Admin 
A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, had a summer of 2019 he would rather forget. ASAP means Always Strive and Prosper.
In July 2019, law enforcement officers in Stockholm, Sweden, apprehended the Grammy-nominated rapper after he and the members of his entourage allegedly assaulted a man on the street.
A$AP was supposed to perform at the Wireless Festival in London and the Longitude Festival in Dublin a few days after his arrest.
After over a month behind bars, a Swedish court found Mayers guilty of criminal assault.
However, the judge deemed the rapper’s confinement in the Swedish jail adequate and did not extend his prison sentence.
You might be a fan or someone interested in celebrity gossip. Whichever the case, you likely want to know what exactly happened during Rocky’s Stockholm detention. What was the trial’s outcome?
How did his fellow artists and United States (U.S.) politicians, including the then-president Donald Trump, react to his case?
You might also want to know whether Rocky faced any other legal troubles following the Sweden incident.
LookUpInmate.org is your go-to website for topics involving inmates, criminal news, and corrections facilities in the United States.
This article details A$AP Rocky’s assault cases in Sweden and the U.S. and how they have affected his career and personal life.
Read more about the “Praise the Lord” singer’s legal troubles.
What Did Trump Do About A$AP Rocky’s Sweden Case?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump got involved in Rocky’s case probably after Kim Kardashian and her ex-husband Kanye West informed the ex-POTUS (President of the United States) about it.
Trump even phoned then-Sweden’s prime minister seeking Rocky’s release.
In “Stockholm Syndrome,” A$AP Rocky’s documentary, the rapper said that Trump’s intervention may have made his Sweden situation “a little worse.”
The Swedish police arrested A$AP on July 3, 2019, due to an aggravated assault allegation.
The law enforcers also detained two members of Rocky’s entourage: David Rispers and Bladimir Corniel.
American gossip website TMZ (Thirty Mile Zone) described A$AP’s detention center as “shockingly inhumane.”
The prison’s governor denied this claim, saying inmates even have bed and T.V. (television) access.
Rocky’s mom, Renee Black, spoke to a New York Swedish newspaper in late July 2019.
During the interview, she expressed concern over her son’s well-being, saying Rocky wasn’t eating properly.
Despite Trump’s involvement and claims that “systemic racism” was involved in Rocky’s arrest, Swedish prosecutor Daniel Suneson formally filed a charge against the hip-hop artist.
On August 14, 2019, six weeks after Rocky’s initial arrest, a Swedish court found the rap and fashion icon guilty of assault.
The court stated that the rapper and his friends were not “entitled to self-defense” during the Stockholm altercation.
But, as you learned, the court did not add to the defendant’s already-served jail time.
Instead of an additional prison sentence, the judge ordered the defendant to pay Mustafa Jafari’s (the victim) costs.
A$AP Rocky Faces Felony Firearm Assault Charges for November Hollywood Shooting
Over two years after the Sweden incident, Rocky was in legal hot waters again.
On April 20, 2022, the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) arrested A$AP at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport).
The LAPD stated that in November 2021, Rocky allegedly fired a handgun at an “acquaintance” during an argument.
The alleged victim sustained a minor injury from the altercation.
Two days before Rocky’s court hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that the rapper was charged with two counts of assault involving a firearm.
Mayers was detained after he arrived at LAX from Barbados, where he and his girlfriend, singer Rihanna, vacationed.
L.A. police officers arrested Rocky with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Homeland Security Investigations team.
A$AP Rocky Faces Up to 14 Years in Prison
The Harlem rapper may be locked away for up to 14 years if convicted of a felony charge that happened in November 2021.
Rocky’s alleged crime carries a minimum six-month prison sentence. Meanwhile, an assault involving a deadly weapon may land him in jail for four years.
The District Attorney’s office could also enhance the charge against the hip-hop and fashion icon for “personal use of a firearm.” This enhancement could add up to 10 years to Rocky’s sentence.
In August 2022, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron) filed a civil suit against Rocky for battery, assault, and emotional distress.
Relli asks for over $25,000 in general damages, additional payment to cover his medical expenses, and punitive damages of unspecified amount.
Punitive damages refer to the payment that a defendant found guilty of committing an offense must pay on top of compensatory damages when such compensation is deemed insufficient.
Rocky attended his first day in court on November 8, 2023.
His attorneys responded to the civil complaint by saying that he denies all of Relli’s allegations. Rocky’s lawyers also said that their client refutes Relli’s claim that he suffered any damage due to the “Praise the Lord” singer’s actions.
