Born in United States · Nationality American — Music / rap

A$AP Rocky

Also known as: Rakim Athelston Mayers, Rakim Mayers, Lord Flacko

Music Celebrities, influencers and social media

American rapper born in New York in 1988 and a member of the A$AP Mob collective.

New York rapper A$AP Rocky was convicted in Sweden in 2019 after a street fight. In February 2025 he was acquitted of criminal charges over a 2021 Hollywood incident; the complainant later dropped his civil assault claim, while a defamation claim against Rocky's lawyer continues. Other civil suits and controversies over his remarks and concerts are documented.

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Profile No. 5829 · Updated on 31 October 2026

13Documented controversies

21Sources

2 followed by a conviction ·

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2023–July 2026

2023–2026: A$AP Relli's defamation claim against Rocky's lawyer Joe Tacopina

Civil / administrative proceedings — against Joe Tacopina, A$AP Rocky's lawyer, and his firm

Protagonist not prosecuted — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Following his civil suit against Rocky over the 2021 confrontation, Terell Ephron (A$AP Relli) brought defamation claims against the rapper's lawyer Joe Tacopina and his firm over public statements made during the case. After Judge Randolph M. Hammock refused to dismiss them, Tacopina appealed in December 2025; the part of the case against him has been stayed since January 2026, and in July the judge was weighing an extension of the stay. No ruling on the merits is known.

State of the evidence: Proceedings reported by Hoodline from court records; defamation not established.
Legal status — source text: Claims against Tacopina stayed since January 2026 pending appeal; no ruling on the merits.
Attribution: The defamation claim targets Rocky's lawyer and his firm.
Person targeted by the proceedings: Joe Tacopina, A$AP Rocky's lawyer, and his firm
Role of the person profiled: Protagonist not prosecuted

Sources · 1

[1]
HoodlineL.A. Judge Mulls Freeze In A$AP Rocky Defamation Fight22 July 2026MediaMedium reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

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Case · 3 documented stages

2025: Los Angeles jury acquits Rocky

Acquitted / conviction overturned

February 2025

2025: Los Angeles jury acquits Rocky

Acquitted / conviction overturned

On 18 February 2025, a Los Angeles jury acquitted Rocky of both semiautomatic firearm-assault counts arising from the 2021 incident. The defence challenged whether a real gun was involved and disputed the complainant’s credibility. The verdict resolved criminal liability, not every separate civil claim.

State of the evidence: Jury verdict in his favour; no criminal offence established in this case.
Legal status — source text: Criminal acquittal entered on 18 February 2025.
Attribution: Firearm assault allegations of which he was acquitted.
Course of the proceedings: 15.08.2022 Formally charged — Two felony firearm-assault charges filed.

Sources · 2

[1]
CBS Los AngelesA$AP Rocky found not guilty in assault trial in Los Angeles18 February 2025MediaHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianA$AP Rocky found not guilty in gun assault trial18 February 2025MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

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August 2022–November 2025

2025: Civil assault claims reportedly withdrawn

Civil / administrative proceedings

Terell Ephron also sought damages from Rocky in a civil suit over the Hollywood incident. After the criminal acquittal, the suit was set for trial in January 2026, but Ephron’s lawyer said in November 2025 that he was withdrawing the assault claims. A court order formally closing the claim was not located in the reviewed sources.

State of the evidence: Withdrawal reported by the claimant’s lawyer; no civil judgment finding an assault.
Legal status — source text: Claim withdrawal announced on 11 November 2025; formal closure order not independently reviewed.
Attribution: Alleged Hollywood assault in a civil claim reportedly withdrawn.

Sources · 3

[1]
Rolling Stone AustraliaA$AP Rocky Accuser Unfazed by Rapper’s Acquittal, Gets Trial Date for Lawsuit27 February 2025MediaHigh reliability
[2]
ComplexASAP Relli Drops ASAP Rocky Shooting Lawsuit, Says He’s Ready to Move On12 November 2025MediaHigh reliability
[3]
The SourceA$AP Relli Drops Assault Lawsuit Against A$AP Rocky, Says He’s “Ready to Move On”12 November 2025MediaMedium reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

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November 2021–August 2022

2022: Charges after the 2021 Hollywood confrontation

Acquitted / conviction overturned

After a November 2021 Hollywood confrontation with former friend Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, Rocky was arrested in April 2022 and charged that August with two felony firearm-assault counts. Prosecutors alleged that he fired towards Ephron. The case eventually ended in an acquittal in February 2025.

