A$AP Rocky’s Accuser Ready to Testify in Key Moment of Rapper’s Trial Over Alleged Shooting

A former associate of A$AP Rocky is scheduled to testify on Wednesday regarding the incident in which the hip-hop artist allegedly discharged a firearm at him on a Hollywood street back in 2021.

The key witness for the trial, who goes by A$AP Relli, is expected to offer what may be the most critical testimony in the proceedings when he returns to the stand.

Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, has entered a not guilty plea to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon. His attorney contends that the shots fired were from blanks using a starter pistol, which he claims was intended as a prop.

During Tuesday’s court session, Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, detailed the initial stages of the confrontation and was about to discuss the alleged shooting when court adjourned for the day.

He mentioned that he and Rocky, both members of A$AP, a creative group linked to their New York high school, shared a close friendship that deteriorated after Rocky gained fame.

Relli stated that their relationship had been strained over the years and had recently worsened, but he was still “furious” when Rocky aimed a gun at him following an altercation that began when they met near the W Hotel.

“I told him to use it. Because mentally I couldn’t believe it,” Relli recounted, while his former friend observed intently from the defense side. “I physically could not believe there was a gun in my face. That was the breaking point for me.”

He had anticipated a confrontation but hoped to make amends with Rocky; he never wanted to engage in a conflict that could jeopardize the modest music management business he had established.

“He’s famous,” Relli remarked. “I’m nobody.”

The upcoming testimony will occur during a shortened court session. The trial is only scheduled to convene for two hours in the morning due to a prior commitment from the prosecutor. Relli can expect a rigorous cross-examination from the defense, potentially commencing on Wednesday.

Rocky’s ascent in hip-hop began in Harlem, with his music resonating deeply in New York since 2011. His mainstream breakout came when his debut studio album topped the Billboard 200 in 2013, followed by a second album achieving the same success in 2015.

This year, he’s poised for a significant career triumph as a multimedia star. This Sunday, he is nominated for a Grammy Award for best music video for his track “Tailor Swif,” during the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena, just two miles away from the Los Angeles courthouse hosting his trial.

Additionally, he is slated to headline the Rolling Loud Music Festival, co-star alongside Denzel Washington in a film directed by Spike Lee, and co-chair the Met Gala in May.

However, the potential for a conviction and the looming threat of a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison overshadows these accomplishments.

Rocky is also the long-term partner of Rihanna, with whom he shares two young sons. She has not yet been seen at his trial.

By Andrew Dalton