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A$AP Rocky<\/a>\u00a0is celebrating a major milestone. On Oct. 3, the rapper turned 35, and is now entering a new year with his girlfriend, <\/span>Rihanna<\/a>, and their two sons by his side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A$AP’s big birthday came two months after\u00a0ET confirmed that he and Rihanna\u00a0<\/span>welcomed their second child<\/a>. It was later <\/span>revealed Rihanna gave birth to a son named Riot Rose<\/a>.\u00a0And on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, <\/span>the power couple released photos of their adorable family.<\/a><\/p>\n Rihanna initially\u00a0<\/span>dropped the big pregnancy news<\/a> in grand fashion back in February 2022 by revealing her baby bump during <\/span>her epic Super Bowl LLVII halftime performance<\/a>. Now, let’s take a look at how their friendship turned into a romance.<\/span><\/p>\n The two have sparked rumors of a relationship since they performed onstage together for the first time in 2012, but it wasn’t until almost a decade later that the duo publicly became a couple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The pair were longtime friends before they became lovers, which A$AP confirmed by publicly\u00a0<\/span>declaring Rihanna as the love of his life<\/a>\u00a0in an interview with\u00a0<\/span>GQ\u00a0<\/span><\/em>in May 2021. But before that, both had a few headline-making relationships with other people.<\/span><\/p>\n Rihanna was publicly linked to <\/span>Chris Brown<\/a> and Drake, whom she reportedly dated off and on from 2009 to 2016.\u00a0Meanwhile, A$AP was previously\u00a0linked to Kendall Jenner, Chanel Iman, Iggy Azalea and Teyana Taylor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Still, the pair’s romance seems inevitable. From their <\/span>musical collaborations<\/a>, similar love of fashion and beauty and their undeniable chemistry, it’s no surprise that they’ve\u00a0created a beautiful life together and even welcomed a child together in 2022.\u00a0Keep reading for a full timeline of the couple’s relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n The pair linked up for their first professional collaboration\u00a0at the MTV Video Music Awards\u00a0in 2012, where they performed a remix of Rihanna’s “Cockiness (Love It).”<\/span><\/p>\n The FENTY Beauty founder told\u00a0<\/span>Vogue<\/em><\/a>\u00a0in May that\u00a0<\/span>her romantic relationship with A$AP<\/a>\u00a0was slow-going at first because “people don\u2019t get out of the friend zone very easily with me.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “And I certainly took a while to get over how much I know him and how much he knows me because we also know how much trouble we can land each other in,” she told\u00a0<\/span>Vogue<\/span><\/em>, revealing that a moment during their\u00a0first encounter at the MTV Video Music Awards\u00a0in 2012 was a prime example of\u00a0what kind of trouble they get into. The singer recalls\u00a0when A$AP joined her for the performance of her hit single, “Cockiness,” and\u00a0grabbed her butt as they were dancing side by side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “That was not part of the rehearsal!\u00a0I was like, ‘What are you doing!?'”\u00a0she said, admitting that\u00a0her team was braced\u00a0to deal with her anger after the incident but instead, she let it go. “My manager was like, ‘Oh, God, she must like this guy a little bit. She never lets this s**t slide.'”<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout the years, the two continued to support each other’s various ventures. In 2013, A$AP joined Rihanna as an opening act on her <\/span>Diamonds World Tour<\/span><\/em> from March to May and again for a handful of dates in October and November.<\/span><\/p>\n In September of that year, Rihanna also appeared in A$AP’s music video for “Fashion Killa,”\u00a0playing\u00a0his girlfriend in the foreshadowing video. The song includes\u00a0the line, “Her attitude Rihanna, she get it from her mama.”<\/span><\/p>\n They also attended the same events, though never together as a couple. The two notably caused a stir when they appeared on the\u00a0red carpet at the Fashion Awards together in December 2019, sparking romance rumors after their many years of friendship.<\/span><\/p>\n In July 2020,\u00a0A$AP appeared in Rihanna’s Fenty Skin campaign\u00a0alongside Lil Nas X.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “To me, in the industry, he is one of the guys who everybody loves [his] skin. I always wanted to know, ‘How the heck do you have better skin than half these girls? I mean, what do you do?'” Rihanna told ET about working with A$AP on the campaign.