Rocky’s defense concluded that Relli’s damages or injuries may have been caused by the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of people other than Mayers.
Mayers and Ephron were childhood friends in New York. They even went to high school together.
However, according to Relli, a rift grew between them when Rocky found solo success and became “big-headed.”
In October 2021, A$AP Mob experienced a devastating loss when one of its members, A$AP Josh, died.
Relli recounted that his mother contacted Rocky seeking financial help to bring Josh’s body back to New York.
Rocky promised help, but Relli did not believe his former friend fulfilled his promise, despite defense lawyer Joseph Tacopina’s counter assertions.
A month later, Relli claimed he overheard Rocky saying he wanted to call it quits on their friendship.
So, Relli allegedly flew to Los Angeles to meet Rocky at the W Hotel in West Hollywood to repair their relationship.
According to Relli, he later saw Rocky accompanied by A$AP Illz (real name Illijah Ulanga) and A$AP Twelvyy (real name Jamil Phillips) in front of a Hollywood Boulevard parking garage.
Surveillance footage showed Rocky approaching Relli and shoving him.
Relli recalled the chilling encounter, saying that Rocky grabbed his collar and shook him “like a rag doll.”
The alleged victim said he tried to get away from Rocky’s grip, but his hold was too tight.
The scenario took a darker turn when Rocky allegedly drew a semi-automatic gun from his waistband and aimed it at Relli’s stomach.
Rocky allegedly threatened Relli, saying, “ I [will] kill you right now.”
Relli reinforced his statement by describing Rocky’s anger and recounting how his ex-friend pressed the gun at his chest and head.
The victim concluded his story by saying that he taunted Rocky and urged him to “shoot it.”
Relli’s former lawyers, Brian Hurwitz and Jamal Tooson, previously said that the case’s “merits” against Rocky were already thoroughly examined by the LAPD and the L.A. district attorney’s office before A$AP Rocky’s arrest and arraignment.
The victim has a new lawyer, Camille Vasquez, who went viral for representing Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit against former wife Amber Heard.
Through Vasquez, Relli filed another civil complaint against Rocky in September 2023, alleging that Tacopina and his client defamed Relli with the extortion allegation.
Despite this testimony, Mayers did not plead guilty to the charges. Tacopina insisted that his client was a victim of a shakedown.
In September 2022, Rocky’s lawyer asserted that the firearm assault accusation constituted a “false scenario.” He added that it was a “classic attempt at extortion.”
Back then, Tacopina insisted that Relli had been badgering his client for money before the alleged shooting incident.
Tacopina claimed that Relli was a failed “ex-associate” of Rocky’s and was just jealous of the latter’s success.
As of this writing, the hearing will resume on November 20, 2023.
A$ap Rocky Freed From Jail After Posting $550,000 Bail
In April 2022, the LAPD booked A$AP Rocky into jail at 12:42 P.M. PST (Pacific Standard Time). The rapper’s bail was set at $550,000.
Rocky got out of detention three hours after posting bond. Records show that an August 17, 2022, court date was set for him following his arrest.
As you learned, Mayers was allegedly involved in a November 6, 2021, shooting incident near Selma Avenue and Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, California.
A$AP Rocky Photographed With Police Officers After Jail Release
As mentioned, Rocky was released from the police’s custody after posting bail.
Following his release from jail, the hip-hop star was photographed leaving the LAPD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.
The photo showed Rocky surrounded by several police officers as he walked toward a black SUV (sport utility vehicle).
Rocky still wore his vacation outfit at the time — an oversized polo and shorts with sneakers.
Fans and casual listeners might have expressed different opinions regarding A$AP Rocky’s arrest.
Some followers may have responded with support. But others might have expressed criticism, given Rocky’s past assault allegations.
Is A$AP Rocky Married?
Rumors about A$AP Rocky’s marriage or engagement with long-time girlfriend Rihanna or “RiRi” have yet to be confirmed.
People began to speculate that the couple had already secretly tied the knot when Rocky called RiRi his “wife” at a Spotify concert at the Cannes Lions Festival.
But Rocky calling Rihanna his wife might just be an act of endearment.
A source presumably close to the pair told one celebrity news website that Rocky and Rihanna discussed getting married.
However, they put their marital plans on hold after welcoming their two children.
The couple welcomed their first child, RZA, in May 2022. Rihanna gave birth to RZA’s younger brother, Riot, on August 1, 2023.
