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    Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. The superstar status for couples doesn’t get much hotter…or busier. Rap mogul Jay-Z just took over New York City’s Yankee Stadium for three consecutive nights with star-studded performances to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of his sixth studio album, The Blueprint. Fans who attended the sold-out shows are still on a high. He brought out onstage his megastar wife, Beyoncé, for two of the three nights and his former protégé turned pop and style icon, Rihanna, to help close out the historic concert run. Rihanna’s long-term partner and hip-hop star A$AP Rocky was of course in attendance to support his other half and join the long list of who’s who names that enjoyed the monumental show.

    Both couples shut ish down when they enter a space. What are they wearing? Who are they wearing? What is their body language like?

    And now? Both of these iconic (and unapologetically Black) couples have entered the World Cup Finals chat.

    We’re used to spotting our popular celebs at NBA, MLB and NFL championship games. At the recent NBA Finals (#Knicksin5 – Don’t play with us!), everyone from legendary film director and Madison Square Garden staple Spike Lee to halftime performer—and recent ESSENCE Festival of Culture headliner—Cardi B came out to enjoy the competition. Celebrity couples often make appearances at professional sporting events throughout the year. Ashanti and Nelly, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys and Denzel and Pauletta Washington have all famously stepped out together to enjoy the pros compete on the court or field.    

    The World Cup stage, however, is bigger and grander for obvious reasons. The two multi-hyphenate couples watched Spain defeat Argentina along with 80,000 other fans for the intense FIFA match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Soccer, or football as the rest of the world fittingly calls it, has not historically had the mainstream appeal as other professional sports in the United States. In America, soccer is traditionally seen as a recreational sport beloved by middle to upper class children in the suburbs. The term “soccer mom” has stuck for a reason. While that stigma had already begun to shed, when a couple like Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are publicly seen embracing the sport, the U.S. fanbase will likely evolve even more and even faster. For the record, Rihanna who grew up in Barbados and is a huge Cristiano Ronaldo fan, has publicly expressed her appreciation for the sport many times. When releasing a soccer-inspired sneaker collection with Puma in 2023, the Bajan beauty spoke about the global impact of the sport. “Football is a universal language that brings people together from all over the world, all walks of life,” she previously shared when promoting her Fenty x Puma Avanti sneakers.

    Global superstars are expected at the World Cup Finals. This is a given.

    However, the world seeing not one but two Black influential couples at an event of this magnitude is massive. Like, for the record books massive. Jay-Z is from the infamous Marcy Projects in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn while A$AP Rocky hails from Harlem and admits to having had to live in homeless shelters with his mother and siblings as a child. Rihanna has openly discussed her humble beginnings as well. Beyoncé had a solid upper middle-class childhood in Houston, Texas but we all witnessed her undeniable grind in the ruthless music business as a young teen. Love them or loathe them, these are four people who have paid their dues.

    We respect the hustle and their ability to enjoy the fruit of their individual and collective labor as respective partners in life. One of the many reasons Black love is so revered is because we all know it has challenges only we understand. Yet is also holds a beautiful story of endurance, pride and legacy. It is rewarding to witness them enjoy these moments together. Our relationship stories don’t always need to be about struggle. We go on fun date nights, laugh and enjoy sports together too. There’s power in this not only for Jay and Bey, RiRi and Rocky but for us as a community as well. This isn’t about celebrity couple worship. We know better. This is about recognizing our joy. It is revolutionary; even at a soccer match. Word to Pelé.

    Both couples are also the proud parents of three young children. So both Black love and Black family were celebrated at the World Cup Finals. Yes, Spain took home the big win. But in a sense, so did we.

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