An assault trial is set to commence on Friday involving rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused of firing a gun at a former friend in Los Angeles. The rapper, born Rakim Mayers, could face up to 24 years in prison if found guilty of two felony assault charges stemming from the 2021 incident near a Hollywood hotel.
A Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist and renowned fashion entrepreneur, A$AP Rocky, who is in a long-term relationship with singer Rihanna, has entered a plea of not guilty and refuted the accusations.
The victim, fellow artist and childhood friend Terell Ephron, testified last year that he sustained minor injuries to his knuckles from bullets during the altercation and sought medical attention upon returning to New York.
After a three-day selection process, a jury composed of seven women and five men has been chosen, with opening arguments expected to start on Friday. The trial is anticipated to span about three weeks.
Allegedly, the shooting occurred in November 2021 post a "heated discussion" in Hollywood between the rapper and Ephron, who have shared a relationship since their high school days in New York as part of the A$AP Mob collective.
The prosecution claims that A$AP Rocky brandished the weapon during an outdoor dispute before firing it in the victim's direction near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, resulting in a minor injury.
Rejecting a plea deal prior to the trial, A$AP Rocky asserted that the firearm in question was a "prop gun," incapable of discharging real ammunition. His lawyer expressed readiness for the trial and a desire to put the matter behind them. Key points of contention include the police investigation and Ephron's delayed reporting of the incident, along with doubts about the origin of the victim's injuries.
Amidst the legal proceedings, A$AP Rocky, a father of two with Rihanna, is scheduled to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala in May and appear in Spike Lee's upcoming film "Highest 2 Lowest." He previously faced legal issues related to an assault case in which he and members of his entourage were convicted, despite claiming self-defense.
Having emerged as a prominent figure in the music industry during the 2010s, A$AP Rocky collaborated with various acclaimed artists and gained recognition for hits like "Wild For The Night," "Everyday," "LSD," and "A$AP Forever."
The BBC’s Mark Savage contributed to this report.