Latest news with #F**kin'Problems
Business Insider
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Rihanna revealed her third pregnancy at the Met Gala. Here's a complete timeline of her relationship with A$AP Rocky.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have been close friends and collaborators for over a decade. Rocky confirmed their relationship in May 2021, calling Rihanna "the one." The musicians are expecting their third child to join sons RZA and Riot. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky became partners nearly a decade after they teamed up for the first time. Throughout their friendship and blossoming romance, Rihanna kept busy with chart-topping songs like "Work" and "We Found Love" — as well as billion-dollar companies like Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty — while Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, also built a formidable reputation in the music industry with hits like " F**kin' Problems" and "Sundress." The two artists have always been supportive of each other's careers, whether starring together in music videos or partnering up for skincare campaigns. They finally confirmed their rumored romance in 2021 and welcomed their first child the following year. Here's a complete timeline of Rihanna and Rocky's relationship so far. Ashley Simone Johnson contributed reporting to this article. September 6, 2012: They perform together at the MTV Video Music Awards Rihanna and Rocky first paired up when she tapped him to feature on the remix of her song, " Cockiness (Love It)," which was released online on September 7, 2012. The day before, they performed their remix together at the VMAs, where Rocky grabbed Rihanna's butt and gave her a peck on the cheek. Rihanna later told Vogue the PDA wasn't planned. "He grabbed my ass on stage. That was not part of the rehearsal!" she revealed. "I was like, 'What are you doing!?'" She also said her team was shocked when she didn't get upset: "My manager was like, 'Oh, God, she must like this guy a little bit. She never lets this shit slide.'" March 2013: Rocky joins Rihanna on tour Rihanna recruited the "Goldie" rapper to be her opening act on the Diamonds World Tour. The tour included 28 stops and ended on May 5, 2013. April 10, 2013: Rocky denies dating rumors Rocky clarified his relationship status while on set for A$AP Ferg's "Work" remix video. "Yeah, I expected people to say that me and Rihanna were sleeping around. We're just cool," he told MTV. "Man, dudes be tryin' to front like they tappin' Rihanna's [anatomy] and all that, but they don't be hittin' it." "I aint hittin' it either. I'm just cool with her. I don't even look at her like that. She's sexy, but I'm good," he continued. "That's really a friend. She supports me, man. She's bringing me out, she ain't have to do that. That girl came to my Coachella a year ago. I got nothing but love for Rih Rih; that's the homey right there. I ain't tryin' to get in no trouble with no Rihanna rumors." September 2013: Rihanna stars in Rocky's 'Fashion Killa' music video Rihanna starred as Rocky's love interest in his video for "Fashion Killa," a single from his debut studio album, "Long. Live. A$AP." In an interview with 106 & Park, the rapper was asked why he chose Rihanna to be in his video, to which he replied, "She's a fashion killa in my eyes. I respect her jigginess. I respect her fashion sense." He added: "The chemistry was just organic. We were cool, we were chilling, it was whatever. We were faded. We were having fun." While filming the music video, they took to Instagram to post "couple-y" behind-the-scenes photos, according to Teen Vogue. At this time, however, Rocky was reportedly dating Chanel Iman. May 27, 2015: Rocky discusses his breakup with Iman and his relationship with Rihanna In an interview with Hot 97, the rapper opened up about his split from the model after nearly two years of dating. "I was so in love. To this day, it's all good. I think for me, we're young and it was something that was so real that it was so serious," he explained. "I would say perfect girl, wrong time. I'm not OK with losing her, but that's the way of the world. It's not meant to work right now." When asked about a potential romance with Rihanna, he replied, "It never happened. If it happened, then it would have happened. We didn't do that." "You never know," Rocky continued. "That's not what I'm looking forward to. I'm looking forward to the friendship that I already have with all these females because life is so complicated." June 2018: The duo are photographed looking cozy during Paris Fashion Week The pair sat side-by-side in the front row at a Louis Vuitton show. They were photographed smiling and getting close, Rocky's arm draped around Rihanna. At the time, Rihanna was apparently dating Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel, while Rocky had recently been linked to