A$AP Rocky’s longtime friend and collaborator, A$AP Twelvyy, testified in a Los Angeles court on Friday, claiming that the rapper fired a starter pistol—not a real firearm—during a 2021 altercation on a Hollywood street. His testimony is a key part of Rocky’s defense against two felony assault charges, which could lead to a 24-year prison sentence if convicted.
“He carried a prop, like a starter pistol,” Twelvyy told the jury, emphasizing that he had seen it multiple times before the incident. He also suggested that the alleged victim, A$AP Relli, was aware the gun wasn’t real when Rocky pulled it out.
Twelvyy’s account contradicts Relli’s claim that Rocky aimed a real firearm at his head and stomach before firing. Instead, he said Rocky only discharged the starter pistol to scare Relli away from attacking another crew member, A$AP Illz.
Prosecution Challenges Testimony
During cross-examination, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin questioned how a fake gun, especially one Relli allegedly knew was not real, could serve as a deterrent. Twelvyy responded that the loud sound of the starter pistol was enough to make someone believe it was real and back off.
Lewin pressed further, expressing skepticism about whether Rocky’s actions were truly meant for defense or if they were meant to intimidate. Authorities never recovered the gun in question, and the defense does not have possession of it. Police initially found no evidence of a shooting, but Relli later turned in two shell casings, which he claimed to have recovered from the scene.
Rocky and Rihanna Draw Attention
Rocky’s partner, music icon Rihanna, was present in court for the proceedings. For the first time, the couple was seen leaving the courthouse together, walking arm-in-arm before getting into a waiting SUV. Their public appearance added to the high-profile nature of the trial.
Tension Among A$AP Mob
A$AP Mob, the collective of musicians and artists that formed in a New York high school nearly 20 years ago, has seen tensions rise, particularly between Rocky and Relli. While Rocky rose to mainstream fame in the early 2010s with multiple No. 1 albums and a Grammy-nominated career, Relli has remained largely in the background.
Twelvyy, whose real name is Jamel Phillips, has worked closely with Rocky over the years, appearing in his music videos and acting as his on-stage hype man. He testified that he had seen Rocky with the prop gun on three separate occasions: during a New York music video shoot in July 2021, at a Harlem block party in September, and again in Los Angeles just before the alleged incident.
“This was still the COVID era, and he didn’t have security,” Twelvyy explained. “That was his line of defense.”
Defense Strategy Unveiled Late
The claim that Rocky had used a fake gun was only revealed at the start of jury selection, catching both the judge and prosecution off guard. Twelvyy denied that he was testifying just to protect Rocky, insisting, “I was actually there. I know the truth.”