Speculations about Rihanna and Rocky’s romantic entanglement may have started in November 2020.
The gossip came after a report claiming that someone saw the pair having dinner with friends at the Beatrice Inn in New York.
However, the couple only confirmed their relationship in May 2021.
A$AP Rocky is one of hip-hop culture’s trailblazers. People know him for his experimental rap music, fashion sense, fondness for psychedelic drugs, and romantic life (former girlfriends include rapper Iggy Azalea and model Kendall Jenner).
Rocky burst into the rap scene in 2011, earning a staggering $3 million deal with Sony-RCA (Radio Corporation of America) record label.
He eventually became the most successful crew of Harlem’s A$AP Mob collective of producers, video creatives, designers, and MCs (master of ceremonies).
A$AP Mob was co-founded by A$AP Yams, Harlem’s answer to Malcolm McLaren. After joining this creative collective, Rakim Mayers got his rap name A$AP Rocky.
By 2017, Rocky was a front-row regular at fashion events by Gucci (London, Milan), Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein (New York), and Dior (Paris).
A$AP Rocky shared a few teasers from his upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb, during a headline performance at Rolling Loud Sunday.
One track titled “Taylor Swift” gained traction on social media due to its name and provocative lyrics.
Teased in 2022, “Taylor Swift” sparked speculation post-performance after Rocky delivered some scathing remarks, leading fans to wonder who he was addressing. Rocky rapped in several clips:
First, you stole my flow
So I stole your b—h
Then you stole my style
I need at least 10 percent
All due disrespect, I hope you take offense
Fans suspect the lyrical jab was directed at Travis Scott, another well-known rap artist.
They began comparing the two artists shortly after the abovementioned performance.
In one interview, when N.O.R.E. mentioned Travis Scott allegedly stealing Rocky’s “whole style,” the Harlem native nodded and said, “Yeah.”
He explained that he saw similarities but added that he took no offense at Scott taking inspiration from his music.
As of 2019, Rocky’s net worth may be $6 million.
References
- Trump team reportedly ‘angry’ that A$AP Rocky didn’t thank them for involvement in court case
https://www.nme.com/news/music/trump-team-angry-aap-rocky-didnt-thank-involvement-court-case-2541756 - A$AP Rocky opens up about Swedish prison: “That shit was trash”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/aap-rocky-opens-up-about-swedish-prison-that-shit-was-trash-3088987 - ASAP Rocky: A complete timeline of rapper’s assault case
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49333962 - Why A$AP Rocky Was Arrested in Sweden for Assault and What Happens Next
https://pitchfork.com/news/why-asap-rocky-was-arrested-in-sweden-for-assault-and-what-happens-next/ - A$AP Rocky Says Trump Didn’t Help Him Get Out of Jail, But Actually ‘Made It a Little Worse’
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/asap-rocky-talks-trump-jail-documentary-9587430/ - ASAP Rocky: A complete timeline of rapper’s assault case
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49333962 - ASAP Rocky Arrested at LAX Airport: Everything We Know So Far
https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/asap-rocky-arrested-at-lax-airport-everything-we-know/ - A$AP Rocky out on bond after LAX arrest in November shooting
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/ap-rocky-detained-lax-connection-november-2021-shooting-rcna25200 - Rihanna Steps Out with Long Blonde Hair After A$AP Rocky’s Court Appearance
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/rihanna-steps-long-blonde-hair-015520410.html - A$AP ROCKY Ex-A$AP Mob Member Testifies … GUN TO MY STOMACH, HE SAID ‘I’LL KILL YOU’
https://www.tmz.com/2023/11/08/asap-rocky-former-mob-member-relli-testify-shot-hand-criminal-case/ - Video of A$AP Rocky Allegedly Shooting Friend Finally Revealed
https://web.archive.org/web/20231113193144/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/asap-rocky-gun-assault-case-surveillance-video-shooting-1234872125/ - A$AP Rocky Released From Police Custody After Making $550,000 Bail
https://www.eonline.com/news/1328066/asap-rocky-released-from-police-custody-after-making-s550-000-bail - Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Have Reportedly Changed Their Marriage Plans — & Their Inner Circle Can’t Keep Up
https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/2795553/are-asap-rocky-rihanna-married/ - Are Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Married? Here’s Everything We Know
https://www.aol.com/rihanna-ap-rocky-married-everything-120000686.html#:~:text=talked%20about%20getting%20married