Kendall Jenner. September 2018: Rocky attends Rihanna's Diamond Ball The rapper attended the annual event in New York City to support Rihanna's foundation, which helps raise funds to improve healthcare and education programs worldwide. January 2019: Rocky opens up about his love life During an interview on The Angie Martinez Show, Rocky confirmed he was in a new relationship with a "regular" girl. "I prefer long-term friendships and relationships and acquaintances as opposed to one-night stands or just going out with somebody, then having them be your ex and hating them," he said. "That's why, for me, if I get involved with a female, nine times out of 10, she's going to be in my life from that point moving forward." At the time, Rocky was rumored to be dating Top Shop model Jasmine Daniels. Eight months later, however, he stepped out with Brazilian model Daiane Sodré. Later that year, Rocky revealed he's "been a sex addict for some time." "These are things people stay away from, they don't like to admit. I can't be embarrassed about it. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I won't do nothing that I'm not proud speaking of," he told Martinez during an episode of "Untold Stories of Hip Hop." When Martinez asked if he's "capable of a monogamous relationship," Rocky replied, "Yes, of course." September 2019: Rocky attends the Diamond Ball again The "Babushka Boi" rapper came out to support his friend's charity event for the second year in a row. December 2, 2019: Rocky and Rihanna pose for red carpet photos at the British Fashion Awards The superstars were by each other's sides for yet another event, the British Fashion Awards, where Rihanna accepted the Urban Luxe award for her Fenty sportswear. Rihanna shared a series of photos on Instagram to mark the occasion, including two photos of herself with Rocky on the red carpet. She wrote in the caption, "Thank you @asaprocky for representing us on the carpet and always being so supportive of @Fenty !!" December 11, 2019: Rihanna is spotted in the crowd at Rocky's concert in Stockholm Shortly after Rihanna was reportedly hanging out with Rocky's entourage after his Rolling Loud set in New York City, the beauty mogul was spotted in the crowd at the rapper's concert in Sweden. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . January 17, 2020: They hang out at the 2020 Yams Day Benefit Concert Following her widely reported split from Jameel, Rihanna was seen hanging out with Rocky and Drake at the annual charity concert, which Rocky organizes and headlines with his musical group, A$AP Mob. Later that same day, Rihanna and Rocky were photographed sharing laughs while attending a concert in New York, according to The Sun. February 11, 2020: They share a meal at Nice Guy amid reports of 'hooking up' The pair organized a clandestine meet-up at the West Hollywood restaurant Nice Guy. As reported by OK! Magazine, they arrived separately, and Rocky kept his hood over his head throughout dinner. A few days prior, an anonymous source told Us Weekly, "Rihanna and A$AP are hanging out and hooking up. They're having fun and have always had chemistry." Summer 2020: Their relationship becomes serious during a cross-country road trip In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Rihanna confirmed that it "took a while" for Rocky to get out of the "friend zone," but said they began dating at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. That summer, they drove from Los Angeles to New York together in a tour bus. "He became my family in that time," she said. According to Vogue editor Chioma Nnadi, "They'd park and Rihanna would grill barefoot while Rocky tie-dyed T-shirts picked up at the gas station." "I love the simple things but also the grand adventures," Rihanna told Nnadi. "There's no pretentious my-brand-your-brand bullshit, it's just us living. I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side." July 2020: Rihanna recruits Rocky for her Fenty Skin campaign The two artists did a photo shoot together to promote the Fenty Beauty founder's new skincare line. August 26, 2020: Rocky interviews Rihanna for Vogue During a filmed interview, the two seemed giddy and couldn't stop laughing as Rihanna answered 15 questions from Rocky, mainly about fashion and skincare. At one point, Rihanna told the rapper he has "pretty skin." She also asked him about the hardest part about working on her Fenty Skin campaign, to which he replied, "I think the hardest part about working with you is not goofin' off and laughing the whole time." "Like, this shit is comedy. That's the hardest part," he continued. "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, you know, work at the end of the day." At the end of the interview, Rocky thanked Rihanna for "identifying my beauty as a man." "I appreciate you, like for real, for real," he continued. "It was good catching up with you and everything." November 