Things can change extremely quickly in the entertainment industry. One day, you’re a beloved hip-hop MC who happens to be in a relationship with one of the most influential and wealthiest pop stars on the planet. The next, you’re found guilty of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon that could send you to prison for decades.
That’s the situation A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, is currently in.
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On Tuesday, as jury selection in the trial against Rocky began, the Harlem MC turned down the prosecution’s final plea offer requiring him to spend 180 days in jail, which means that Rocky is willing to go to trial and fight the charges against him, according to the Associated Press.
If he’s convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison.
As previously reported by The Root, Rocky is charged with shooting his former friend and A$AP Mob member Terrell Ephron, aka A$AP Relli, outside of a Hollywood hotel in November 2021. This allegedly happened after the two got into a heated argument.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Ephron claims Rocky shot at him several times, resulting in a graze wound on his knuckles. When police officers arrived at the scene, they could not find any evidence of the crime occurring.
But surveillance video taken from a nearby security camera allegedly shows the entire incident playing out. The footage was first made public during a criminal trial hearing in November 2023.
Will Rihanna stand by A$AP Rocky during the trial?
While it’s unclear whether Rihanna will attend her man’s criminal trial, she has done nothing to suggest that she won’t.
When Rocky was arrested in April 2022, and charges were brought against him months later, it didn’t seem to affect their relationship one bit, as the couple has had two children since then, RZA and Riot.
But as the trial continues, and serious claims are made against Rocky, questions will start being asked about Rihanna, whether it’s fair or not. “Why are you still with a criminal?” “Why would you be with someone who’s accused of shooting their friend?”
That’s the reality of their relationship as a power couple. Even though she’s not directly involved, her being in a relationship with a man who’s being accused of assault with a deadly weapon could lead to a lot of negative publicity she doesn’t need or want.
Meanwhile, some people on social media are saying that Rihanna is using her money and influence to keep the trial from becoming the biggest story in Hollywood.
Either way, as the trial nears and more claims are made against Rocky, it’ll be interesting to see how she approaches this kind of publicity.
Straight From 
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