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Rihanna is finally back with a new song called “Friend of Mine,” her first since 2022.
It’s a fun, fast-paced dance track that shows up on the soundtrack for the upcoming *Smurfs* movie. Rihanna isn’t just singing this time, she’s also voicing Smurfette in the film, which also stars Sandra Oh, Natasha Lyonne, and James Corden. The song has a big club vibe and was produced by Jon Bellion, who’s worked with Justin Bieber before. Rihanna’s voice pops in and out of the beat, and honestly, it’s kind of hard to tell how much of it is really her.
It’s got more of a sampled feel, but fans, aka the Navy, are just happy to hear anything new from her.
“Friend of Mine” is the second song to be released from the *Smurfs* soundtrack. The first was “Higher Love” by Desi Trill with DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Natania, and Subhi. The full album comes out on July 13 and will also have a new track by Tyla. It’s been a long time since Rihanna dropped an album, not since *Anti* back in 2016.
She’s been teasing new music for years, but only gives us songs tied to movies. On top of that, she’s been busy with her Fenty brand and her growing family. At the 2025 Met Gala, she confirmed she’s pregnant with her third baby with A$AP Rocky, so yeah, music isn’t her only focus these days.
Check out some reactions below to Rihanna’s “Navy” first listen to her new song “Friend Of Mine”.
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Now that the world is about to see A$AP Rocky get his acting on alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming joint Highest 2 Lowest, we’re learning that the Harlem rapper has been trying to break through on the cinema scene for quite some time, and he tried to enter the world of Star Wars not too long ago by auditioning for the role of a fan favorite character.
In a new interview with Variety, the “RIOT” rapper revealed that he’d been trying to break through in Hollywood for quite some time. Though he was a standout character in the underrated 2015 film, DOPE, A$AP tried to get in front of a bigger audience when it came time to cast the role of Lando Calrissian for Disney’s Star Wars spinoff, Solo: A Star Wars Story. But even Rocky admits that when it came time to show casting what he was made of, he just didn’t have it that day.
Per Variety:
I auditioned for “Star Wars” — for Lando — and my audition was trash. I was trash that day. My man Childish Gambino [Donald Glover] was a way better Lando than I would’ve provided at that time. And I think he looked a little more like [Billy Dee Williams] than me.
Would you do it again? Do you dream of wielding a lightsaber?
Hell, yeah.
Who knows, maybe Disney will decide to explore the origins of Jedi master, Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and A$AP could audition for that role if anything. We wouldn’t be mad at that.
Approaching his acting gigs like a true professional, A$AP Rocky seems determined to be taken seriously as an actor and explained that he considers himself a method actor who embodies whatever characteristics his role calls for even if it means taking that persona back home at the end of the day.
From Variety:
“It’s being alone in your trailer, looking in the mirror, embodying that person. When you’re not on the set, or when you clock out, you’re still embodying that character. Around the beginning of shooting, my family was still in California, so I got to really be this guy and go home [as him]. When my family finally came to New York in late May, we were almost wrapped, and I had to be in daddy mode. I had to shift back and forth.”
We’re not sure if the Star Wars universe is prepared for its first Jedi with gold fronts, but we know we are. Heck, we’ve been ready for such a character since the 90s. George Lucas really dropped the ball on that one. Then again, there were rumors that Tupac Shakur was supposed to be cast as Mace Windu in Star Wars: Episode 1 before his untimely death, so we can’t be too mad at George Lucas for trying.
What do y’all think of A$AP Rocky maybe one day being a part of the Star Wars universe? What color lightsaber would y’all like to see him rock? Let us know in the comments section below.
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While showing off his collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, ASAP Rocky recently unveiled his most personal piece yet, a custom statue ring made in the image of none other than his partner, Rihanna.
Known for his bold fashion choices and love for unique accessories, Rocky didn’t hold back when presenting the intricately detailed ring. Crafted with precision and style, the piece features a sculpted figure that pays homage to Rihanna’s iconic silhouette. With a smirk, Rocky pointed out the figure’s standout feature, saying, “You see that fatty,” before adding with a laugh, “You see that forehead, you know who it is.”
The ring, both playful and heartfelt, reflects the couple’s signature mix of glamour and authenticity. Rihanna, who has often been a muse in fashion and music, now finds her image immortalized in Rocky’s jewelry, a symbol of his admiration and love. The couple recently made headlines as they walked the Met Gala red carpet together, looking effortlessly stylish while subtly hinting at a new chapter in their growing family. Fans were quick to notice the “soft launch” of baby number three, as Rihanna’s figure-hugging gown and Rocky’s gentle gestures sparked widespread speculation.
