In a stunning courtroom twist, A$AP Rocky is a free man. After a tense three-week trial, a Los Angeles jury unanimously acquitted the Grammy-nominated rapper — clearing him of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon. The verdict spared Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, from a possible 24-year prison sentence, ending a legal saga that had gripped the music world and his millions of fans.
The moment the “not guilty” verdict was announced, emotions ran high. Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and mother of their two children, broke down in tears and hugged Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina. Rocky himself turned to the jurors and said, “Thank you for saving my life,” before making a swift exit with Rihanna through a crowd of reporters and fans.
The trial revolved around an alleged shooting incident on November 6, 2021, outside the W Hotel in Hollywood. Prosecutors claimed Rocky fired two shots at his former friend, A$AP Relli — real name Terell Ephron — after an argument escalated. Relli testified that his knuckles were scraped by a bullet, while Rocky’s defense argued the gun was a harmless prop that only fired blanks. Despite the prosecution’s efforts, no weapon was ever recovered, and multiple witnesses supported Rocky’s version of events.
"/>Throughout the proceedings, Tacopina relentlessly challenged Relli’s credibility, labeling him “a perjury machine” and calling on authorities to investigate him for allegedly lying under oath. The jury, made up of seven women and five men, deliberated for just a few hours before deciding Rocky’s fate.
With the legal storm behind him, A$AP Rocky is ready to return to his music career. The rapper, who has been nominated for three Grammys, recently released the music video for “Tailor Swif,” a track from his upcoming fourth album, Don’t Be Dumb. Fans are already buzzing with anticipation, eager to see what Rocky creates now that he’s free to focus on his art without the weight of a prison sentence looming over him.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office released a statement acknowledging the jury’s decision while reiterating that “fame does not place anyone above the law.” Yet for Rocky, this verdict was more than just a legal win — it was a chance to reclaim his life, his career, and his future. And with Rihanna and their family standing firmly by his side, it’s clear that the rapper is ready to turn the page and step back into the spotlight on his own terms.
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Icarus
Thrive in the decay.