Prosecutors began laying out their case Friday against hip-hop star ASAP Rocky, aka Rakim Mayers, in a 2021 shooting incident in Hollywood. If convicted, Mayers faces nearly 20 years in prison.

Cindy Ord/WireImage Rapper ASAP Rocky's shooting trial just started, and lawyers are already weighing the potential influence his longtime partner Rihanna could have over the proceedings. On Thursday,

A$AP Rocky will face judgment from a jury of his peers in his felony assault trial—but notably, none of those peers are Black.

As the assault trial unfolds, explosive messages shed light on the tensions between the rapper and his accuser.

Rakim Mayers, better known as the rapper ASAP Rocky, will headline the Rolling Loud festival and serve as a chair of the Met Gala this year — as long as he dodges a conviction at his trial for a 2021 Hollywood shooting.

Prosecutors Allegedly Told Family He Should've Taken Plea Deal Prosecutors Told Family He Should've Taken Plea Deal

A$AP Rocky appeared in court on Friday as the 36-year-old rapper's trial on assault charges got underway in Los Angeles, California.

Rocky’s lawyer thinks ASAP Relli, born Terell Ephron, is in it for the cash. On Friday (Jan. 24), during opening statements in his gun assault trial, defense attorney Joseph Tacopina claimed the bullets fired during the incident were just “warning shots.