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I wanted men to be represented, because this skincare line is gender neutral. I want it to be for everyone, so you don’t get men\u00a0scared to use skincare,” she continued. “We needed that male representation in the campaign, so Rocky and Lil Nas X… we wanted that representation, so men knew it was OK.” \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In August 2020,\u00a0the duo got flirty in a video for\u00a0<\/span>GQ<\/span><\/em>, during which A$AP revealed that the hardest part of working with Rihanna was “not goofing off and laughing the whole time.”<\/span><\/p>\n “The hardest part is not having too much fun,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Another cute moment came when Rihanna asked A$AP about his skin type. “Handsome,” he quipped in response.<\/span><\/p>\n Two months later, the pair was spotted with a group of friends at the Beatrice Inn in New York, an eyewitness told ET. According to the eyewitness, Rihanna and A$AP were joined by a few friends for the outing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “The restaurant is not at full capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions, but they have a private room in the back for VIPs and private events and Rihanna, A$AP and their friends sat there for more privacy. They also had the curtain closed as they enjoyed their meal. Rihanna and A$AP were lovely and gracious and nice to the staff. Rihanna\u2019s bodyguards were also there. The group all left together,” the eyewitness said.<\/span><\/p>\n In December of that year,\u00a0a source told ET that <\/span>the duo had begun dating<\/a> after the “Love On the Brain” singer\u00a0reportedly\u00a0<\/span>split from her boyfriend of three years<\/a>, Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “They have always had amazing chemistry and Rihanna relates to A$AP and it feels natural, easy and fun,” the source said.\u00a0“She feels very comfortable around him since they\u2019ve known each other for such a long time and also feels a connection to him because his dad is from Barbados.”<\/span><\/p>\n The couple was later <\/span>spotted celebrating\u00a0Christmas together<\/a> on a private yacht in Barbados with Rihanna’s family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nearly a year later, A$AP opened\u00a0up about his relationship with Rihanna for the first time in\u00a0<\/span>GQ<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The “F**kin’ Problms” rapper called Rihanna “the love of my life” and “my lady.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “[Relationships are] so much better when you got the One,” he told the magazine. “She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones… I think when you know, you know. She’s the One.”<\/span><\/p>\n A source told\u00a0ET, “Rihanna is A$AP Rocky’s dream girl and has been for a while. He’s so in love with her and they have the best time together. They’re always laughing, but also connect with each other on a deep level. They just get each other whether it comes to their senses of humor or career aspirations and more. They have a crazy connection and chemistry and are such a cute, fun, loving couple.”<\/span><\/p>\n In June 2021,\u00a0the “Wild for the Night” rapper <\/span>voiced\u00a0his gratitude for his girlfriend’s support<\/a> to ET\u00a0during the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of his new documentary, <\/span>Stockholm Syndrome<\/span><\/em>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When asked how important it was to have Rihanna’s support for the doc, A$AP said it was “important having that support in real life, you know?”<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s amazing and I’m honestly truly blessed, for real,” A$AP added.<\/span><\/p>\n In September 2021, the couple\u00a0<\/span>made their Met Gala debut<\/a>\u00a0as a couple. Rihanna wore a billowing, black Balenciaga\u00a0gown with\u00a0a large, dramatic collar and an ornate, sparkling BVLGARI diamonds.<\/span><\/p>\n A$AP joined the songstress and brought all the color in an sizable wrap cloak that resembled a knitted quilt, a nod to the night’s theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” an exploration of the nation\u2019s sartorial identity and a deep dive into American ingenuity.<\/span><\/p>\n In January 2022, a source told ET that the singer and rapper <\/span>were\u00a0closer than ever<\/a>, adding that\u00a0they continue to be “inseparable.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Their relationship is in a good place,” the source said. “After a very busy fall with professional commitments, they took some time to relax and unwind and really reconnect with each other.”