On January 28th, A$AP Relli, born Terell Ephron, took the stand in court to testify about his relationship with his former friend, A$AP Rocky.

This comes as Rocky is accused of firing a gun at Relli on a Hollywood street in 2021. Relli explained that he and Rocky had been friends since high school, but he added that their relationship became strained shortly after Rocky became famous. Relli then detailed the days leading up to the incident in Hollywood, revealing that he was “furious” when Rocky pulled out the gun when they met outside of the W Hotel. 

Relli then explained that he expected to hash things out with Rocky and repair their strained relationship, adding that he didn’t want to risk damaging the modest music management business he had built. Relli told the court, “He’s famous. I’m nobody.” 

A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. His lawyer, Joe Tacopina, maintains that the shots fired were blanks from a starter pistol that Rocky carried as a prop. Prosecutors allege that Rocky fired a gun during the altercation, grazing Relli’s knuckles, while the defence insists that Rocky only fired a starter pistol to de-escalate the fight.

A$AP Rocky, who faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted, has declined a plea deal requiring six months of jail time. His legal team is expected to argue that Relli’s accusations are financially motivated, citing a civil lawsuit Relli filed against the rapper as evidence.