30, 2020: People magazine confirms reports of their romance After months of dating rumors, an anonymous source told People that Rihanna and Rocky had made their relationship official. At the time, neither star directly corroborated this claim. Late 2020: They grab dinner in New York and stroll around the city together In November 2020, Rihanna and Rocky were seen having dinner with a group of friends at the Beatrice Inn, a restaurant in the West Village, according to Page Six. The following month, the couple was spotted walking side-by-side at night, wearing winter coats and masks. An anonymous source told People, "They've been inseparable the past few weeks," adding, "It's a new relationship, but they both seem very into it." December 29, 2020: Rocky meets Rihanna's family in Barbados During the Christmas holiday, Rihanna brought Rocky on vacation to Barbados, her home country. TMZ published photos of the couple jet skiing, tubing, and going on dinner dates. They were also photographed kissing on a boat, all but confirming their romantic relationship. Rihanna later told Vogue that she brought Rocky home to meet her family. "My mother has a really good read on people. She observes first and then she'll move slowly. I guess I'm like that too," she said. "There are some guys that I've dated that she won't even look at to this day. But she was charmed by him from the jump." After returning to New York in January, the couple was seen having dinner with a group of friends at the Italian restaurant Emilio's Ballato, according to E! News. A few months later, their courtship was still going strong; they attended a dinner party in April at the Los Angeles hot spot Delilah. May 19, 2021: Rocky confirms their romantic relationship and calls Rihanna 'the one' In a cover story for GQ, the rapper called Rihanna "my lady" and "the love of my life," officially confirming the dating rumors. "So much better when you got 'the one.' She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones," he said. "I think when you know, you know. She's the one." A post shared by GQ (@gq) Rocky also revealed that Rihanna had "absolutely" inspired some of his new music and has given feedback on his working projects. "It's important to have somebody that you can bounce those creative juices and ideas off of. It's just a different point of view," he said. The Harlem-born hitmaker even discussed parenthood, saying he's "absolutely" ready to become a father, "if that's in my destiny." "I think I'd be an incredible, remarkably, overall amazing dad," he told GQ. "I would have a very fly child. Very." June 27, 2021: Rocky literally sweeps Rihanna off her feet During a date night in Manhattan, the self-titled "Pretty Boy Flacko" scooped Rihanna up and carried her through the Lower East Side, according to TMZ. July 10, 2021: Rihanna and Rocky are spotted filming a new project in New York City The musicians were seen hugging and holding hands as they took a stroll through the Bronx with a film crew. The following day, the couple was photographed sitting and smiling on a fire escape in the same borough, film crew on hand. They coordinated with colorful, fuzzy attire: Rihanna donned a pink oversized coat, while Rocky wore a puffy green Eskimo hat. Later that month, the pair traveled to Florida together. They dined at Miami's World Famous House of Mac and had dinner with the restaurant's owner, Derrick Turton, according to the Daily Mail. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. What is your job title? (1 of 2) Entry level position Project manager Management Senior management Executive management Student Self-employed Retired Other Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . September 6, 2021: Nicki Minaj shares a photo with Rihanna and Rocky The happy couple spent an evening hanging out at the Petty residence, posing for a cozy photo on the sofa with Minaj, as well as her husband and son. A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj) Minaj posted the group shot on Instagram, writing in the caption, "Love her downnnnnnn." She also added the hashtags "Queen Rih" and "Caribbean girls run it." September 13, 2021: They make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala The couple arrived late to the famed fundraiser, but made plenty of time to pose together on the red carpet. The Fenty Beauty founder wore an all-black Balenciaga ensemble for the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme, while the stylish rapper wore a patterned multicolored quilt designed by ERL. Rocky later took off the quilt to reveal a suit underneath, while his girlfriend looked on lovingly. It was the first time Rihanna had made an official public appearance with a man since the 2013 Grammy Awards. January 31, 2022: The couple reveals they're expecting their first child Rihanna and Rocky were photographed walking hand-in-hand through his hometown of Harlem