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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nA$AP Rocky, Rihanna share emotional hug after ‘not guilty’ verdict<\/p>\n
A Los Angeles jury found A$AP Rocky not guilty for shooting at a former friend in 2021.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
It may not have been love at first sight for A$AP Rocky<\/a> and Rihanna<\/a>, but A$AP Mommy had a clear vision.<\/p>\n The Grammy-nominated rapper, who’s been dating Rihanna<\/a> since 2019, opened up about the beginning of their relationship during an interview on The New York Times podcast “Popcast,” according to a preview clip<\/a> shared on Wednesday, Jan. 14.<\/p>\n “My mother used to say [stuff] like, ‘I know you like this girl that [you’re] with right now, but I want you with Riri,'” Rocky, 37, told hosts Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli. “I used to be like, ‘Mom, why [do] you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that. Like, be cool, Mom. Like, that’s just my friend. Chill.”<\/p>\n A$AP Rocky and Rihanna first teased their chemistry in the early 2010s when Rocky appeared on a 2012 remix of Rihanna’s song “Cockiness (Love It).”<\/a> The pair later performed the sensual track at the MTV Video Music Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n The following year, Rihanna guest-starred in A$AP Rocky’s music video for “Fashion Killa.”<\/a> The Grammy-winning pop singer also enlisted Rocky as an opening act for her Diamonds World Tour.<\/p>\n Despite their burgeoning friendship, A$AP Rocky revealed on “Popcast” that it was his mother, Rina “Renee” Black, who pushed for him to start a romance with Rihanna. “Mothers know best,” the rapper quipped, adding that his mother described Rihanna as “real.”<\/p>\n “She was always my boo, you know what I’m saying?” Rocky reflected. “I’m thankful that she was put in my life at that time because I think any time prior to that, I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was either.”<\/p>\n The pair began dating in late 2019<\/a>, following the Barbadian singer’s three-year romance with Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel. The couple has since welcomed three children: sons RZA Athleston<\/a>, 3, and Riot Rose<\/a>, 2, and four-month-old daughter Rocki Irish<\/a>.<\/p>\n “It was just like we were on the same page,” Rocky said. “Born the same year. My dad is from her country. My family, when I go back, I get to see both sides of my family. It’s so many similarities, it’s just funny. We laugh about it a lot.”<\/p>\n