State of the evidence: Formal charges documented; the prosecution did not prove its case at trial.
Legal status — source text: Both criminal counts resolved by a not-guilty verdict on 18 February 2025.
Attribution: Allegedly firing a gun towards a former friend.
Course of the proceedings: 15.08.2022 Formally charged — Charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

Sources · 2

[1]
Los Angeles TimesASAP Rocky charged with felony assault with a firearm in November shooting in Hollywood15 August 2022MediaHigh reliability
[2]
CBS Los AngelesA$AP Rocky found not guilty in assault trial in Los Angeles18 February 2025MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

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June 2015–January 2020

2015: Comments on Ferguson and police violence

No legal proceedings

In interviews Rocky challenged the idea that a Black rapper was obliged to address Ferguson and police violence. The comments drew criticism, especially when resurfacing during his Swedish detention in 2019. He later argued that his words had been taken out of context.

State of the evidence: The interviews and subsequent response were reported.
Legal status — source text: Public debate over statements; no known court proceedings.
Attribution: Public statements criticised as insufficiently supportive on police violence.

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianA$AP Rocky at Oxford Union: ‘I’m scared of women now’18 June 2015MediaHigh reliability
[2]
NMEA$AP Rocky addresses controversial 2015 Ferguson comments8 January 2020MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

Case · 2 documented stages

2019: Pre-trial detention after Stockholm street fight

Conviction

June–August 2019

2019: Pre-trial detention after Stockholm street fight

Conviction

Following a Stockholm street fight on 30 June, Rocky was arrested and held in custody for several weeks. His detention prompted public interventions, including from Donald Trump, and debate over Swedish judicial independence. Rocky said he had tried to avoid the clash and acted in self-defence.

State of the evidence: Arrest, detention and political intervention are documented; the court later rejected self-defence.
Legal status — source text: The detention was followed by a Swedish conviction on 14 August 2019.
Attribution: Involvement in a street confrontation examined by a Swedish court.
Course of the proceedings: 25.07.2019 Formally charged — Assault charges brought in the Stockholm case.

Sources · 1

[1]
PBS NewsHour / Associated PressA$AP Rocky found guilty of assault by Swedish court14 August 2019News agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

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August 2019

2019: Swedish assault conviction

Conviction

On 14 August 2019 a Stockholm court found Rocky and two others guilty of assault during the 30 June fight. It imposed conditional sentences with no prison term. Prosecutors said on 27 August they would not appeal, and no later reversal was identified.

State of the evidence: Guilt established by the Stockholm court; a conditional sentence was imposed.
Legal status — source text: Convicted on 14 August 2019; prosecutors did not appeal and no reversal located by 31 October 2026.
Attribution: Assault on a man during a street fight.
Course of the proceedings: 25.07.2019 Formally charged — Assault charges brought in Stockholm.

Sources · 2

[1]
PBS NewsHour / Associated PressA$AP Rocky found guilty of assault by Swedish court14 August 2019News agencyHigh reliability
[2]
Spectrum News / Associated PressSwedish prosecutor won’t appeal A$AP Rocky verdict27 August 2019News agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

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Case · 2 documented stages

2013: Philadelphia concert charges later dropped

Case dismissed / dropped

July 2014–April 2015

2015: Settlement ends audience member’s civil lawsuit

Civil / administrative proceedings

The Made in America attendee sought at least $75,000 in civil damages for injuries she attributed to being slapped. The parties settled in 2015 and the court dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing the same claims from being refiled. The settlement terms were not disclosed.

State of the evidence: The settlement and dismissal are documented; the disputed conduct was not publicly adjudicated.
Legal status — source text: Civil lawsuit ended by settlement and dismissal with prejudice in April 2015.
Attribution: Alleged physical injury to a concert attendee.

Sources · 3

[1]
PitchforkA$AP Rocky Settles Philadelphia Assault Lawsuit22 April 2015MediaHigh reliability
[2]
PollstarA$AP Slap Suit Settled23 April 2015MediaHigh reliability
[3]
Rolling StoneA$AP Rocky faces lawsuit for allegedly slapping fan24 July 2014MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

August 2013–2014

2013: Philadelphia concert charges later dropped

Case dismissed / dropped

Rocky was charged after an attendee said he slapped her at Philadelphia's Made in America festival in August 2013. According to Rolling Stone, the criminal case was dismissed after a state witness failed to appear. That outcome did not resolve the civil claim that followed.

