An intense wave of relief washed over Tyler, The Creator as he learned that his close friend, A$AP Rocky, walked free from his felony assault trial, not guilty on all counts. Nearly fainting from the news, Tyler’s reaction captured the raw emotion of a drama-filled courtroom saga.
The trial, which began on January 24, had the hip-hop world on edge until it wrapped up three long weeks later, on February 14. Just four days later, the jury delivered their decision after about three hours of deliberation.
Tyler celebrated the verdict by sharing an emotional photo on his Instagram Stories, showcasing Pretty Flacko embracing his lawyer, Joe Tacopina. This victory was not just for Rocky but a moment of triumph for all those who stood by him.
At his Chromakopia World Tour in Los Angeles, Tyler opened up about his feelings to the audience. “I almost passed out when they read the verdict,” he admitted. “My brother Rocky is not guilty! That’s a testament to watch who y’all keep around you because n-ggas be jealous, bum ass, loser ass, bitch ass n-ggas ready to take you down. I’m so grateful for my muthafuckin brothers. I done had the same friends for almost 20 years. I love y’all n-ggas so damn much.” His heartfelt shout-out to Rocky, “I love you n-gga. My n-gga free. Yessir!”, resonated with fans and friends alike.
Social media lit up with reactions. Rihanna celebrated her boyfriend’s acquittal, turning to her followers with a message of gratitude and humility: “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy.”
50 Cent, another figure heavily invested in the trial, wasn’t shy in his response either. He had long criticized Rocky’s accuser, A$AP Relli, and took to Instagram to express his thoughts: “Not guilty I told [ninja emoji] I would bet 500,000 K he gonna beat it… BOOM. Now stay sucker free.”
Kanye West kept it simple, posting a somber black and white image of Rocky in court with praying hands emoji, a nod to the seriousness of the situation and relief for the verdict.
The stakes were incredibly high throughout, with Rocky facing up to 24 years in prison if found guilty. Prosecutors were ready to recommend a sentence of eight to ten years, highlighting the serious potential consequences Rocky faced.
Tyler The Creator, alongside many in the hip-hop community, breathed a collective sigh of relief at A$AP Rocky’s acquittal. The trial was a stark reminder of the people we surround ourselves with and the unwavering bonds of friendship.
