A former close friend of A$AP Rocky, Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, is set to take the stand Wednesday in what is expected to be the most pivotal moment of the rapper’s ongoing trial. The trial centers around allegations that Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, fired a gun at Ephron during a heated confrontation on a Hollywood street in 2021.
Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. His defense attorney argues that the shots fired were blanks from a starter pistol, merely a prop rather than a real threat. However, the prosecution maintains that the incident was a serious act of aggression, and Ephron’s testimony is expected to play a crucial role in determining the case’s outcome.
On Tuesday, Ephron recounted the lead-up to the confrontation but was cut off before detailing the alleged shooting as court adjourned for the day. He described how his friendship with Rocky, which began when they were part of the A$AP collective in high school, had significantly deteriorated over the years. While tensions had been mounting between the two, Ephron admitted he was still shocked when Rocky allegedly pulled a firearm on him after a brief altercation near the W Hotel in Hollywood.
“I told him to use it. Because mentally I couldn’t believe it,” Ephron testified, describing his disbelief and anger. “I physically could not believe there was a gun in my face. That was the breaking point for me.”
Ephron explained that he had hoped to settle their differences rather than escalate the situation, as a public altercation could have serious repercussions on his modest but growing music management business.
“He’s famous,” Ephron stated. “I’m nobody.”
Wednesday’s court session will be shorter than usual due to a scheduling conflict involving the prosecution, but the testimony is expected to be intense. Rocky’s defense team is likely to subject Ephron to rigorous cross-examination, challenging his credibility and recollection of events.
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