Rocky’s statue ring, while unconventional, is a touching tribute to the woman he’s built a family with. It stands as a flashy, yet intimate, symbol of their bond, a rare blend of love, humor, and high fashion that only they could pull off.
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2025 has been good to A$AP Rocky so far as the man was acquitted of all charges in his high-profile gun case and is starring in a new Spike Lee joint, Highest 2 Lowest, alongside the legendary Denzel Washington. Now, it’s been announced that A$AP Rocky and Cash App will be collaborating on a new AWGE collection that Rocky debuted at the Met Gala on Monday night (May 5).
According to Hypebeast, the new AWGE x Cash App collection will be offered to select Cash App customers and includes some stylish pieces such as parkas, hoodies, T-shirts, pants and even accessories that are sure to be a hit amongst A$AP Rocky fans.
Hypebeast reports:
Among the accessories, the AWGE logo brooch is a centerpiece, crafted from silver and adorned with 6.87-carats of white lab diamonds. Another notable addition is a silk bandana, designed with a photo-print of bedazzled hair clips, reinforcing the collection’s eclectic inspiration. The accessory lineup complements the apparel, offering unique statement pieces that align with Rocky’s experimental style.
Prices range $50 – $4,000 USD, the drop is available for Cash App customers via AWGE’s website, while supplies last. Some items in the collection will be fully exclusive to Cash App Afterpay customers, adding a unique incentive for those using the buy-now-pay-later service. These limited-edition pieces will not be reissued, making the collaboration a rare opportunity for fans to secure a part of Rocky’s fashion-forward designs.
We expect to see a lot of people rocking those $50 – $100+ pieces around the way. Anything over $1,000? Not so much. Just sayin.
Will you be copping any of the AWGE x Cash App pieces from their collection? Let us know in the comments section below.
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If you’re familiar with Spike Lee’s illustrious career in the film industry then you know that whenever he collaborates on a project with the likes of Denzel Washington it’s going to be something to behold, and more than a decade after working together on Inside Man, the two are back at it in a new crime drama, Highest 2 Lowest.
Yesterday (May 5), we got our first trailer for their upcoming film and though details are scarce, according to Vulture, the film is loosely based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime film High and Low. Starring Denzel Washington alongside the likes of Jeffery Wright, A$AP Rocky, and Ice Spice (word?!), the teaser trailer seems to indicate that the plot will revolve around some shady business dealings and includes some elements of the music industry as we see Rocky recording in the studio.
We’ll have to wait to see how things will ultimately play out, but if it involves Spike Lee, Denzel and Jeffery Wright, it’s going to be some wild ish and we’re all for it.
Check out the trailer to Highest 2 Lowest below, and let us know if you’ll be checking it out when it drops in the comments section.
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Rihanna and ASAP Rocky are preparing to expand their family once again. The superstar couple revealed they’re expecting their third child.
The announcement came subtly but unmistakably when Rihanna arrived at the 2025 Met Gala on May 5, turning heads with a striking look that prominently displayed her baby bump. Though she chose not to speak with reporters, her radiant appearance said it all. Rocky, who served as a co-chair for the star-studded evening, confirmed the news during a brief moment on the red carpet. “It’s time to show the people what we’ve been working on,” he joked, clearly thrilled about their growing family. He continued, “We’re happy, and it’s nice to feel all the love coming our way.”
The pair, already parents to two young children, have often spoken publicly about their admiration and affection for one another. Rihanna has praised Rocky’s natural ability as a father, calling it one of the most attractive things about him. “It’s a different kind of love,” she previously shared. “Our kids adore him. I’m just in the background — he’s the star of the show when it comes to parenting.”
Rocky, too, has expressed deep appreciation for Rihanna, especially the way they balance demanding careers with family life. Speaking to Billboard, he noted, “She’s the perfect partner. We make time for each other no matter how crazy our schedules get.”
Their announcement has sparked celebration across the internet, with fans and fellow celebrities expressing excitement. As Rihanna continues to blend motherhood with her signature style and presence, and Rocky beams with pride, the couple is once again redefining what it means to grow a modern, loving family in the spotlight.
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The next movie by Spike Lee has attracted heavy attention, as it represents his fifth time working with Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, but the origins of the casting of rapper A$AP Rocky in the movie is also generating buzz. As the esteemed filmmaker is preparing for the premiere of his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, he revealed that he was inspired to add A$AP Rocky to the cast after seeing a meme that compared the Grammy Award-nominated rapper to Washington.