on January 28. In the set of photos — published by Page Six, the Daily Mail, and People three days later — Rihanna's coat was strategically unbuttoned to reveal her growing baby bump, which she adorned with a bejeweled body chain. It would be the first child for both Rihanna and Rocky, who had previously discussed their eagerness for parenthood. Back in March 2020, Rihanna told British Vogue that she planned to have "three or four" kids in the next 10 years, even if she didn't have a partner. During her third trimester, Rihanna told Vogue that she and Rocky weren't necessarily planning to start a family, "but certainly not planning against it." "I don't know when I ovulate or any of that type of shit. We just had fun," she said. "And then it was just there on the test. I didn't waste any time. I called him inside and showed him. Then I was in the doctor's office the next morning and our journey began." May 5, 2022: Rihanna stars in the music video for Rocky's 'D.M.B.' The "D.M.B." music video was revealed to be the project that Rocky and Rihanna were filming in July 2021. In one scene, Rocky wears a grill that clearly says "Marry me?" while Rihanna wears one that says "I do." In another scene, Rocky removes a red veil from Rihanna's face, reminiscent of a wedding. The couple then walks down a hallway arm-in-arm while people clap and throw flower petals. Rocky wrote and directed the video, which he billed as a "ghetto love tale" on his Instagram. May 13, 2022: Rihanna gives birth to a baby boy According to reports, Rihanna and Rocky welcomed a son on May 13, 2022, although the news didn't make headlines for another week. Five months later, the couple still hadn't shared their son's name. "We just didn't get around to it yet really," Rihanna told the Washington Post in November, per Hypebae. "We've just been living, but I guess there's a certain freedom that comes with kind of just, like, getting it out there." December 19, 2022: Rihanna shares the first video of their son For her TikTok debut, Rihanna shared the first look at her baby boy in a car seat, laughing and smiling at the camera. Rihanna had previously told Entertainment Tonight that her son is a "happy baby" and that waking up to his face is her favorite part of motherhood. February 12, 2023: Rihanna reveals her second pregnancy while headlining the Super Bowl halftime show Rihanna took the stage at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in a red jumpsuit — strategically unzipped to reveal her growing baby bump. A representative for the singer confirmed her pregnancy to The Hollywood Reporter immediately following the performance. February 15, 2023: Their family is featured on the cover of British Vogue Rihanna, Rocky, and their son posed for the magazine's March 2023 issue, shot by photographers Inez & Vinoodh. For her first in-depth interview since giving birth, Rihanna opened up about her "legendary" experience with motherhood thus far. "It's everything. You really don't remember life before, that's the craziest thing ever," she said. "You literally try to remember it — and there are photos of my life before — but the feeling, the desires, the things that you enjoy, everything, you just don't identify with it because you don't even allow yourself mentally to get that far, because... Because it doesn't matter." View this post on Instagram A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) She also said becoming parents has made her and Rocky stronger as a couple. "We're best friends with a baby," she said. "We have to be on the same page, but we've always kind of had that in our relationship. Everything changes when you have a baby but I wouldn't say it's done anything but made us closer." The couple continued to decline to reveal their son's name, insisting on calling him "baby" in the presence of Vogue's reporter. May 1, 2023: Once again, Rihanna and Rocky walk the Met Gala red carpet together Rihanna showed off her growing baby bump while wearing custom Valentino Haute Couture. May 10, 2023: Their son's name is revealed to be RZA One year after Rihanna gave birth to her son, The Daily Mail obtained a copy of his birth certificate and revealed his name: RZA Athelston Mayers. His first name is likely a tribute to the legendary hip-hop artist RZA (pronounced "Rizza"), leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. August 2023: The couple welcomes their second child, a son named Riot Rose On August 21, 2023, TMZ broke the news that Rihanna had given birth earlier in the month, although the exact date isn't known. People later confirmed the report, citing anonymous sources close to the couple. The following month, Access Hollywood obtained a copy of the birth certificate, which listed the baby boy's name as Riot Rose Mayers. He shares a first name with Rocky's 2023 single " Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)." Rihanna later revealed the name