A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty: The Extremely High Stakes of the Rapper’s Risky Trial
Three weeks of testimony and arguments. Three hours of jury deliberations. Three might be A$AP Rocky’s lucky number as the rapper was found not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on February 18. However, A$AP Rocky’s trial involved more than luck.
The 36-year-old turned down an offer from the prosecution involving just six months in jail. He would’ve had to plead guilty to one count and spend six months in prison. But A$AP Rocky, also known as Rakim Mayers, insisted on his innocence and risked everything to discover if a jury would feel the same. Here’s what was at stake for the father of two as his trial unfolded:
A$AP Rocky faced up to 24 years away from his partner, Rihanna, and their two children
Rihanna and their two sons attended much of the closing arguments of the LA-based trial. With Riot and RZA at 1 and 2 years old, respectively, A$AP Rocky faced the reality that he might not experience life with his children outside of prison walls until both boys were in their twenties. Add a 20-plus-year separation from his partner of at least five years, Rihanna. The rapper would essentially lose his family life for decades.
This factor alone could’ve tempted the entrepreneur to plead guilty to at least one count, as The Economic Times reports. But A$AP Rocky believed strongly that he was innocent regarding accusations that he shot a semiautomatic firearm at former friend and collaborator A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron) in 2021.
Major 2025 music milestones
A$AP Rocky is arguably at the height of his music career. The Harlem native faces a banner year of music festivals and events. These include the Rolling Loud music festival in March and three major European festivals throughout August (Budapest’s Sziget Festival, Belgium’s Pukkelpop, and France’s Rock en Seine). A$AP Rocky will also release his highly anticipated fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, in early 2025.
Co-chair of the 2025 Meta Gala
A$AP Rocky has become a major influence on streetwear and high fashion. His icon status earned him the coveted position of celebrity co-chair for this year’s Met Gala. The May 5 event focuses on the influence of Black men’s fashion from the 18th century to the present day — something the rapper cares about deeply.
Along with co-chairs Pharrell Williams and LeBron James, A$AP Rocky’s involvement represents the pinnacle of his impact at the biggest night in fashion. In addition to the Met Gala, A$AP Rocky would’ve had to step back from AWGE, the creative collective he founded in 2014 and has continued to direct for the last decade.
The biggest movie of A$AP Rocky’s budding acting career
Highest 2 Lowest is set to premiere in the summer of 2025. Directed by Spike Lee, the crime thriller stars A$AP Rocky in the leading role. With a star-studded cast, including Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright, Highest 2 Lowest represents a huge moment in the rapper’s acting career, which includes 2015’s Dope and 2018’s Monster. Filming wrapped in May 2024. But A$AP Rocky would’ve missed all 2025 promotional and red-carpet events, saying goodbye to his acting career from jail.
Ultimately, A$AP Rocky’s jury of five men and seven women sided with the fashion mogul. Rocky’s defense successfully argued that Relli was not a credible witness and that there was no concrete evidence linking A$AP Rocky to the shooting. Upon the verdict’s announcement in court, the rapper emotionally hugged Rihanna and his defense team. Rihanna posted a simple story on Instagram. She wrote in simple white text, “The glory belongs to God and God alone. Thankful, humbled by his mercy,” with a prayer hands emoji.