<\/span><\/p>\n Then, after months of speculation,\u00a0the couple revealed that they were <\/span>expecting their first child<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n They announced the news with a walk through the snowy streets of A$AP’s hometown of Harlem in New York City. Rihanna\u00a0showed\u00a0off her bare baby bump in a pink coat and jeans while she held\u00a0hands with her beau.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A source told ET that the couple felt\u00a0very blessed that they’re having a baby together, and that they\u00a0already considered themselves a family but having a baby together makes that bond even stronger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “They enjoyed keeping the pregnancy a secret for as long as they could, but they’re thrilled to be able to share the news with their fans,” the source said.<\/span><\/p>\n According to another source, Rihanna and A$AP wanted to shoot their pregnancy announcement in Harlem because that’s where A$AP grew up and it’s a place that brings them both a lot of comfort. “They feel really at home in Harlem,” the source said. “His upbringing in Harlem shaped so much of who he is — and it hasn’t always been easy. This was a happy milestone and it felt right to shoot the photos where it all started.”<\/span><\/p>\n The source additionally noted that\u00a0the photos were taken in early morning hours, with Rihanna wearing vintage Chanel.<\/span><\/p>\n “They are such night owls, but they wanted to shoot these pics discreetly,” the source said.\u00a0“It was important for Rihanna to make this announcement on her terms. She couldn’t really hide it any longer!”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In an intimate interview for\u00a0<\/span>Vogue<\/em>‘s\u00a0May cover<\/a>, Rihanna not only bared her baby bump, but she also opened up about her relationship with the rapper.\u00a0The singer said that although the two had begun dating before COVID-19 struck, it was only during the pandemic’s lockdown that they became truly serious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “He became my family in that time,”\u00a0she shared, <\/span>describing\u00a0an “epic road trip” they took<\/a> in the summer of 2020 from Los Angeles to New York. The journey allowed the couple to get away from the glare of public eyes and gave them an intimacy that only comes from domestication.<\/span><\/p>\n “I cooked our food on this little janky grill I bought from Walmart,”\u00a0she remembered. “I still have it, too. It works like nobody\u2019s business. I love the simple things but also the grand adventures. There\u2019s no pretentious my-brand-your-brand bulls**t, it\u2019s just us living. I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side.”<\/span><\/p>\n Her pregnancy is a result of the two “just living,” as the singer revealed that\u00a0<\/span>there was no planning involved<\/a>. “I\u00a0wouldn\u2019t say planning. But certainly not planning against it. I don\u2019t know when I ovulate or any of that type of s**t. We just had fun,” she explained.\u00a0“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\u2019s office the next morning and our journey began.”<\/span><\/p>\n Rihanna openly admitted\u00a0that balance has always been one of her biggest challenges, but told the mag that she was\u00a0ready to tackle whatever came\u00a0her way with a singular focus.<\/span><\/p>\n “My mom handled the three of us with not even close to the amount of resources that I have, so I can absolutely do it. What it looks like? I\u2019m not sure,” she said. But she’s excited to embark on the journey!<\/span><\/p>\n “They’re going to teach me more than I could ever teach them. And I want them to go for it. I want to see who they are in the world, who they become,” she said of her unborn child.\u00a0“Because I\u2019m just here to keep them on the rails\u2014a passenger as much as the driver.”<\/span><\/p>\n While\u00a0Rihanna showed off her keen fashion sense <\/span>with\u00a0her baby bump on display<\/a> and put her twist on maternity styles during date nights,\u00a0<\/span>fashion shows<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>even trips to the Target baby department<\/a>, rumors began circulating around the couple.<\/span><\/p>\n In April,\u00a0Rihanna’s shoe designer, Amina Muaddi, took to Instagram to <\/span>vehemently deny having an affair with<\/a>\u00a0A$AP, calling the cheating rumors “fake gossip” that was “fabricated with such malicious intent.”