LOS ANGELES — The trial of hip-hop artist and fashion icon A$AP Rocky is set to continue Friday in Los Angeles, where his legal team is prepared to present their defense against charges stemming from an alleged 2021 shooting incident involving a former acquaintance.
The defense plans to call rapper A$AP Twelvyy to the witness stand. Twelvyy, alongside both Rocky and the man accusing him, A$AP Relli, is affiliated with the A$AP Mob, a collective of creative individuals that originated in a New York high school nearly two decades ago. Twelvyy was present during a confrontation where Rocky reportedly fired a gun at Relli, with whom he had ongoing conflicts.
During his testimony, Twelvyy is expected to assert that Rocky discharged a starter pistol—specifically designed to release blanks—which he claims Rocky uses as a security prop. The defense believes that this detail addresses several critical elements of the case, notably explaining why Relli sustained only minor injuries, such as grazed knuckles, rather than more severe harm.
As the trial progresses, the courtroom has become accustomed to the complicated web of “A$AP” names relevant to the case. The prosecution’s case largely relied on Relli’s testimony over the past three days, which concluded on Thursday. Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges related to assault with a semiautomatic firearm, facing a potential sentencing of up to 24 years if convicted on both charges.
Notably, Rocky’s long-term partner, international music sensation Rihanna, was present in court on Thursday, appearing after a brief absence. Dressed in a tan trench coat paired with glasses, she maintained a low profile in the rainy Los Angeles weather as she sat with Rocky’s supporters.
The defense has yet to confirm if Rocky will take the stand in his own defense, although he is not obligated to do so. Earlier, he rejected a pre-trial plea deal from prosecutors that would have resulted in a light penalty of just 180 days in jail for a guilty plea on one charge.
Originating from Harlem, Rocky’s career skyrocketed following the release of his debut studio album, which topped the Billboard 200 in 2013. However, his influence in the fashion industry now appears to overshadow his musical accomplishments. He is expected to serve as a celebrity co-host at the influential Met Gala, set for May.
His well-curated courtroom attire has become a topic of intrigue, drawing significant media attention, including a feature in the New York Times that highlighted his trendsetting style choices. A publicist for the luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent even released a statement detailing a specific outfit Rocky wore during court, filled with high-fashion descriptions.
Additionally, the courtroom proceedings included recorded phone calls that allegedly featured Relli, who claimed Rocky was “not a true gangster” and referred to the case as “the case of Dior.” Earlier in the trial, the defense introduced a witness—a branding consultant with ties to both men—who claimed that Relli expressed intentions of extracting monetary compensation from Rocky, indicating that his motives were not driven by the legal ramifications of the case. Relli, in contrast, contended that these recorded calls were fabricated. Nonetheless, prosecutor John Lewin successfully argued that Relli’s statements were consistent with his trial testimony.
