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In a recent interview with Vogue China, Rihanna got candid about the significance of braiding her sons Rza and Riot’s hair.
For the Grammy-winning icon, braiding is more than just a stylistic choice; it’s a powerful way of honoring the traditions passed down by her ancestors.
Growing up in Barbados, Rihanna experienced firsthand the communal bond fostered by braiding. She recalls it as a gesture of love and care within her community, a sentiment she now carries with her as a mother.
“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,” she said
She continued, “This is a form of protection, our roots, and a tradition left by our ancestors. At the end of the day, it’s still beautiful, and I love it. From an aesthetic standpoint, there are so many things you can do with braids and so many looks you can achieve.”
Rihanna, 36, shares her two boys, 22-month-old RZA and 7-month-old Riot, with her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky.
“I really learned a lot being around him, but even with him, he wore his hair in pigtails. It’s just a thing of the past,” she remarked about A$AP.
Beyond hair care, the music mogul also delved into the importance of nurturing her sons’ individuality.
“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,” she expressed.
“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.”
