Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm after a three-week trial in Los Angeles. The verdict was announced on February 18, 2025, and came as a relief to the rapper and his partner Rihanna.
A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty in Felony Assault Trial
Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm after a three-week trial in Los Angeles. The verdict was announced on February 18, 2025, and came as a relief to the rapper and his partner Rihanna.
Born Rakeem Mayers on October 3, 1988, A$AP Rocky is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He rose to fame with his debut mixtape 'Live.
Love.
A$AP' in 2011.
Known for his unique style, he has collaborated with artists like Drake and Frank Ocean.
A$AP Rocky has also ventured into acting, appearing in films like 'Dope' and 'Monster.' He has been a prominent figure in the Harlem hip-hop scene and has been recognized for his contributions to music and fashion.
The Trial and Verdict
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at his former friend and A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli in an altercation on November 6, 2021. The prosecution claimed that Rocky had used excessive force and that the gun was not a prop gun as he had claimed.
However, the defense argued that Rocky had acted in self-defense and that the gun was indeed a prop gun. They also pointed out inconsistencies in Relli’s story and accused him of lying to the jury.
After deliberating for just three hours, the jury delivered their verdict, finding Rocky not guilty on both counts. The rapper was overjoyed by the news and immediately jumped into the arms of his mother, sister, and partner Rihanna after the first verdict was read.
Rihanna’s Support
Rihanna has been a constant presence in the courtroom throughout the trial, showing up to support Rocky on several occasions. She even brought their two sons, ‘RZA’ and ‘Riot’, to some of the closing arguments, which sparked controversy among the prosecution team.
Rihanna is a Barbadian singer, actress, and entrepreneur.
Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, she rose to fame with her debut album 'Music of the Sun' in 2005.
Known for her powerful vocals and versatility, Rihanna has released numerous chart-topping albums, including 'Good Girl Gone Bad', 'Rated R', and 'Anti'.
She has won numerous awards, including nine Grammy Awards.
Rihanna is also a successful businesswoman, launching her makeup line Fenty Beauty and lingerie brand Savage X Fenty.
In a statement after the verdict, Rihanna expressed her gratitude, saying ‘The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by His mercy!’
Rocky’s Reaction
Rocky was visibly shaken as he waited for the verdict, but his emotions erupted when the not guilty verdict was read. He hugged his legal team and thanked the jurors for their decision.
‘I didn’t know how athletic he was,’ said Rocky’s lawyer ‘Joe Tacopina’. ‘That was raw emotion, you guys got to see that. Even for us it was insane.’
The Aftermath
With the trial now over, Rocky can finally move on with his life and career. He is scheduled to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March and will be one of the celebrity co-chairs of fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala, in May.
However, the case has left a sour taste in the mouth for Relli, who filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky in August 2022. The rapper has denied all claims and is facing up to 24 years in prison if found guilty in the civil case.
As for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s relationship, it seems that their love and support for each other have only grown stronger throughout this ordeal.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky started dating in late 2020.
The couple's relationship was first reported by media outlets, with sources confirming their romance.
In January 2021, Rihanna was spotted holding hands with Rocky in New York City.
Since then, the two have been inseparable, often attending high-profile events together.
As of now, they are expecting a child, with Rihanna frequently sharing glimpses into her pregnancy journey on social media.
