American rapper A$AP Rocky was acquitted of all charges from a case that occurred over the span of four years following an incident in November of 2021, in which Rocky was accused of shooting at a former friend, A$AP Relli. The charges against Rocky included two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, with a sentence of up to 24 years in prison, if convicted.
Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, and Relli, Terell Ephron, were both a part of the Harlem, New York City based hip-hop group, A$AP Mob, which started in 2007. Members grew their careers as rappers, producers, directors, and fashion designers alongside one another. “Mob” members carry the stage name A$AP, which stands for “Always Strive and Prosper.”
According to Relli’s testimony in the case, a conflict developed between the two after Rocky achieved worldwide fame and success. On the night of Nov. 6, 2021, the two reached a breaking point whereRelli claimed Rocky shot at him multiple times, “grazing his knuckles.” Rocky was initially arrested in 2022 and eventually let free on bail.
Rocky’s legal team argued that the gun was a prop from a prior music video set that only fired blanks. Rocky carried it for protection. Additional testimonies to the case from an old friend of the two, A$AP Twelvyy, held that Relli was the aggressor in the situation, and Rocky fired the gun out of self defense.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the jury of the case reached the verdict that Rocky was not guilty on either counts because the weapon only fired blanks, Rocky claimed to have acted only in self defense, and there was too much reasonable doubt to convict.
The prosecution simply did not prove their case. The evidence used against Rocky was limited to a short and blurry video and a separate audio recording of the incident.
Had Rocky been convicted, the consequences of jail time would have limited his lifestyle, relationship with his family and partner Rihanna, and upcoming music releases. Rocky is also scheduled to headline Rolling Loud music festival, attend the Met Gala, and star in director Spike Lee’s upcoming film “Highest 2 Lowest” this coming year.
“Thank y’all for saving my life.” Rocky said to the Jury in celebration after the verdict was announced.
