INFAMOUS: A$AP Rocky
- Yasmin Sudarsanam
- Apr 26
- 3 min read
Trigger Warning: The following case includes depictions of graphic violence. Please read at your own discretion.
Just two months ago, Rakim Mayers—better known as A$AP Rocky—stood trial in Los Angeles on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stemmed from a 2021 incident involving his former friend and fellow A$AP Mob member, Terell Ephron (aka A$AP Relli). After a nearly month-long trial, a jury found Mayers not guilty, bringing an end to a high-profile legal battle that had captivated the public and media alike. This is the story of A$AP Rocky.
Born on October 3, 1988, in Harlem, New York, A$AP Rocky had a turbulent upbringing. His father was incarcerated when he was young and later died, and his older brother was killed in Harlem, events that deeply influenced Rocky's perspective and music. He turned to rapping as an outlet, eventually joining the A$AP Mob collective. Rocky rose to prominence in 2011 with his debut mixtape Live. Love. A$AP, which showcased his signature fusion of Southern hip-hop production with Harlem swagger. The success of the mixtape led to a major record deal and the release of his debut studio album Long. Live. A$AP in 2013, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Over the next decade, Rocky expanded his influence beyond music into the worlds of fashion and film, becoming known for his avant-garde style and collaborations with luxury brands.
On November 6, 2021, an altercation occurred between Mayers and Ephron near the W Hotel in Hollywood. Ephron alleged that Mayers fired a handgun at him during the confrontation, with one bullet grazing his knuckles. The incident was not immediately made public, but in April 2022, Mayers was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport upon returning from a trip with his partner, Rihanna. By August of that year, he was formally charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
The trial began on January 21, 2025, at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Prosecutors argued that Mayers intentionally fired two shots at Ephron after luring him to the scene under the pretense of resolving a disagreement. Ephron testified that Mayers pointed a gun at him and fired, striking his hand. The prosecution presented surveillance footage, witness statements, and testimony from Ephron’s surgeon about his injuries.
Mayers’ defense team countered that no firearm had ever been recovered and that there was no physical evidence conclusively proving a real gun had been used. They argued that if shots were fired, they may have come from a prop gun or blanks, possibly as part of a planned artistic stunt that Ephron later weaponized as a legal claim. The defense also highlighted inconsistencies in Ephron’s statements and questioned his credibility, noting the lack of gunshot residue or ballistic evidence directly linking Mayers to the alleged weapon.
After nearly a month of testimony and three hours of jury deliberation, Mayers was acquitted of both charges on February 18, 2025. He expressed deep relief, telling reporters outside the courthouse, "Thank y'all for saving my life." Rihanna, who attended several days of the trial, was seen embracing Mayers after the verdict.
The outcome of the trial allows A$AP Rocky to resume his career and personal life without the cloud of legal uncertainty. He is expected to headline several international festivals this summer and continue his creative ventures in fashion and film. The case, though ultimately ending in acquittal, shed light on the complicated dynamics of fame, friendship, and the law in the digital age, where public narratives can be shaped long before the facts are fully presented in court.
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