A$AP Rocky cleared of all charges—Rihanna drops FIRST emotional statement | See here

New Delhi: A$AP Rocky, also known as Rakim Mayers, can now take a breather. The American rapper has been acquitted of all charges in his assault trial following a three-week court proceeding. For those who are not aware, A$AP Rocky was accused of shooting at his former friend, Terrell Ephron (also known as A$AP Relli), in Hollywood, California, back in 2021.

On the eve of the trial, Rocky rejected a prosecution deal of six months in jail, probation, and other conditions in exchange for a guilty plea. Maintaining his innocence, he took his chances with the jury—and it worked. They found enough reasonable doubt to acquit him.

Rihanna issues first statement after A$AP Rocky’s case verdict

A$AP Rocky’s partner and pop icon Rihanna was present in the three-week trial occasionally. The Praise the Lord singer dived into RiRi’s arms after the judge announced his verdict. Later, she took to her Instagram Stories to drop her first statement and wrote, “The glory belongs to god and god alone. Thankful. Humbled by his mercy.”

Check it out below!

Rihanna’s Instagram story

Why was A$AP Rocky put on trial?

A$AP Rocky was put on trial over allegations that he shot at former friend A$AP Relli during a dispute in Hollywood on Nov. 6, 2021. Prosecutors claimed Rocky fired twice, grazing Relli’s knuckle. The rapper’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, called Relli a “pathological liar” and argued Rocky had only fired a prop gun loaded with blanks as a warning while defending a friend.

Jurors were instructed that if A$AP Rocky reasonably believed he or his friends were in imminent danger and used appropriate force, they could acquit him.

On the work front

On the professional front, the 36-year-old American rapper is all set to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March. He is also one of the celebrity co-chairs for the Met Gala 2025, which is scheduled for May. Furthermore, A$AP Rocky will star alongside Denzel Washington in director Spike Lee’s film, Highest 2 Lowest, which is expected to be released in the summer.