A$AP Rocky, center, waits for his verdict to be read during his trial Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in LA. (AP Photo)
A$AP Rocky, the well-known rapper and fashion mogul, was found not guilty of assault charges related to a Hollywood shooting incident from 2021. A Los Angeles jury deliberated for just three hours before delivering the verdict on Tuesday, clearing him of two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
If convicted, Rocky—whose legal name is Rakim Mayers—could have faced up to 24 years behind bars. Prosecutors had offered a plea deal of six months in jail, along with probation, but he declined, choosing to fight for his innocence.
Family Support in Court
Rocky’s longtime partner, global music icon Rihanna, attended parts of the trial. She even brought their two sons—RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, 1—to some of the closing arguments. When the not-guilty verdict was announced, she was seen crying and embracing the defense team.
This ruling comes at a crucial time in Rocky’s career. With major events lined up, including a headline performance at the Rolling Loud music festival in March and a co-chair role at the prestigious Met Gala in May, he can now focus on his future without legal troubles hanging over him. He is also set to appear alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film, Highest 2 Lowest, slated for a summer release.
What Led to the Trial?
The case revolved around a dispute between Rocky and his former friend, A$AP Relli. The two had been part of the A$AP Mob since their school days. According to prosecutors, Rocky fired two shots at Relli during an altercation on November 6, 2021. One bullet reportedly grazed Relli’s knuckle, though he was not seriously injured.
Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, strongly disputed the accusations, calling Relli "an angry pathological liar" who repeatedly committed perjury.
Was It a Real Gun?
Rocky’s legal team argued that the gun in question was actually a prop that only fired blanks. They claimed he had taken it from a music video set months earlier and was carrying it for protection. According to their account, Rocky fired the prop gun to warn Relli, who they say was attacking another member of their crew.
One key detail that raised doubts in the trial was the fact that no one mentioned the gun being fake until jury selection began—three years after the incident.
Jury’s Reasoning Remains Unclear
Jurors were instructed that if they believed Rocky was acting in self-defense or protecting others from immediate harm, they could find him not guilty. However, they were not required to explain whether their decision was based on the gun being a prop or self-defense.
Despite facing serious charges, Rocky chose not to testify in his own defense.
Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, embraced attorney Joe Tacopina in court Tuesday as the not-guilty verdict was read in his felony assault trial at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles.
Prosecution’s Final Argument
Deputy District Attorney John Lewin urged the jury to focus on the facts, not Rocky’s celebrity status. He also suggested that Rihanna bringing their children to court was a tactic to sway the jurors emotionally.
"You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids," Lewin told the jury. "We are all responsible for our own actions in the world."
Now, with the trial behind him, A$AP Rocky can move forward with his life and career—without the shadow of a lengthy prison sentence.
