A$AP Rocky Shares Candid Story of First Meeting Rihanna
Rapper A$AP Rocky took a nostalgic trip down memory lane during a recent television appearance, revealing the surprisingly awkward circumstances surrounding his first encounter with his now long-term girlfriend, global superstar Rihanna. The 37-year-old artist appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, where he opened up about the memorable moment that would eventually lead to their relationship and family.
An 'Embarrassing' Nightclub Introduction
Despite now sharing three children together, Rocky explained that their initial meeting was far from glamorous. The encounter took place outside a New York City nightclub, where the rapper found himself in a rather humiliating situation. "It was crazy. We met outside of a nightclub, ironically, here in New York. I wasn't famous at the time. She was obviously Rihanna," Rocky recounted to host Jimmy Fallon and the studio audience.
The Harlem-born musician detailed how he was being refused entry by club bouncers while accompanied by his friends, the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh and Matthew Williams. "I couldn't get in. The bouncers didn't want to let me in, and I was with my friend, the late great Virgil Abloh, and Matthew Williams," he continued. "We kind of was getting into it with the bouncers and she, kind of, came out and we locked eyes right away."
Rihanna's Unexpected Reaction
Rocky admitted feeling particularly self-conscious about being caught in such an undignified position by the already-famous singer. "And I was just, like, in a daze. And, you know, I was a little embarrassed that she caught me, like, you know, bickering with the guard and stuff like that," he confessed.
When Fallon inquired whether Rihanna had intervened to help him gain entry to the venue, the rapper's response drew laughter from the audience. "No," Rocky simply stated, confirming that the Umbrella hitmaker had left him to resolve the situation with the bouncers on his own.
Promoting New Musical Work
The musician appeared on the popular talk show to promote his latest album, Don't Be Dumb, which marks his fourth studio album and first full-length project in eight years. For his television appearance, Rocky cut a dapper figure in a sophisticated black suit, which he accessorised with a distinctive red polka dot tie featuring the face of former US President John F. Kennedy.
Post-Show Reunion and Family Life
Following his television appearance, Rihanna was photographed meeting Rocky after the show, with the couple subsequently enjoying a movie together. The fashion icon made a striking impression in an animal-print fur coat, complemented by matching heels and a luxurious fur shawl.
The celebrity pair, who have been dating since 2020, have built a substantial family together. They are parents to three children: sons RZA, aged three, and Riot, aged two, along with their newborn daughter, Rocki Irish Mayers, who was born on September 13, 2025. Rihanna announced their daughter's arrival via an Instagram post on September 24, sharing a tender photograph of the sleeping newborn dressed in pink.
The singer had previously revealed her third pregnancy during the 2025 Met Gala last May, continuing the couple's journey from that initial awkward meeting outside a New York nightclub to becoming one of music's most prominent power couples and parents.
