A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty in a felony assault trial that could have drastically altered his career.
The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of firing a gun at former friend and A$AP Mob member Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, during a 2021 altercation.
The Los Angeles trial, which lasted three weeks, captivated the public with dramatic testimony, emotional moments, and a strong show of support from his longtime partner, Rihanna.
As the verdict was read, A$AP Rocky leapt over a courtroom barrier to embrace Rihanna, who sat behind him alongside his mother and sister.
Both were visibly emotional, with Rihanna breaking into tears.
The Grammy-winning artist attended multiple days of the trial, including Valentine’s Day, and even brought the couple’s two young children, who were seen flipping through books in the courtroom.
Despite prosecutors’ negative remarks about her partner, Rihanna remained composed and later expressed gratitude on social media, writing, “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!”
The trial also exposed internal fractures within the A$AP Mob, a hip-hop collective founded in 2006 in Harlem.
While the group once prided itself on unity, tensions have risen over the years, particularly following the death of its founder, A$AP Yams.
Several A$AP Mob members, including A$AP Twelvyy and A$AP Lou, testified in support of A$AP Rocky, countering Relli’s claims and suggesting he had personal and financial motives behind the accusations. No Mob members testified on Relli’s behalf.
An unexpected moment in court came when prosecutors questioned the meaning of AWGE, A$AP Rocky’s secretive creative collective and record label.
As A$AP Twelvyy was about to answer, Rocky himself cut in, loudly instructing him not to reveal its meaning.
His attorney later described AWGE as something personal and family-related, but its true definition remains a mystery, in line with the collective’s long-standing rule to never disclose its meaning.
Following the verdict, A$AP Rocky walked free, leaving the courthouse with Rihanna by his side.
The case not only solidified his legal victory but also reignited interest in the dynamics of the A$AP Mob and the future of AWGE, proving that even in a courtroom battle, the rapper’s influence and mystique remain intact.
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