A$AP Rocky has ignited a firestorm of criticism online following a controversial comment made during a recent concert stop on his Don't Be Dumb World Tour. The 37-year-old rapper addressed women in the audience at his Phoenix, Arizona show with a remark that many fans deemed inappropriate and disrespectful to his long-term partner, Rihanna.

During the performance, Rocky paused to speak to the crowd, saying, “Thank god y’all didn’t know me when I was single, ’cause I would have f***** the sh*t out of you." The moment was quickly captured on video and spread across social media platforms, sparking intense debate among fans and followers .

Criticism of the comment centered on its perceived disrespect toward Rihanna, with whom Rocky shares three children. Social media users expressed frustration that the rapper would make such a remark while in a committed relationship with the global superstar .

One social media user wrote, “Disrespectful to Rihanna, disrespectful to women, someone remind me why this guy is still relevant.” Another commenter questioned the rapper's judgment, adding, “He could’ve just said they’re beautiful and kept it moving though, wtf was that for?” .

Other fans echoed similar sentiments, with some expressing concern about the example set by Rocky as a father of three. “For a person with three children and supposedly in a serious relationship, this is not cool to say. It's almost cringe,” one user posted on social media .

The controversy comes as Rocky continues his North American tour, which has drawn large crowds despite the online backlash. Rihanna has accompanied him to several tour dates, making the comment even more surprising to some observers .

Defenders Argue Comment Was Joking Stage Banter

Not everyone joined the chorus of criticism, however. Some fans came to the rapper's defense, arguing that the comment was made in jest and consistent with his stage persona. Supporters pointed out that Rocky explicitly referred to being single in the past tense, suggesting he was acknowledging his current committed relationship .

One defender noted, “That line is part of his stage energy when he goes into 'F****n Problems' – it's hype talk for the crowd, not a literal statement about his relationship or any specific situation.” Others suggested the remark was being taken out of context and criticized for social media attention .

Recent Headlines Surround Rocky

The onstage comment is the latest in a series of headlines involving the rapper. Earlier this week, Rocky turned an online confusion into a marketing opportunity when fans mistakenly thought he was wearing a thong during a performance. The item was later revealed to be the strap from his microphone pack, leading his company AWGE to joke about releasing a line inspired by the incident .

The couple also faced scrutiny following May's Met Gala, where videos of Rocky speaking with an Italian fashion journalist sparked suspicion of tension between him and Rihanna. Sources later informed TMZ that the meeting was entirely friendly, and the pair were simply exhausted after a long event. A source stated, “It was a long day and they were running on empty,” adding that “they're happy, and people are simply overanalyzing a tired moment” .

Rihanna Appears Unfazed

Despite the online uproar, Rihanna appeared unbothered by the controversy. The singer was photographed shopping in Beverly Hills, looking relaxed and accompanied by an aide carrying multiple shopping bags as she visited luxury stores. She showed no visible reaction to the online debate surrounding her partner .

Rocky recently opened up about family life with Rihanna in an interview with Vibe, reflecting on a frightening shooting incident at their Beverly Hills home earlier this year. Speaking about the incident on March 8, Rocky said, “It was f***** up... somebody attempted [harming] me and my family.” He added, “It took away a lot of peace and happiness of being able to just be free. I don't want to be robbed of my peace and joy” .

In the same interview, the rapper spoke about raising his children with Rihanna and their determination to keep the family grounded despite their fame. “I want to make sure that I teach my boys discipline and keep them grounded, keep them humble as much as possible,” Rocky said. He also emphasized the importance of being “emotionally present” and “emotionally available” as a father .

A Look Ahead

Neither Rocky nor Rihanna has publicly addressed the concert controversy directly. The Don't Be Dumb World Tour continues to draw strong crowds, with the rapper scheduled to perform next in San Francisco. The couple, who have been together since around 2019, remain one of music's most closely followed celebrity pairs, and their relationship continues to capture public attention .