By Abigail Holliday
Staff Writer
Rakim Mayers, known professionally as A$AP Rocky, could face 24 years in prison for the alleged shooting of childhood friend A$AP Relli, or Terell Ephron.
The father of two with pop and R&B singer Rihanna came to fame as a part of the A$AP (Always Strive and Prosper) Mob, a collective that consisted of other rappers including Ephron. His first mix-tape, “Live. Love. A$AP,” landed him record deals with Sony Music Entertainment, RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music, according to IMDb.
Mayers was first arrested in April 2022 in relation to an alleged shooting that occurred on Nov. 6, 2021. LAPD were granted a warrant to search the rapper’s home, according to Rolling Stone.
On Nov. 6, after exchanging harsh and vulgar text messages, Mayers texted Ephron instigating a meetup between them. The two former friends met outside of the W Hotel, located in Hollywood, to “talk,” according to Ephron. Ephron testified to egging Mayers on, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Illijah Ulanga, or A$AP Illz, and Jamel Phillips, A$AP Twelvyy, two other members of the A$AP Mob and friends of Mayers, arrived with Mayers and attempted to break up the altercation between him and Ephron. As Mayers began to walk away, Ephron admitted to following after the three and “got everything off of his chest.” It was then when Mayers allegedly turned around and shot Ephron.
Ephron said he felt his left hand get “hot” and a picture was shown in court of the knuckles of his fingers “skinned raw,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
There was surveillance camera footage outside of the hotel, recording what appeared to be the four men during their altercation shown as evidence by the prosecution. A video of the actual shooting was not recorded, but two distinct shots can be heard.
The two had fallen out when Mayers rose to fame. Ephron claimed that Mayers made “open-ended promises” on potential projects to make Ephron money.
Joe Tacopina, Mayers’ lawyer, requested a push back on the trial date, which was originally scheduled for Nov. 22, due to Mayers’ tour dates in November. This request was granted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec.
“He’s eager to get to this trial as quickly as possible.…I’m confident, knowing the evidence, that he will be vindicated,” Tacopina told Rolling Stone outside of the courtroom on Oct. 21 for his preliminary hearing.
Tacopina claimed in court that Ephron was clearly trying to “extort” Mayers for money and that his client was “a victim of a failed shakedown,” according to Rolling Stone.
Camille Vasquez, Ephron’s new lawyer, filed a second complaint against Mayers and his lawyer Tacopina. Vasquez claimed that they had “defamed” her client with their extortion argument, written by the Rolling Stone.
Mayers has pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony assault with a firearm, and the trial date has been set for Jan. 21, 2025.
