Rihanna opens up on motherhood, music, and unique personalities of sons RZA and Riot

Rihanna has offered a rare glimpse into her life as a mother, sharing details about the contrasting personalities of her two sons, RZA and Riot, in an exclusive interview with Harper's Bazaar Legacy Issue.

The global superstar, who recently celebrated her 37th birthday, also reflected on her relationship with A$AP Rocky and gave long-awaited updates on her music career.

The Umbrella hitmaker has been largely private about her personal life, but in this candid conversation, she discussed how her children, despite their close age, have distinctly different temperaments.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcomed RZA in May 2022 and Riot in August 2023, and the singer admitted that balancing motherhood with her career has been both rewarding and challenging.

According to Rihanna, her eldest son, RZA, has a gentle and intuitive nature. "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 shared.

In contrast, her youngest, Riot, is full of energy and personality. "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!'" she joked.

Describing him as her personal alarm clock, she added, "He's not taking no for an answer from anyone. I don't know where he came from, dude."

The transition from one child to two was not without its difficulties. Rihanna admitted that RZA initially struggled to adapt to having a younger sibling.

"Like all new siblings do," she said. "At first, Riot was understanding that his role was being the little brother. Now he knows he's in charge."

Interestingly, the name Riot was inspired by a song produced by Pharrell Williams. Rihanna revealed that Pharrell suggested the name when he believed the couple was expecting a daughter.

A$AP Rocky's Role as a Father

Rihanna also spoke about A$AP Rocky's close relationship with their children, calling it one of the greatest joys of her life. Following his recent legal victory in Los Angeles, she was overcome with emotion, shedding tears in the courtroom when he was found not guilty on all counts.

"Watching him be a father is the greatest thing," she said. "His pureness. His charm. I'm annoyed because my sons sometimes just live for him more than they live for me."

She humorously recalled moments where she had to remind her children of her role. "I'm like, 'Do you know who cooked you? Do you know who pushed you out?'" she laughed. "They love him, but when I see it, oh, it's the best."

Despite their fame, Rihanna and Rocky have chosen to keep a low profile, preferring to blend in with everyday life rather than shutting down stores or avoiding public spaces.

"We like to eat with people. We like to shop with people. We like to walk the streets with people," she explained. "I don't like the Rapunzel life."

A Long-Awaited Return to Music

While Rihanna has been focused on motherhood and business ventures like Savage x Fenty and her new partnership with Dior, fans have been eagerly awaiting her return to music.

The singer has not released a full-length album since Anti in 2016, but she assured fans that new music is finally on the way.

"I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work. I am actually feeling really good about this," she revealed.

She also dismissed rumors that she was working on a reggae album, stating, "Way off! There's no genre now. That's why I waited."

Explaining why she has been so selective with her new music, she said, "After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more. It has to count. It has to matter."

As she prepares to re-enter the music industry on her own terms, Rihanna remains focused on leaving a meaningful legacy.

"My legacy is right now. That's all I have the most control over," she said. "How am I present with the people around me? How am I making this a happy moment? How am I making a memory?"

With her family by her side and new music in the works, Rihanna's next chapter is shaping up to be one of her most exciting yet.