After weeks of courtroom drama, US rapper Asap Rocky has been acquitted in a criminal trial centered on an alleged firearm assault. The verdict, delivered in a Los Angeles court, brings an end to a legal battle that had captured widespread attention.
The case stemmed from a November 2021 altercation in Hollywood, where the 36-year-old rapper, born Rakim Mayers, was accused of brandishing a firearm and shooting at his former friend and collaborator, Asap Relli. The incident reportedly resulted in minor injuries to Relli’s hand. However, Rocky’s defense team maintained that the weapon in question was nothing more than a prop incapable of firing live rounds—a claim supported by witnesses from the hip-hop collective Asap Mob.
The trial, which began in January, saw global pop icon Rihanna, Asap Rocky’s longtime partner and the mother of his two children, making multiple courtroom appearances in support of him. Her presence added another layer of public intrigue to an already high-stakes case.
Despite facing potentially severe legal consequences—including a lengthy prison sentence—Rocky consistently denied the allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. The jury, after a brief deliberation, ultimately ruled in his favor, allowing him to walk free.
This verdict marks a significant moment in the rapper’s life and career, removing a legal shadow that had lingered for over two years. With the case behind him, Asap Rocky is now free to focus on his music, family, and future projects.
