In a move that’s got social media buzzing louder than a sold-out Fenty Beauty launch, rapper A$AP Rocky has opened up about the joys of fatherhood in a whole new light. The 36-year-old artist, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, couldn’t contain his excitement over the arrival of his third child with longtime partner Rihanna, declaring himself a proud “girl dad” for the first time. “MY LIL LADIES,” Rocky gushed in a comment on Rihanna’s Instagram post, confirming the baby’s gender and sending fans into a collective swoon. The announcement, which dropped on September 24, 2025, revealed not just the newest addition to their family but also a glimpse into the couple’s evolving dynamic as parents to three kids under four.

Rihanna, the 37-year-old Barbados-born singer, entrepreneur, and fashion icon, shared the first photos of her daughter on her official Instagram account, where she boasts over 149 million followers. The post featured two heartwarming images: one of Rihanna cradling the newborn, wrapped snugly in a soft pink blanket with a matching oversized bow adorning her tiny head, and another showcasing a pair of delicate pink baby ballet slippers laced with ribbons. A third shot captured a set of miniature pink boxing gloves, a playful nod to Rocky’s stage name and perhaps the fictional fighter Rocky Balboa from the classic film series. “Rocki Irish Mayers Sept 13 2025 🎀,” Rihanna captioned the trio of photos, tagging her partner and officially introducing the world to their baby girl, born on September 13, 2025.

The reveal was met with an immediate explosion of reactions. Within hours, the post racked up millions of likes, shares, and comments, with celebrities like Beyoncé (“Welcome to the sisterhood, little one! 💕”), Drake (“Congrats to the fam—Rocki already got that star power”), and even Pharrell Williams (“Told y’all she’d bring the energy”) chiming in. Fans flooded the comments section with a frenzy of emojis, well-wishes, and memes celebrating the couple’s growing brood. “Finally a mini RiRi! Those cheeks are everything 😍,” one user wrote, while another quipped, “A$AP Rocky as a girl dad? The world isn’t ready for this level of cute.” Hashtags like #RockiMayers, #GirlDadRocky, and #RihannaFamilyGoals trended globally, propelling the story to the top of X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok feeds. By the next morning, fan edits and reaction videos had amassed tens of millions of views, turning the innocent family snapshot into a viral phenomenon.

Rocky’s effusive response wasn’t just a quick emoji drop—it was a full-throated celebration of his new role. In the Elle magazine interview from earlier this year, the rapper had already hinted at his enthusiasm for expanding the family, telling the publication, “Fatherhood is in my destiny, absolutely.” But his Instagram comment took it to another level, explicitly confirming Rocki’s gender and painting a picture of a doting dad reveling in the “lil ladies” of his life. Sources close to the couple tell Page Six that Rocky has been hands-on from the start, often spotted pushing strollers during low-key outings in Los Angeles and New York. “He’s over the moon about having a daughter,” the insider shared. “RZA and Riot are already protective big brothers, but Rocky? He’s in full girl-dad mode—princess treatment from day one.”

For Rihanna, the birth of Rocki marks a poignant milestone. The “Umbrella” singer has long been vocal about her desire for a large family, once telling British Vogue in 2022, “I’ve always wanted kids close in age so they can grow up together and bond.” True to form, Rocki arrived just two years after son Riot Rose Mayers, born in August 2023, and three years after firstborn RZA Athelston Mayers, who made his debut in May 2022. In a July 2025 interview with Extra, Rihanna gushed about her boys’ excitement over the new sibling: “They’re delighted. RZA keeps asking when she can play soccer with him.” The family of five now splits time between their sprawling Hollywood Hills estate and a penthouse in Manhattan, prioritizing privacy amid their high-profile lives.