State of the evidence: The charges and dismissal were reported; criminal guilt was not established.
Legal status — source text: Criminal charges dismissed after a prosecution witness failed to appear.
Attribution: Allegedly slapping a concert attendee.
Course of the proceedings: 06.09.2013 Formally charged — Criminal proceedings brought following an attendee’s assault complaint.

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianA$AP Rocky accused of assaulting fan at Made in America festival6 September 2013MediaHigh reliability
[2]
Rolling StoneA$AP Rocky faces lawsuit for allegedly slapping fan24 July 2014MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

May–August 2015

2015: Lyrics about Rita Ora draw criticism

No legal proceedings

Rocky’s song Better Things drew criticism for derogatory, sexually explicit lyrics naming singer Rita Ora. Ora publicly condemned the remarks. Rocky later acknowledged that the lyrics were in poor taste while maintaining that they reflected what he described as a personal experience.

State of the evidence: The lyrics and public reactions are documented; intimate insinuations are unverified.
Legal status — source text: Public controversy; no legal proceedings reported.
Attribution: Publicly using lyrics criticised as demeaning towards another artist.

Sources · 2

[1]
NMERita Ora criticises ‘tasteless’ A$AP Rocky over crude song lyrics he wrote about her4 August 2015MediaHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianA$AP Rocky: ‘Hanging out with Rod Stewart is like seeing yourself 40 years older and white’2 July 2015MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

June 2012–2013

2012: Civil claim over confrontation in a clothing store

Civil / administrative proceedings

A man filed a civil claim alleging that Rocky struck him in a New York clothing store during a dispute in June 2012. Their accounts conflict; the claimant also made an unproven allegation about drug use. No outcome of the case has been found.

State of the evidence: Filing documented in press coverage; the competing factual allegations remain contested.
Legal status — source text: Civil proceedings reported; final outcome not located as of 31 October 2026.
Attribution: Allegedly striking a man in a shop.

Sources · 1

[1]
NMEA$AP Rocky sued for assault28 December 2012MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

October 2011–2012

2012: civil claim by a technician struck at a 2011 concert

Civil / administrative proceedings

In July 2012 stage manager and sound technician Anthony Montalbano sued all seven members of A$AP Mob, including Rocky, as well as Sony Music and Fader Media in New York state court, claiming he was struck during the group's set at the Fader Fort in October 2011. The outcome of the case has not been found.

State of the evidence: Claim reported by Pollstar; liability not established.
Legal status — source text: Civil claim filed in July 2012; outcome not found as of 31 October 2026.
Attribution: Alleged involvement in violence at a concert.

Sources · 1

[1]
PollstarA$AP Mob Lawsuit23 July 2012MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

December 2012

2012: Guilty plea over attempted theft of a camera

Conviction

After a confrontation with two people photographing him in New York, Rocky pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny involving a camera. The original assault and attempted robbery charges were dropped under the plea agreement. He received three days of community service and a $250 fine.

State of the evidence: The criminal plea and disposition were covered by multiple publications.
Legal status — source text: Guilty plea and penalty reported on 12 December 2012; no subsequent reversal found.
Attribution: Attempting to take a camera during a confrontation.
Course of the proceedings: 19.07.2012 Formally charged — Charges brought after a confrontation with two photographers.

Sources · 2

[1]
PitchforkA$AP Rocky Pleads Guilty to Attempted Grand Larceny, Charges of Robbery and Assault Dropped12 December 2012MediaHigh reliability
[2]
NMEA$AP Rocky pleads guilty to attempted grand larceny13 December 2012MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 31 October 2026

Add to this entry Any news?

II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)

Donald Trump1 documented reference
- A publiquement plaidé pour la libération du rappeur pendant sa détention en Suède en 2019. Source ↗
Rihanna1 documented reference
- Présente au procès pénal de Los Angeles en 2025 ; aucune mise en cause dans cette affaire. Source ↗

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Controversia profile, updated 31 October 2026. Latest version: https://controversia.info/en/fiche/a-ap-rocky