A$AP Rocky, known for hits like “Praise the Lord,” attended a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, where surveillance footage was presented as evidence in his ongoing criminal trial. The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces two counts of assault with a firearm stemming from a November 6, 2021 incident.
The video, shown publicly for the first time during the hearing, captured moments of Rocky allegedly holding a gun and firing at his former friend, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), following a heated discussion in Hollywood, California. The incident, recorded by nearby surveillance cameras, led to Rocky pleading not guilty to the assault charges in August 2022.
In the courtroom, images of minor injuries sustained by Relli were displayed, revealing raw, bloody patches on the knuckles of his left hand. Relli had filed a civil suit against Rocky on August 10, 2022, citing assault, battery, and emotional distress.
Relli, a former member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob and childhood friend of Rocky, testified that tensions escalated when Rocky achieved solo success and became “big-headed.” The dispute intensified after the death of A$AP Josh in October 2021, with Relli claiming financial assistance was promised by Rocky but was disputed.
The courtroom heard Relli’s account of an encounter on November 6, 2021, where he sought to reconcile with Rocky at the W Hotel in West Hollywood. Surveillance footage displayed during the hearing showed Rocky allegedly shoving Relli. Relli testified that Rocky then brandished a semi-automatic black gun, pointing it at him while making threatening statements.
The defense maintains Rocky’s innocence, with his attorneys stating in response to the civil complaint, “Defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint.” They argue that any injuries or damages resulted from the actions of others, not Rocky.
The trial will continue as the legal teams present their cases, providing a deeper look into the events leading up to the alleged assault and the relationship dynamics between A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli.
