Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s relationship was a slow burn from pals to parents.

The Fenty Beauty mogul, 36, opened up about their “cautious” start and the couple’s sons RZA Athelston Mayers, 1, and 8-month-old Riot Rose, in the spring issue of Interview magazine.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky first met during rehearsals for their joint performance 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 recalled. “But I was like, ‘Ah, nah.’ That’s why everybody was like, ‘Oh my god. She likes him.'”

The duo remained close but didn’t cross lines into dating until 2019, per Rihanna. “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.

Rihanna reflected on her relationship with her partner, emphasizing their long-standing familiarity with each other’s lives, both within and outside of romantic connections. They were aware of the potential challenges they could face together. Hence, they exercised caution before deciding to pursue a romantic relationship.

She described their approach to dating as one of allowing things to unfold naturally, without forcing any particular outcome. Using the metaphor of a flower, Rihanna expressed a sense of surrender to the natural course of their relationship, acknowledging the possibility of either growth or decline but letting it evolve organically.

By 2020, Rihanna appeared to have a strong sense that she and A$AP Rocky were destined to start a family together. However, she noted that the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in solidifying their bond and accelerating their relationship. The challenges brought about by the pandemic ultimately made her more confident in their connection.

Regarding family planning, Rihanna explained that they didn’t extensively discuss it; instead, the decision seemed to naturally unfold without the need for explicit conversation. She described the experience as something undeniable and characterized it as the best thing that had ever happened to them, emphasizing that it simply happened without much deliberation.

Rihanna expressed her deep faith and trust in God’s guidance, explaining that she relinquished control and allowed divine intervention to shape her life. She shared the profound joy of feeling fully seen and valued by A$AP Rocky, who recognized her worthiness to be the mother of their children. In turn, she held the same belief about him, affirming her confidence in his abilities as a father.

Looking ahead, Rihanna remains open to expanding their family, acknowledging that she ultimately leaves the decision in God’s hands. While she expressed a desire for a daughter and is willing to try for one, she humorously noted that if they were blessed with another son, she would embrace that with equal joy.

Rihanna surprised fans with the announcement of her second pregnancy during her performance at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime show. Despite already having sons, she jokingly shared that becoming a mother to a daughter remains an unfulfilled aspiration on her parental bucket list. She playfully mentioned her statistical odds, hoping for a boy next time but maintaining an open mind and optimistic outlook for whatever the future holds.

Rihanna discusses fear that comes with motherhood

Speaking to Interview, Rihanna kept it candid about motherhood and the emotions of postpartum.

“The well-being of your kids, you worry about that constantly,” she said when asked about her fears. “Nobody warns you that having kids means you’re going to worry every second of your life.”

Rihanna also discussed the joy of being a mom, including RZA’s first word: “Hey.”

“I used to try to get his attention all the time, and I would say, ‘Hey, hey, hey.’ And one day he said it back to me in the same melody and I kept singing it and he kept following it over and over again,” she recalled.

‘I loved him differently as a dad’:Rihanna gushes about A$AP Rocky’s parenting

While Rihanna’s fans eagerly anticipate new music from their favorite artist, her attention at home is devoted to giving her sons impromptu concerts. Interestingly, their favorite songs don’t come from her discography but rather from classic children’s tunes. Rihanna shared that her sons particularly enjoy songs like “Penguins Salute,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” Additionally, they have a fondness for timeless favorites like “The Wheels on the Bus,” which, in Rihanna’s words, is a timeless classic that never goes out of style.

One of the newer additions to their playlist is “Incy-Wincy Spider,” which holds special significance for her son, RZA, as he anticipates being tickled when she sings it. Rihanna’s joy is evident as she shares how her son’s connection to the song extends beyond just listening; he also has a book about it, allowing him to make connections and engage with the music on a deeper level.