“What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram four or five years ago and people were saying that A$AP looked like he’s Denzel’s son,” Spike Lee said during his appearance on the latest episode of the 7PM In Brooklyn podcast hosted by former NBA star Carmelo Anthony and Kazeem Famuyide. “Everyone was saying it. I seen those memes and then in the film, we used that.” The meme shows childhood photographs of Washington and A$AP Rocky bearing a resemblance to each other. Lee suggested that viewers might see that acknowledged at some point in the upcoming movie.The Bamboozled director also praised the rapper’s acting chops. “A$AP, man, he fire,” Lee said. “I mean, there’s some scenes where him and D head to head – he ain’t backing up. Like, ‘I’m here too.’ So very, very happy with the way the film turned out and looking forward to sharing it with the world.” A$AP Rocky, aka Rakiem Myers, isn’t a stranger to the big screen – he made his debut in the 2015 film Dope, and was in If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You. That film, like Highest & Lowest, was produced by A24. Lee has hinted that A$AP Rocky has a “major” role in the movie.Highest 2 Lowest is set to make its debut at the Cannes International Film Festival next month. Billed as a reinterpretation of High and Low, the 1963 film from Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, Lee stated: “In our film Denzel Washington is a music mogul with his own label and his reputation as the best ears in the business.” Highest 2 Lowest also stars Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, and Ice Spice in her first film role.
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Now that Papoose and Remy Ma’s gold standard of “Black Love” was taken to the pawn shop courtesy of Remy (SMH), fans of the culture have been wondering who’ll fill that void the once loving couple left behind, and it seems like we may have a contender.
Over the past few years, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have been steadily building a strong family nucleus with the birth of their sons, RZA and Riot. And all these years later Rocky still talks up his ride-or-die like she’s the only woman in the world. During a recent interview for Mystery Fashionist, A$AP gushed over the love of his life and declared his undying love for the mother of his children.
Speaking in a way that only native New Yorkers would recognize a man publicly professing his love for his woman, A$AP stated, “That’s my son. She’s my son, know what I’m sayin?” Going further with his praise, Rocky added, “Birds of a feather, flock together. I’m gonna ride till wheels fall off like she do. That’s my dog, that’s my n***a, that’s my b***h, that’s my wife, that’s my everything.”
You gotta love how men from New York state their love for their women. So on brand.
https://x.com/FentyHeadlines/status/1900350375900729438
While Rihanna herself actually grew up in Barbados, she’s seemingly taken to New York culture as she once told Mystery Fashionist “Y’all don’t know me, I’m ghetto as f*ck” while rocking a Yankees cap along with a spiffy fit. Only thing missing were some Timbs and camouflage pants, b.
https://x.com/mysteryfashioni/status/1871224714716479951
Yeah, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna might be the new gold standard for “Black Love,” and we’re all here for it.
What do y’all think about A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s love for each other? Do y’all think they can go the distance? Let us know in the comments section below.
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ASAP Relli’s response to the verdict of his ex-friend, ASAP Rocky, being declared not guilty seems to reveal his ongoing frustration with both the legal situation and the fallout from his fractured relationship with the ASAP Mob.
In his online post, Relli expressed a sense of indifference toward the opinions of those who have criticized him, including Rocky and the rest of the crew. He framed gossip as a form of escapism for people without meaningful goals, suggesting that those who engage in such behavior are wasting their lives. Relli’s message was clear: no matter the accusations or personal attacks against him, he no longer cares about how others view him or the damage to his reputation.
His words might stem from the intense scrutiny he has faced, with accusations of being a “rat” and a “snitch” following his role in the legal case. These labels likely hurt Relli, pushing him to lash out and make it clear that he’s moving past the drama, regardless of what others say. His declaration that others’ negativity doesn’t add value to his life signifies a rejection of the toxic environment he once shared with Rocky and the ASAP Mob. It’s a bold statement of independence, showing that Relli is choosing to focus on his own life, unburdened by the opinions and judgments of those who have turned against him.
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A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, 36, was found not guilty. Pretty Flacko was charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm aka firing a gun at his former friend and A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli.
https://x.com/meghanncuniff/status/1891895289201434700
The jury began deliberating on Tuesday (Feb. 18) morning and reached their verdict by late afternoon. The jury consisted of seven women and five men and their decision was reportedly unanimous.
The prosecution alleged that Rocky fired two shots at Relli during a dispute on a street in Hollywood back in 2021. The trial featured dramatic testimony from Relli (Rocky passed on testifying) and bitter arguing between the prosecution and the defense (each side accused the other of perjury). Rocky’s longtime girlfriend attending the trial and occasionally bringing along their two baby sons added to the audacity of the proceedings.
The dutiful reporting of legal journalist Meghann Cuniff has given outside observers a direct look into the happenings of the trial as they occurred. Below, we’re sharing Cuniff’s YouTube channel that featured the verdict reading.
Social media followed this trial closely and is reacting to the verdict. See what’s happening in the gallery.
This story is developing.
Additional reporting by D.L. Chandler.
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Photo: Getty