A$AP Rocky can finally breathe easy. The 36-year-old rapper was officially declared not guilty on Tuesday, February 18, putting an end to a legal battle that had kept him and his family on edge for over three years. A Los Angeles jury cleared him of two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm—charges that could have landed him behind bars for over two decades.
See also: Jeremy Renner Secretly Dated 26-Year-Old Influencer CC Manson- Here’s What We Know
A$AP Rocky’s Legal Nightmare
The case against Rocky—real name Rakim Mayers—stemmed from a 2021 incident in Hollywood, where he was accused of shooting A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), a former friend and member of the A$AP Mob collective.
According to Relli, Rocky pulled out a gun during an argument and fired, grazing his hand. Prosecutors painted the rapper as a reckless threat, pushing for a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison. However, Rocky’s legal team hit back hard, arguing that the gun was a prop firearm, similar to those used in sporting events, and that Relli’s claims were riddled with inconsistencies. Things got even messier when the defense presented text messages allegedly showing Relli asking Rocky for money, hinting at a possible extortion attempt.
See also: Selena Gomez Teases New Collab with Gracie Abrams
The Moment the Verdict Dropped
After weeks of intense testimony and high-stakes courtroom drama, the jury—comprised of seven women and five men—deliberated for hours before delivering their decision: not guilty.
The reaction was immediate. Rocky, who had maintained a stoic expression throughout the trial, broke down the moment he heard the verdict. He ran to embrace his mother and Rihanna, who had been by his side throughout the ordeal. Witnesses in the courtroom described the moment as raw and emotional, with Rihanna reportedly shedding tears of relief. The intensity of the scene even led the judge to call for order. Shortly after, Rihanna took to social media, writing, “All glory belongs to God and only God.”
@kcalnews This is the moment rapper A$AP Rocky received a verdict of not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The jury delivered their verdict on Tuesday after a month-long felony assault trial in Los Angeles and just hours after they began deliberating. As soon as the verdict to count one was read, the rapper jumped over the gallery wall to hug his partner, fellow hip-hop icon Rihanna, as many in the courtroom applauded. #rihanna #asaprocky #asap ♬ original sound – KCAL News
See also: From Laughter to Evidence: Ryan Reynolds’ SNL Moment Could Sway Baldoni’s Legal Battle
A$AP Rocky’s Troubled History with the Law
Rocky isn’t new to legal drama, but this was by far his most serious case. Back in 2022, he was arrested at LAX while returning from a trip with Rihanna, spending just a few hours in custody before posting a $500,000 bail.
Despite pressure from prosecutors, Rocky never wavered—refusing to accept a plea deal that would have reduced his sentence to just six months in jail. His gamble paid off, and now, instead of facing years behind bars, he’s free to focus on his music and growing empire.
See also: The Secret Behind Nike’s Collab With Skims: Why Kim Kardashian is Their New MVP
With his legal troubles (mostly) behind him, Rocky is ready to reclaim his place at the top. The rapper, who has been a dominant force in hip-hop and fashion, is set to co-host the Met Gala in May and continues to rack up Grammy nominations. One thing’s for sure—after dodging a 24-year prison sentence, he’s got a lot to celebrate.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
