. Bob Hope's Palm Springs spaceship home The property was put on the market back in 2013 with an ambitious asking price of $50 million (£38.8m), but it made headlines in 2016 when it was eventually sold for the more humble figure of $13 million (£10m). Its subsequent owner investor, Ron Burkle, has since commissioned Lautner protegée Helena Arahuete to undertake a multi-million-dollar renovation project, using John Lautner's original plans and 100 expert craftsmen. Alicia Keys' Razor House masterpiece American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys and her record producer husband Swizz Beatz put down a cool $20.8 million (£16.1m) in 2019, for a truly awe-inspiring home overlooking the cinematic landscapes of La Jolla, a coastal neighbourhood in Southern California. Alicia Keys' Razor House masterpiece The incredible clifftop home, which was designed by architect Wallace E. Cunningham, was built in 2007 and is said to have been the inspiration behind Tony Stark's Razor Point, Malibu lair in the Iron Man film franchise. While the main house was not used as a location in the film, its subterranean garage stands in for Tony Stark's infamous basement garage in the film, where Stark's Iron Man suit was created. Alicia Keys' Razor House masterpiece The gorgeous glass house has a minimalist and sleek appearance. Sprawling almost 11,000 square feet (1,021 sqm), the main house boasts four bedrooms, six bathrooms, various lounges and a chic kitchen. Of course, the rooms are lined with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that allow for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. We love Alicia's pink piano and choice of brightly coloured artwork in this living space. Alicia Keys' Razor House masterpiece Elsewhere you'll find a library with a glass and steel pool table, a movie theatre, a rooftop entertaining deck, an infinity pool, and a detached two-bedroom guesthouse. Widely considered an architectural masterpiece for its futuristic design along with its ability to connect with the surrounding nature, we all agree this surreal property is one of the coolest we've had the pleasure of snooping inside. Derek Jeter's New York castle One of baseball's all-time greats, Derek Jeter was instrumental in securing five World Series titles for the New York Yankees over his 20-year MLB career with the team. He earned 14 All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves, and five Silver Slugger awards before retiring from professional baseball in 2014. But it wasn't because he was sporting royalty that he decided to buy a castle. He'd actually grown up there… Derek Jeter's New York castle Jeter bought the four-acre (1.6 ha) property on the New York side of Greenwood Lake in 2002, but it wasn't the first time the Yankees captain had fallen under its spell. Jeter spent many childhood summers at the castle, swimming and playing sports, as his maternal grandfather, William Connors, had been adopted by former owners John and Julia Tiedemann. Built in the early 1900s by a New York doctor, Rudolph Gudewill, the New Jersey couple bought the property in 1952, renaming it Tiedemann Castle, and using it as a base for their 13 children, including Jeter's grandfather William, until the estate was sold in 1996. Derek Jeter's New York castle Originally two castles, today the master castle has a connected tower and guest castle with many stunning features, including a soaring wood-beamed ceiling in the great room, large stone fireplaces, a stone turret and a stone bridge traversing a lagoon. There's also an infinity pool, a man-made waterfall, and even a Widow's Walk (a railed, rooftop platform often found on 19th-century North American coastal houses). The former New York Yankees shortstop spent a fortune renovating the home, which had been partitioned into apartments when he purchased it in the early 2000s. Derek Jeter's New York castle Measuring almost 9,000 square feet (836 sqm), the main house has six bedrooms, seven full and five half bathrooms, a great room, four kitchens, a den, a games room, a sun room, a formal dining room, an office, a gym and a family room with a bar. Despite the time and effort he put into the property, the baseball Hall of Famer listed the castle in 2018 for nearly $15 million (£11.6m), finally selling it in June 2024 for close to the $6.3 million (£4.9m) asking price.
