'I'm innocent': A$AP Rocky refers to trial for shooting former friend in new song with Doja Cat after skipping last hearing
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a surprising lyrical twist, rapper A$AP Rocky has openly addressed the impending trial over the alleged shooting of his former friend Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, through bars featured on Doja Cat's newly released track 'URRRGE!!!!!!!!!!'
The provocative verse comes on the heels of Rocky's notable absence from a pre-trial hearing last month, further fueling speculation surrounding the high-profile case, as reported by The Daily Mail.
A$AP Rocky proclaims his innocence with reference to animated character Thugnificent
In his opening lines on the track, Rocky wastes no time addressing the legal trouble he faces, proclaiming his innocence with a reference to the animated character Thugnificent from 'The Boondocks': "Yeah, I look like Thugnificent / Will someone tell the judge I'm innocent?"
The lyrics mark Rocky's first public comment on the case since pleading not guilty in January to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. If convicted, the 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, could face up to eight years in prison.
The charges stem from a November 6, 2021, altercation in Hollywood, where prosecutors allege Rocky pointed a gun at his former friend and fellow Harlem native Ephron. According to the prosecution, Rocky shot at Ephron during the confrontation, leaving him with minor injuries.
In a preliminary hearing last November, Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, citing video footage and testimony presented by the prosecution.
Rocky's attorney, however, has attempted to cast doubt on the case, questioning the evidence during the cross-examination of a police detective.
Shooting incident shed light on relationship between A$AP Rocky and Terell Ephron
The shooting incident has shed light on the once-close relationship between Rocky and Ephron, who were teenage friends and members of the A$AP collective, a group of New York high school students pursuing music and artistic endeavors.
According to Ephron's testimony at an earlier hearing, the two maintained their friendship as Rocky's fame grew, but tensions arose when Rocky began backing out of business ventures. Ephron claimed that during the 2021 altercation, Rocky held a gun to his stomach and threatened, "I'll kill you right now," before firing rounds and leaving the scene.
The prosecution has presented surveillance video that they claim shows Rocky holding a gun and potentially firing it, though his lawyers have denied these assertions.
