This article has been updated.
It was early spring 2023 when Joey Bada$$ pulled up for a chat with us on love and relationships courtesy of our Dana Blair-hosted "xoMan Live." There, he clarified that though we felt the sizzling chemistry between him and singer/actress Serayah radiating off our screens in the music video for his single, "Show Me," and rumors were swirling of a possible romance, that they were just friends.
"We got a pretty cool friendship, and I think she’s gorgeous. I think she’s talented," Joey shared with xoNecole at the time. He would later dead the rumors even further by announcing his relationship status, "I'm single." But he'd leave the door open for the possibility of a thing, adding, "Things could happen."
Joey Badass Clarifies His Relationship With SerayahYouTube
Since then, things have indeed been happening between Joey and Serayah, who was previously romantically linked to Jacob Latimore, as their "just friends" status has seemingly blossomed into something more. The love they imitated in the name of art proves to be much more beautiful in real life. "I’m staying ready, so I don’t gotta get ready if that makes sense, you know what I mean," he shared in our interview about feeling "ready" for a relationship. "I don’t want to say that it’s anything I’m looking for, like I understand the way the law of attraction works."
These days, the look of love is undeniable, and we are here for this couple showcasing their deep affinity for one another out loud whenever possible. Keep reading for a brief timeline of the love between Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$.
June 2023: Joey Bada$$ Flies Serayah Out for an Epic Birthday Trip
In what is regarded as their first hard launch as a couple, Joey took to Instagram to share a compilation of short videos they took while boo'd up on a birthday trip for Serayah's 28th in a tropical paradise. After previous denials of a romance, the Raising Kanan actor confirmed their relationship by captioning the post, "happy birthday my love."
A little over a week later, Serayah dropped her own version of a hard launch in a series of photos on IG showcasing some BTS moments of her and Joey.
August 2023: Joey Bada$$ Shouts Out Serayah For National GF Day
We stan! Joey took National Girlfriend Day as an opportunity to show love for Serayah, sharing on Instagram Story a series of never-before-seen photos and videos of some of the couple doing and enjoying life together.
January 2024: Serayah and Joey Celebrate His Birthday In St. Lucia
Birthday trips seem to be a welcomed tradition for this couple as they spent Joey's 29th birthday in paradise where they effectively brought the sand to the beach. "Celebrating you is something I'll always love to do," Serayah captioned her Instagram post to Joey and their tropical escape. Joey left in a comment of appreciation, "Aquemini," it read in a nod to the Outkast album, as well as the couple's sun signs.
September 2023: Joey and Serayah Pop Out at New York Fashion Week
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
From New York Fashion Week to international trips to Tokyo for Joey's shows, September 2023 proved to be a booked and busy month for the Flutter vocalist and the "Passports & Suitcases" artist. Joey shared a carousel of highlights of street-style moments in their matching outfits for the fashion event with the caption, "NYFW FESTIVITIES."
Serayah posted some Tokyo memories to her IG that didn't skimp on the Black love, writing, "tokyo was a dream."
February 2024: Serayah and Joey Take Fashion Week
This year, Serayah gave a BTS look at her time during February's New York Fashion Week, and of course, boyfriend Joey Bada$$ was there to show love and support.
February 2024: Serayah Teases The Arrival of New Heat with Throwbacks Of Her and Joey
What better way to announce the debut of your latest EP of R&B-meets-rap influences than to drop archives of your own relationship mirroring those same influences? ARCHIVES is out now.
March 2024: Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$ Attend ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Serayah was a vision in gold as she graced the red carpet of the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony arm in arm with rapper beau Joey Bada$$. In February, Joey professed his forever love for Black women in "A Love Letter To Black Women," in partnership with Bumble. The "Fallin'" rapper began in the video, "I don’t think I tell you this enough, but you are so sacred to me."
"Just know you got my heart. The only one I’m coming home to. See, I been in my heart and mind, trying to find the right woman and they say that love is blind, but you looking right to me," later adding, "Please never forget how truly blessed you are. I’ll cater to your visions and be there while I’m growing your purpose. Real love is our language. And a Black woman is a blessing in my life."
March 2024: Joey Bada$$ Responds to Viral Video of Him and Serayah Arguing
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In March, a viral video of the couple arguing and Serayah crying made rounds all over the internet and sparked speculation that Joey and Serayah had broken up. To squash the rumors, Joey assured inquiring minds that everything is good over here by posting a series of photos of the two of them loved up and enjoying a night out on the town, captioning it, "People all in our business they don’t even know the facts, they don’t see the shit we witness only what the cameras catch."
February 2025: Serayah Announces Pregnancy With Partner Joey
Photo by Mark Gunter/Getty Images for Runway 7
Congratulations seem to be in order for Serayah and Joey Bada$$. The actress debuted a baby bump while walking the runway for Adore Me’s NYFW show at New York City’s Sony Hall.
Regarding the big news, Serayah spoke to ESSENCE exclusively, sharing, "I’m so excited to start this new chapter in my life, and I’m looking forward to all of the adventures that come along with it."
May 2025: Joey & Serayah Cover 'Of the Essence' & Seemingly Confirm Engagement
Joey Bada$$ and Serayah make their official couple debut on the cover of Of the Essence, giving the world a glimpse into their love story and their soon-to-be family of three. While they kept their engagement low-key, fans picked up on the engagement ring on Serayah’s finger, and Joey later confirmed the news himself in his diss track “The Finals,” referring to her as "my fiancée."
In the cover story, the couple shared that their connection goes way back, long before their on-screen chemistry in Joey’s "Show Me" music video. They actually met at a boat party in 2021, hosted by a mutual friend. Joey recalled being immediately captivated by Serayah and her aura, with a spark between them feeling immediate. The spark was very much alive when they reconnected a year later, with Serayah telling the mag, "It was that same energy, this unexplainable magnetizing energy without us really doing much or saying much. That’s what sparked the fire for me.” Joey echoed:
"Her energy just felt so pure to me, and I just loved how I felt when I was around her. So that’s really what it was for me — I found myself wanting to talk to her, wanting to hang out with her, wanting to see her often."
Now, the power couple is preparing for the arrival of their son (whose gender they announced with the cover story) and expanding their family of 3 to one of 4 (including Joey's 7-year-old daughter from a previous relationship). "I think we’re excited about doing things our way with something that’s equally important to both of us individually and collectively, and that’s having a strong family structure, especially a strong Black family structure," he shared with the outlet.
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Featured image by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE
Originally published on March 25, 2024
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