was proposed by Pharrell Williams, who produced Rocky's song. "He gave us this name thinking it was going to be a girl, because he had seen something online," she told Harper's Bazaar. "Pharrell is very deep. He's not surface. He will never say anything and just leave it there with a full stop. He will have the entire history: the energy, the time, the month that it is." May 5, 2025: Rihanna reveals her third pregnancy at the Met Gala Before arriving at the Met Gala, Rihanna was photographed outside the Carlyle Hotel wearing a form-fitting Miu Miu set that showed off her baby bump. Hours later, Rihanna arrived on the Met Gala red carpet in a carefully tailored Marc Jacobs suit dress, nailing the theme of " Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." Rocky, who was a co-chair for the event, told reporters on the red carpet that it felt "amazing" to reveal the family's news. "It's time that we show the people what we was cooking up," he said, per the Associated Press. "I'm glad everybody's happy for us 'cause we definitely happy, you know." However, Rihanna also shut down wedding rumors during a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight. Asked if her recent bridal collection for Savage X Fenty meant she had "another milestone" to share with fans, Rihanna replied, "No, girl, you know I don't keep secrets very well."
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Acquitted of Assault Charges, A$AP Rocky Thanks the Jury for 'Saving My Life'
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 1988–present A$AP Rocky was found not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The rapper was acquitted by a Los Angeles jury on February 18 after he was accused of shooting at his former friend and collaborator Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, following a 2021 confrontation. Both men were part of the A$AP Mob rap collective. After the verdict was delivered, Rocky jumped into the court gallery to embrace his family and his longtime partner, Rihanna, with whom he shares two children: RZA and Riot. 'Thank y'all for saving my life,' he told the jurors. The 36-year-old, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faced up to 24 years in prison. During the three-week trial, Rocky's lawyer argued that he was carrying a prop gun that only fired blanks on the night in question and said it was something he regularly held when he didn't have security. His defense, as well as a witness, maintained that he only aimed the gun at Relli to stop him from attacking a mutual friend. Relli claimed a bullet grazed his hand but didn't sustain major injuries. Investigators didn't uncover any evidence at the scene of the altercation. The jury's acquittal means Rocky won't face any jail time, but his legal woes aren't over just yet. The $30 million civil lawsuit Relli filed against him is still ongoing. A$AP Rocky is a Grammy-nominated rapper best known for his experimental approach to hip-hop music, penchant for collaborations, and unique fashion sense. The most prominent member of the A$AP Mob collective, Rocky burst onto the scene in 2011 with his critically acclaimed mixtape that ushering in a new sound of East Coast rap. His chart-topping debut album, followed in 2013. Among his most popular songs are the Grammy-nominated 'F**kin' Problems,' G-Eazy's 'No Limit' also with Cardi B, and Selena Gomez's 'Good For You.' A$AP Rocky's fourth album, Don't Be Dumb, is expected to arrive in early 2025. Beyond music, the rapper is known for his years-long relationship with fellow musician Rihanna. FULL NAME: Rakim Athelston MayersBORN: October 3, 1988BIRTHPLACE: New York, New YorkCHILDREN: RZA and RiotASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Libra Rakim Athelston Mayers, better known as A$AP Rocky, was born on October 3, 1988, in New York City's Harlem neighborhood to Barbadian parents. Both he and one of his sisters were named after their mom's hip-hop heroes, Eric B & Rakim; his sister is Erika B. Rocky started rapping at 8 years old but only became serious about his craft a decade later. Despite his New York roots, he was a fan of Southern hip-hop while growing up, which explains the pronounced drawl in his rapping style. When Rocky was 12, his father was jailed for drug dealing. A year later, his 20-year-old brother, Ricky, was fatally shot by a rival dealer. Rocky was 13 at the time and on his way to school when his mom rushed over to tell him the tragic news. Despite his brother's fate, the lure of the streets proved too powerful to resist for teenage Rocky, who started selling weed before gravitating to crack. But he was 'never no big-time hustler,' he told the journalist Dorian Lynskey in 2015, making just enough to 'support my studio time' but quitting dealing before getting sucked too far in. 'That lifestyle's wack,' Rocky said. 