<\/span><\/p>\n Muaddi, the 36-year-old shoe designer behind the Fenty 2020 collection, said she felt “an unfounded lie” never deserves a response or clarification but, in this instance, she felt compelled to address the rumor because it affected people close to her.<\/span><\/p>\n “I\u2019ve always believed that an unfounded lie spread on social media doesn\u2019t deserve any response or clarification, especially one that is so vile,” she wrote in her statement. “I initially assumed that this fake gossip \u2014 fabricated with such malicious intent \u2014 would not be taken seriously. However in the last 24h I\u2019ve been reminded that we live in a society that is so quick to speak on topics regardless of factual basis and that nothing is off limits. Not even during what should be one of the most beautiful and celebrated times in one\u2019s life.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Therefore I have to speak up as this is not only directed towards me but it is related to people I have a great amount of respect and affection for,” she continued. “While Rih is continuing to live her serene, best dressed pregnancy life and I go back to my business —\u00a0I wish everyone a beautiful Easter weekend!”<\/span><\/p>\n Days later, A$AP was <\/span>arrested\u00a0at Los Angeles International Airport<\/a> for assault with a deadly weapon (firearm) stemming from an alleged incident that took place in November 2021.\u00a0The rapper\u00a0had just returned from a vacation in Barbados with a pregnant\u00a0Rihanna. He was <\/span>later released\u00a0after posting $550,000 bail<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A\u00a0<\/span>source told ET<\/a>\u00a0there was no question or hesitation that Rihanna would stand by A$AP. “When she’s in love with someone,” the source told ET,\u00a0“she’ll do anything for them.”<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to her commitment and trust of him, “Rihanna hasn’t wavered,” the source noted.\u00a0“She loves him. He’s family.”<\/span><\/p>\n However, an arrest was not on their radar. “This arrest was not something they saw coming,” a source previously told ET.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “This drama is the last thing Rihanna needs right now,” that\u00a0<\/span>source shared<\/a>. “She wants to be mellow, relaxed, and focused 100 percent\u00a0on the arrival of her baby — not stressing out!”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rihanna <\/span>gave birth to the couple’s first child<\/a>, a\u00a0baby boy,\u00a0in May 2022.\u00a0A source told ET that Rihanna gave birth to a baby boy in Los Angeles with A$AP by her side, and that the family went to\u00a0rest\u00a0at her Los Angeles home.<\/span><\/p>\n “They have not left each other’s side,” the source said of the couple. “They are over the moon. She’s been looking forward to motherhood for a long time.\u00a0This little boy is going to have the best baby fashion.”<\/span><\/p>\n According to\u00a0<\/span>TMZ<\/a>, who was first to report the news, Rihanna gave birth on May 13 in Los Angeles.<\/span><\/p>\n “Essentially, from one person I became two. You walk into the hospital as a couple and leave as a family of three. It’s nuts,” the singer <\/span>told <\/a>British Vogue<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>in February 2023.\u00a0“And oh, my gosh, those first days are insane. You don’t sleep. At all. Not even if you wanted to. We came home, cold turkey, had no one. It was just us as parents and our baby. Man, you’re a zombie for the most part.\u00a0You’re just going through the motions and even then you’re so paranoid. Because you’re like: they trusted us to come home with this baby?\u00a0No doctors, no nurses, we’re just… going home?”<\/span><\/p>\n Several months after his birth, Rihanna\u00a0<\/span>shared with ET<\/a>\u00a0her favorite part about motherhood so far.<\/span><\/p>\n “Oh my god, the mornings, like, seeing his morning face! Seeing a baby with, like,\u00a0little bags and waking up and they’re just, like, startled. They’re trying to figure out where they\u2019re at. It’s the cutest, it’s my favorite part of the day,” the singer said.<\/span><\/p>\n Rihanna noted that she “cherished” moments like that with her son, also admitting that she has already taken to singing to the baby, making “freestyle” songs\u00a0whenever she can.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “He\u2019s amazing,\u00a0he’s a happy baby,” the new mom shared.<\/span><\/p>\n In December,\u00a0Riri took to TikTok to give the world <\/span>its first look at her baby boy<\/a>Friendship and Frequent Supporters<\/span><\/h3>\n
Friends to Lovers<\/span><\/h3>\n
Starting a Family<\/span><\/h3>\n
Trials and Tribulations\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
And Baby Makes Three!<\/span><\/h3>\n