Rihanna’s two boys have completely contrasting personalities. The revelation comes as the multi-platinum artist continues to balance her successful career with motherhood, a journey that has captivated fans worldwide.
The singer-turned entrepreneur has sons, RZA, two, and Riot, born in 2023, with her rapper partner A$AP Rocky, 35, and she opened up about how their children are developing as she looked back on her life and career in a new interview. The couple’s journey into parenthood has been closely followed by millions, with their children’s names reflecting their deep connection to music and culture.
“RZA is just an empath. He’s so magical. He loves music. He loves melody. He loves books. He loves water. Bath time, swimming, pool, beach, anything,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. Child development experts note that empathetic traits often emerge in children as young as two years old, showing the importance of early emotional development.
By contrast, she said Riot is full of energy from the moment he wakes up, adding: “He’s just hilarious. When he wakes up, he starts to squeal, scream. Not in a crying way. He just wants to sing. And I’m like, ‘Okay, here we go!’ He’s my alarm in the morning! He’s not taking no for an answer from anyone. I don’t know where he came from, dude.” Research shows that siblings often develop different personalities as a natural way to establish their own unique identities within the family.
Rihanna said RZA initially struggled to adjust to having a younger sibling, “like all (new) siblings do,” but Riot has now taken charge. Child psychologists note that this adjustment period is common and typically resolves within the first year of having a new sibling.
She went on: “At first, Riot was understanding that his role was being the little brother. Now he knows he’s in charge.” This dynamic shift between siblings is a natural part of family development, according to family psychology experts.
Rihanna and A$AP were first romantically linked in 2020. Their relationship has since evolved into a strong partnership, both personally and professionally, with their combined influence in music and fashion industries.
She also revealed in her magazine chat fellow musician Pharrell Williams inspired Riot’s name after he and Rocky collaborated on a song of the same title in 2023. The practice of naming children after meaningful songs or collaborations has become increasingly common among artists in the music industry.
“He gave us this name thinking it was going to be a girl, because he had seen something online. Pharrell is very deep. He’s not surface,” Rihanna added. “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.” Name selection experts highlight how cultural and personal significance often plays a crucial role in choosing children’s names.
Rihanna also praised A$AP’s parenting, saying: “Watching him be a father is the greatest thing. His pureness. His charm. I’m annoyed because my sons sometimes just live for him more than they live for me. And I’m like, ‘Did you know who cooked you? Do you know who pushed you out?’ And they love him, but when I see it, oh, it’s the best.” Studies show that active father involvement significantly benefits children’s emotional and social development.
The interview provides a rare glimpse into the family life of one of music’s most private power couples. Their approach to parenting, while maintaining successful careers in the entertainment industry, has been widely praised by fans and parenting experts alike. The couple’s openness about their parenting journey has helped normalize discussions about work-life balance among high-profile celebrities.
Their story also highlights the growing trend of celebrity parents being more transparent about their family lives, helping to break down stereotypes about fame and parenthood. The contrast in their sons’ personalities serves as a reminder that each child is unique, regardless of their background or upbringing.