'I don't trouble the law no more.' With his father in jail and his brother dead, Rocky, his mom, and two sisters spent time living in shelters. They moved around frequently: Harlem, the Bronx, Philadelphia, and North Carolina. He saw 'a lot of crazy sh––' growing up, he told the Red Bull Academy in 2015. When he was 13 and living in east Harlem, older boys would knock passing delivery men off their bikes to 'test their strength.' 'I was a kid, so I'm like, 'That's how a man tests his strength?'' he said. 'True story.' In 2007, a 17-year-old Rocky joined the A$AP Mob, a sprawling collective of rappers, producers, and video directors cofounded by the impresario A$AP Yams, Harlem's answer to Malcolm McLaren. It was then that he acquired the moniker A$AP Rocky, the first part of which stands for three different things: Always Strive And Prosper, Assassinating Snitches and Police, and Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose. Rocky worked with three of A$AP Mob's producers in particular to develop the spacey soundscapes underpinning his raps: Clams Casino, A$AP Ty Beats, and SpaceGhostPurpp. He self-released the singles 'Peso' (on which he dropped the names of fashion designers like Rick Owens and Raf Simons, a future collaborator) and 'Purple Swag' in 2011, sparking a major-label bidding war that began even before he had released his first mixtape, That same year, he signed to the Sony/RCA subdivision of Polo Grounds Music for $3 million. It was a combined deal incorporating his solo projects and those of his collective, on their record label A$AP Worldwide. The split was reportedly $1.7 million for Rocky, $1.3 million for A$AP Worldwide. Rocky's debut solo album, came out on January 13, 2013. Its many guests included Kendrick Lamar, Florence Welch, 2 Chainz, Joey Bada$$, Santigold, and A$AP Ferg. The album topped the Billboard 200 and generated the singles 'Fashion Killa' and 'F**ckn' Problems,' which became the album's biggest hit. With the featured guests Drake, 2 Chainz, and Lamar, it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song, and has sold the equivalent of 8 million copies in the United States alone. Although 2013 was a vintage year for Rocky, his successes were bittersweet because his father had died in December 2012. Rocky told Vice that his father had been a big influence on him fashion-wise. 'He was a clean-cut kind of guy… He told me to always be yourself and always feel comfortable with whatever decision you make because you chose to do it. Just because something doesn't fit doesn't mean it's not right.' Rocky's second album saw a change of direction. was released on May 26, 2015. Co-produced by the eclectic Grammy-winning super-producer Danger Mouse, it featured guest appearances from Kanye West, Future, MIA, Mark Ronson, and— unexpectedly yet triumphantly—the veteran rocker Rod Stewart on the single 'Everyday.' There is more than a whiff of debauched 1970s rock star about Rocky, which might explain his surprise collaboration with Stewart, whom he described as 'like seeing yourself 40 years older and white.' The album also featured singer Joe Fox, who was homeless when he approached Rocky on the streets of London and tried to sell him a CD. Instead, Rocky asked Fox to sing for him and was so impressed he immediately invited him into a studio to record. Fox ended up contributing to five songs. Musically, sounds much trippier than Rocky's previous outing. Its psychedelic influence made manifest on the single 'LSD,' which later earned a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video. In interviews Rocky spoke candidly about his use of the hallucinogenic drug: 'It helps me cope with life,' he told Billboard. 'I've been doing this stuff since I got into the industry. People are scared to talk about it.' But as with his debut album, Rocky's year was scarred by loss. His creative partner, friend and mentor, A$AP Yams died at age 26 from an overdose in January 2015. Yams had described Rocky as the Luke Skywalker to his Yoda. His passing made Rocky take stock of his life and career, according to an interview he gave to the UK's Guardian newspaper in July 2015. 'It was always good to have that second opinion,' Rocky said. 'To have my best friend there agreeing with me, let me know I wasn't crazy.' Two months after Yams died, Rocky acknowledged to The New York Times that his friend had 'always had a struggle with drugs' but also that his death might have been caused by sleep apnea: 'There would be times that I would catch Yams choking on his own tongue,' he said. Three years after the release of his previous studio album, Rocky followed up in May 2018 with the long-awaited Testing. Featuring such collaborators as Kid Cudi, French Montana, Kodak Black, and Frank Ocean, the album drew mixed reviews, with some critics questioning the cohesiveness of the music and ideas put forth, though most credited the rapper for his attempts at experimentation. His upcoming album, Don't Be Dumb, has faced several delays and is expected to come out in early 2025. The album's second single 'Tailor Swif,' released in August 2024, received a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video. By 2015, Rocky was riding high on his success, with an apartment in Manhattan's swanky Soho neighborhood and a house in Hollywood, California. By June, he had made his acting debut in director Rick Famuyiwa's coming-of-age movie Dope. He played a small-time drug dealer, a role he had long since outgrown in real life. 