The brotherhood that built the A$AP Mob is officially dead. It’s been a wild few years for Rakim Mayers, known to most as A$AP Rocky. Between being a fashion icon, headlining festivals, and starting a family with Rihanna, the man has been living in the stratosphere. But a shadow from his past, a guy named Terell Ephron, better known as A$AP Relli, almost brought it all crashing down.
When you hear about A$AP Rocky's former friend to testify against him, it’s not just some random industry fallout. This was a childhood bond formed in the trenches of New York high schools. Now, it's a messy court battle involving alleged shootings, secret recordings, and "fake-ass guns."
The Night the Friendship Burned Down
The drama goes back to November 6, 2021. Imagine the scene: the heart of Hollywood, near the W Hotel. Tensions between Rocky and Relli had been simmering for a long time. They weren't just "falling out"; they were in a full-blown feud. According to Relli, the meeting was supposed to be a discussion to squash the beef.
It wasn't.
Relli testified that the second he saw Rocky, things got physical. He claimed Rocky pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and pointed it right at his stomach. Relli’s account in court was pretty vivid. He said Rocky told him, "I'll kill you right now," before firing shots that allegedly grazed Relli's knuckles.
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Prop Gun or Deadly Weapon?
This is where the story gets really weird. Honestly, the defense's strategy was bold. Rocky’s powerhouse attorney, Joe Tacopina—the same guy who’s represented big names like Donald Trump—didn't deny that Rocky had a gun.
Instead, he argued it was a prop.
Basically, the defense claimed Rocky was carrying a starter pistol he’d grabbed from a music video set for "security" because he didn't have a detail with him during the COVID era. They brought in other Mob members like A$AP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips) to back this up. Twelvyy told the jury that Relli actually knew the gun was fake. He testified that Relli was shouting, "Shoot that fake-ass gun!" during the scuffle.
A$AP Relli Under Fire on the Stand
When A$AP Rocky's former friend to testify against him actually took the stand, it wasn't the "slam dunk" the prosecution hoped for. Relli was on the stand for three days, and it got heated. Tacopina hammered him on inconsistencies.
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For instance:
- In early interviews, Relli said he couldn't remember what Rocky said.
- In court, he suddenly remembered the "I'll kill you" threat.
- Relli claimed he found shell casings at the scene after seven LAPD officers had already searched and found nothing.
Then came the "Dior" recordings. A witness named Wally Sajimi produced tapes where a voice sounding like Relli talked about his "game plan" to get millions from a civil lawsuit. The voice on the tape said once he got his cash, the criminal case would get "way weaker." Relli called the tapes AI-generated fakes, but the damage to his credibility was done.
The Verdict and the Aftermath
In February 2025, after only three hours of deliberation, a Los Angeles jury found A$AP Rocky not guilty of all felony assault charges. He dodged a potential 24-year prison sentence. Rocky literally leaped into Rihanna's arms when the verdict was read.
Even though the criminal trial is over, the saga didn't end there. Relli had a civil lawsuit against Rocky for the shooting, but he recently dropped it in late 2025. His lawyer, Aaron Morris, told Billboard that Relli is "focusing on rebuilding his life" after the ordeal turned into a nightmare.
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However, the legal war isn't 100% over. There is still an active defamation suit. Relli is suing Rocky and Tacopina for calling him an extortionist and a liar in the media.
What This Means for You
If you’ve been following this, you’ve seen how quickly a "ride or die" friendship can turn into a legal circus. For fans and observers, the main takeaway is how much physical evidence—or the lack thereof—matters in celebrity cases. Without a recovered weapon, the case relied almost entirely on Relli’s word versus Rocky’s inner circle.
Actionable Insights:
- Track the Defamation Case: While the shooting claims are settled, the defamation suit in Los Angeles Superior Court will determine if Rocky's "aggressive defense" crossed a legal line.
- Watch the Career Moves: Rocky is slated to co-star in Spike Lee's upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest. His acquittal has cleared the path for a massive 2026 comeback.
- Check Your Sources: In high-profile trials, "leaked" audio and "deleted" texts are common. Always look for court-admitted evidence rather than social media rumors.
The bond of the A$AP Mob was built on the slogan "Always Strive and Prosper." It’s clear that for Rocky and Relli, they’ll be prospering in completely different directions from now on.