LOS ANGELES — The trial involving rapper and fashion influencer A$AP Rocky came to a crucial point on Thursday as Los Angeles County prosecutors concluded their case. The rapper is facing charges for allegedly discharging a firearm at a former associate on a Hollywood street in 2021.
Over the span of eight days, the prosecution presented five witnesses, including two police officers, a detective, and a firearms expert. However, the standout figure among the witnesses was the alleged victim himself, known as A$AP Relli, a former friend and aspiring music manager. Relli’s testimony extended for nearly three days, during which he faced an intense cross-examination from the defense.
In a heated exchange, Relli confronted defense attorney Joe Tacopina, shouting, “You think you’re slick! You’re not going to keep tripping me up! You’re not slick!” He recounted a confrontation that escalated into Rocky firing two shots at him, claiming his knuckles were grazed but that he did not suffer further injuries.
Rocky has entered a not guilty plea against two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. If convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.
Rihanna, the acclaimed singer and Rocky’s long-time partner, made a reappearance in court on Thursday afternoon after being absent for several days. Dressed in a tan trench coat with her hair styled up, she sat in support of Rocky during the proceedings, which have captured significant media attention.
As the trial shifts to the defense phase, their first witness slated for Friday is A$AP Twelvyy, a member of the A$AP Mob group that includes both Rocky and Relli. This creative collective has roots that trace back two decades to their high school days in New York City.
The defense team has not disclosed whether Rocky will choose to testify in his own defense—a risky move, given the circumstances—especially considering he previously rejected a plea deal that offered him a mere 180 days in jail in exchange for a guilty plea to one count.
Lou Levin, Rocky’s tour manager, is expected to be the second defense witness. Initially gaining attention in the music industry with his debut album shooting to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013, Rocky’s acclaim now also extends into the fashion realm, where he has built a significant brand and is scheduled to co-host the renowned Met Gala later this year.
His courtroom fashion choices, from tailored suits to stylish overcoats, have sparked discussions and even attracted coverage in major publications. A publicist from Yves Saint Laurent noted that one day in court, Rocky wore an elegantly crafted ensemble, highlighting his status as a fashion icon.
Notably, recorded phone calls played during the trial contained claims attributed to Relli, who allegedly stated that Rocky was “not a true gangster” and referred to the incident as “the case of Dior.” These recordings were introduced through a witness named Wally Sajimi, an internet branding consultant who had previously worked with both men. Sajimi traveled from Paris to testify, sharing recordings that could influence the case significantly.
One of the recordings presented involved a voice resembling Relli’s suggesting that pursuing Rocky legally was part of a premeditated plan to acquire a financial settlement. The defense capitalized on this by presenting the testimony in such a way that the jury was not privy to Relli’s claims of motives, despite Relli’s attempts to discredit the recordings during his testimony.
In cross-examination, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin examined the consistency of Relli’s accounts. Sajimi affirmed that Relli never suggested he was fabricating the incident for financial gain, instead corroborating the narrative that Rocky had indeed shot at him, solidifying the prosecution’s case.
The day concluded with the lead detective testifying. LAPD Detective Frank Flores acknowledged that surveillance footage of the alleged incident did not confirm the use of a functioning firearm. However, he noted that the behavior of the individuals in the video, along with audio recordings of gunfire, led investigators to conclude that a shooting did take place.
The defense does not deny that some altercation occurred but contends that Rocky may have fired a starter pistol filled with blanks—a claim that complicates the narrative. Detective Flores remarked that while the audio recorded does resemble the sound of gunfire, it could also originate from a replica firearm.