'I think all of us are that kind of guy—all of us rappers, to a certain extent' he told Billboard. 'I never want to be that guy. That dude's corny. He can't even dress!' This isn't a criticism that could be easily leveled at Rocky. Although he has insisted he doesn't want to become a fashion designer, he has nonetheless embarked on a number of high-profile collaborations. 'Rocky has a very specific aesthetic,' designer Jonathan Anderson, with whom the rapper collaborated on a 2016 menswear capsule collection, told Complex magazine. 'Ultimately, his style is more than just what he wears. It's the way he carries himself, it's his interests… It's all about how you put your own personal twist on things.' Rocky's passion for fashion was there for all to hear on over the course of which he name-checked more than 20 brand names, including Hermès, Prada, and Saint Laurent. This is something he has done from the get-go, and it has paid dividends. Having dropped the names of designers Rick Owens and Raf Simons into the lyrics of his breakthrough single 'Peso' back in 2011, he went on to become friends with both. The following year A$AP Mob teamed up with the West Coast label Black Scale on a capsule collection of T-shirts and sweaters; while Rocky partnered with the designer Jeremy Scott on an all-black pair of Adidas Wings trainers. Rocky has increasingly revealed an artistic, eccentric, dandified side of his character as he has gravitated away from Harlem towards downtown Manhattan's creative milieu. Now a front-row fixture in the fashion world, he has collaborated with the designers Raf Simons and Jonathan Anderson, and in 2016 became the face of Dior Homme—the first person of color to represent the luxury menswear brand. By 2017, he was a front-row regular at fashion shows by Calvin Klein, Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Dior. He has since turned heads with his themed outfits at the annual Met Gala. As of January 2025, Rocky has an estimated net worth is estimated at $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. A$AP Rocky confirmed his relationship with pop superstar Rihanna in November 2020. The pair were friends and musical collaborators for a decade before they started dating. Rocky went on tour with Rihanna in 2013, and she was featured his 'Fashion Killa' music video later that year. Rocky opened up about his relationship in a GQ interview in May 2021, in which he called Rihanna 'the one' and 'the love of his life,' adding, 'I think when you know, you know.' The following year, they welcomed their son, RZA, in May 2022. Later that month, he told Dazed that he wants to raise his children to be open-minded. 'I'm not trying to describe a saint, but realistically, I just want a cool child with cool parents,' he said. Rocky and Rihanna soon welcomed another child. Their daughter, Riot, was born in August 2023. Rocky was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden, in early July 2019, after a video clip surfaced of the rapper and his entourage fighting two men in the street. Rocky posted additional footage to Instagram, which showed his crew repeatedly asking the two men to stop following them. Despite his claims of self-defense—and an attempted intervention by then-President Donald Trump—Rocky was deemed a flight risk and confined to a detention center until he could stand trial for assault. In August, Rocky was found guilty of assault and ordered to pay damages to one of the victims. He was also given a suspended sentence that capped his jail time at the month already spent behind bars. Three years later, Rocky was arrested in April 2022 over a confrontation with his former friend A$AP Relli. Accused of shooting at Relli, the rapper was charged in August with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Rocky maintained that the weapon was a prop gun that only fired blanks and was used in defense of a mutual friend. Following a three-week trial, he was found not guilty in February 2025. Rocky still faces a $30 million civil lawsuit Relli filed against him. You got two types of rappers. The celebrity and the artist. I'm famous, I'm popular—I'm just not a celebrity. I'm an artist. In my sixties, I don't want to be just remembered as that kid from back in the day that had cool sh––. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! 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