Rihanna ‘immediately’ wanted to braid her son’s hair as she describes significance of the style in her culture: ‘A form of protection’

 

Rihanna has revealed she was ‘immediately’ compelled to braid to son’s hair as she opened up about the significance of the style in her culture.

Speaking with VOGUE China, she described how braids ran in her ‘blood’ and are considered a ‘form of protection’ in her heritage.

Rihanna, 36, shares sons RZA, one, and Riot, seven months, with her long-term partner A$AP Rocky, 35.

‘I grew up in the Caribbean and it was all a local mom could do for her kids. Some people grow up in single-parent families, with moms working three jobs, and they don’t have time to kiss you every day when you go to school. This is a form of protection, our roots, and a tradition left by our ancestors,’ she said.

She continued describing the meaning of the braids and discussed how her partnered opened her eyes to their impact: ‘It’s historically significant and makes us realize where we’ve come from. This is our lost history. I really learned a lot being around him, but even with him, he wore his hair in pigtails. It’s just a thing of the past. Like I immediately wanted my son to have his hair braided. Yes, I know, it’s something in our blood.’

Rihanna has revealed she was 'immediately' compelled to braid to sons' hair as she opened up about the significance of the style in her culture; the songstress with her partner A$AP Rocky and their two sons, RZA and Riot
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Rihanna has revealed she was ‘immediately’ compelled to braid to sons’ hair as she opened up about the significance of the style in her culture; the songstress with her partner A$AP Rocky and their two sons, RZA and Riot

Rihanna looked incredible as she covered Vogue China‘s latest issue ahead of launching her billion-dollar Fenty empire in the country from next month.

The singer discussed motherhood, the culture of hair braiding and her successful career during an interview with Vogue China Editor-in-Chief, Margaret Zhang.

In one stunning image from the photoshoot, Rihanna is sporting an all embroidered ensemble, consisting of a cropped jacket and matching bralet and cowboy hat.

The pretty black co-ord showed off her midriff and glimpsed her winged-goddess tattoo underneath her bust.

In another snap, Rihanna slipped into an eye-catching white gown and wore her honey-brown hair in braids.

Speaking on encouraging individuality in her children, Rihanna said during the interview: ‘The most beautiful thing… is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity, which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group.

‘It’s really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be… they should embrace it completely, because it’s beautiful, and it’s unique. I love them just that way.’

Rihanna was teased as the star of the April issue as the Chinese arm of the fashion bible released images of her on the front cover.

Rihanna with her son RZA during a family getaway to Aspen, Colorado last year
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Rihanna with her son RZA during a family getaway to Aspen, Colorado last year

Rihanna rocked a cowboy-inspired ensemble as she covered Vogue China's latest issue ahead of launching her billion-dollar Fenty empire in the country from next month
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Rihanna rocked a cowboy-inspired ensemble as she covered Vogue China’s latest issue ahead of launching her billion-dollar Fenty empire in the country from next month

The singer, 36, slipped into an eye-catching white gown and wore her honey-brown hair in braids
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The singer, 36, slipped into an eye-catching white gown and wore her honey-brown hair in braids

Rihanna is the cover of VOGUE China¿s VOGUE+ April Issue
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Rihanna is the cover of VOGUE China’s VOGUE+ April Issue

In a second black and white image taken close up to Rihanna’s face, her inked hand touched her braided hair as she smouldered for the camera.

Rihanna announced last week that her brand Fenty Beauty will now be available in China starting April 1.

It’s a huge business move for the star, as China is the second-largest beauty market in the world behind the US.

Rihanna is already considered America’s youngest self-made female billionaire. Her estimated net worth is around $1.4 billion.

And her billion+ fortune doesn’t come from her music career – it comes from her wildly successful cosmetics company.

The billionaire beauty mogul wore a long plaid jacket that was red, black and white plaid across most of it with a blue plaid band at the bottom of the outerwear
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The billionaire beauty mogul wore a long plaid jacket that was red, black and white plaid across most of it with a blue plaid band at the bottom of the outerwear

Rihanna, who has two young sons sons RZA and Riot, discussed motherhood, the culture of hair braiding and her successful career during an interview with Vogue China Editor-in-Chief, Margaret Zhang
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Rihanna, who has two young sons sons RZA and Riot, discussed motherhood, the culture of hair braiding and her successful career during an interview with Vogue China Editor-in-Chief, Margaret Zhang

Speaking on encouraging individuality in her children, Rihanna said during the interview: 'The most beautiful thing¿ is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity, which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group.'
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Speaking on encouraging individuality in her children, Rihanna said during the interview: ‘The most beautiful thing… is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity, which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group.’

On the culture of hair braiding, she added: 'This is our lost history. I immediately wanted my children to have their hair braided¿ it's something in our blood'
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On the culture of hair braiding, she added: ‘This is our lost history. I immediately wanted my children to have their hair braided… it’s something in our blood’

In the announcement video, the singer looked stunning as she donned a black leather jacket and wore her honey-brown hair loose, cascading over her shoulders.

The beauty guru opted for a natural makeup look with the exception a bold red lip that made her full pout pop.

She said, ‘China – I am thrilled to share the great news… on April 1, Fenty Beauty will officially land.

‘China has such a rich culture that has always inspired me and I cannot wait to share Fenty Beauty with all of you, celebrating your unique beauty.’

Just last month, Riri took to Instagram to share a snippet of a new short film for FentySkin that features herself and baby daddy rapper A$AP Rocky.

The video radiated a 1950s feel as parts of the clip were in black-and-white and displayed on a moving film reel.

The Barbadian singer looked glamorous as she wore her signature raven hair in a pin-up style which she paired with a diamond choker and a gold watch.

Rihanna was teased as the star of the April issue as the Chinese arm of the fashion bible released images of her on the front cover
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View gallery

Rihanna was teased as the star of the April issue as the Chinese arm of the fashion bible released images of her on the front cover

In a second black and white image taken close up to Rihanna's face, her inked hand touched her braided hair as she smouldered for the camera
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View gallery

In a second black and white image taken close up to Rihanna’s face, her inked hand touched her braided hair as she smouldered for the camera

It's a huge business move for the star, with China now the second-largest beauty market in the world behind the US
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View gallery

It’s a huge business move for the star, with China now the second-largest beauty market in the world behind the US

Fans gushed over the pair as one commenter wrote, ‘I have never seen her look at any man the was she looks at Rocky.’

Another said, ‘Dropping everything but music. I’m still going to watch though.’

A$AP Rocky and Rihanna are seen cozying up to each other in the video as he flashes FentySkin products.

Riri and her man were first linked in the early 2010s when he was her opening act on the Diamonds World Tour in 2013.

In 2020, the pair got serious and publicized their relationship as fans via social media. They later welcomed sons RZA, 22 months, and Riot Rose, seven months.

The singer famously dated Chris Brown and Drake before A$AP Rocky.