The pregnancy itself was announced with the couple’s signature flair at the 2025 Met Gala on May 5. Rihanna, co-chairing the event themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” turned heads in a custom Marc Jacobs gown that daringly accentuated her baby bump. A$AP Rocky, arriving arm-in-arm, fielded questions from reporters with a grin, confirming the news: “It feels amazing, you know.” The moment sparked immediate speculation, with outlets like ABC News and the BBC hailing it as “Rihanna’s most fabulous reveal yet.” What followed was a summer of subtle teases—Rihanna’s Fenty Skin campaigns featuring glowing, pregnancy-safe products, and Rocky’s cryptic social media posts hinting at “new energy incoming.”

Behind the glamour, the couple’s journey to parenthood hasn’t been without its hurdles. Rihanna and Rocky, who first crossed paths in 2012 during a music video shoot for his track “Fashion Killa,” didn’t go public with their romance until 2021. Their relationship, described by Rocky in a 2023 GQ profile as “internal, external, infinite,” has weathered public scrutiny, including Rocky’s high-profile assault trial earlier this year, where he was acquitted of misdemeanor charges stemming from a 2022 altercation. Through it all, the pair has maintained a united front, channeling their experiences into their art and businesses. Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie line just dropped a maternity collection inspired by her latest pregnancy, while Rocky’s upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb, is rumored to feature tracks about fatherhood’s transformative power.

Rocki’s name, too, carries layers of meaning that fans are already dissecting. The moniker “Rocki” is a clear homage to her father’s stage name, blending toughness with tenderness—much like the pink boxing gloves in the announcement photo. “Irish” adds a whimsical, global flair, possibly nodding to Rihanna’s multicultural heritage or a family inside joke. The middle name “Mayers” ties her to her siblings and dad’s real surname, grounding the choice in tradition. As one fan theory circulating on Reddit posits, it might even reference Pharrell Williams, who reportedly suggested a similar vibe during a naming brainstorm session. “Pharrell is very deep,” Rihanna once shared about her collaborator. “He’ll give you the entire history: the energy, the time, the month that it is.”

The fan frenzy extends beyond the photos. TikTok creators have whipped up everything from AI-generated “Rocki at 18” montages (envisioning her as a future pop sensation) to reaction duets of Rocky’s comment, set to Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” On X, threads debating the best “girl dad” moments from Rocky’s career—think his tender verses on 2015’s At. Long. Last. A$AP—are racking up retweets. Even brands are cashing in: Fenty Beauty posted a congratulatory Reel with a filter mimicking baby bows, and Puma (Rocky’s longtime collaborator) teased a “Lil Ladies” sneaker drop. Critics, however, are quick to point out the couple’s privilege in keeping such personal milestones semi-private. “Love the joy, but let’s talk about accessible maternity care for all,” one commenter noted amid the celebrations.

As the dust settles on the announcement, insiders say the couple is settling into a rhythm with their newest member. Rihanna, ever the multitasker, is already back in the studio, with whispers of a long-awaited ninth album potentially inspired by motherhood’s latest chapter. Rocky, meanwhile, has a packed slate: film roles, fashion collabs, and that aforementioned album, all while navigating diaper duty. “They’re thrilled to be growing their family and can’t wait to give their boys another sibling,” a source told People magazine back in May. With Rocki now in the mix, that sibling dynamic just got a pink upgrade.

For Rocky, stepping into girl-dad territory seems like destiny fulfilled. In his Elle sit-down, he reflected on the shift: “As a father, it’s about protection, guidance, love. But with a daughter? That’s a whole new layer of magic.” Fans couldn’t agree more—the first photos have ignited a spark of pure, unfiltered emotion, reminding everyone why this power couple continues to captivate. Whether it’s red-carpet reveals or quiet family moments, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky prove that even superstars find their greatest hits at home.

As of October 16, 2025, the Instagram post continues to climb, with engagement numbers rivaling major award-show announcements. Will Rocki steal the spotlight at next year’s Met Gala? Only time—and maybe a custom onesie—will tell. For now, the world is content to bask in the glow of this latest Mayers milestone.