A$AP Relli is sharing his take.
Two days after former collaborator A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) was found not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, stemming from a 2021 altercation during which Relli alleged Rocky shot at him with a real gun, the rapper (real name Terell Ephron) gave insight into his reaction.
“Gossiping is a form of entertainment for people who have no meaningful goals or purpose in life” Relli wrote on his Instagram Stories Feb. 20, “hate me, bring shame to my name, say bad things about me, I don’t care.”
The former A$AP Mob member added, “Your existence doesn’t add any value in my life.”
Relli’s statement comes after Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina called him “an angry pathological liar” who “committed perjury again and again and again and again” during his closing argument.
Meanwhile, Rocky expressed relief for the Feb. 18 verdict, diving into the gallery of the courtroom to hug his girlfriend Rihanna and other loved ones after it was read. He also told jurors as they left the courtroom, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”
“This whole experience has been crazy for the past 4 years,” Rocky told reporters when leaving the courthouse, according to Time. “I’m thankful and it’s blessed to be here right now to be a free man talking to y’all.”
For her part, Rihanna—who shares kids RZA Athleston, 2, and Riot Rose, 18 months, with the “F–kin’ Problems” rapper—expressed her reaction on social media.
“THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE!” the “Love on The Brain” singer wrote on her Instagram Story Feb. 18. “THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY!”
The Fenty Beauty founder had previously been open about how much Rocky and their sons mean to her.
“They bring purpose to every aspect of my life,” she told E! News in April. “Motherhood, wifehood-ish—I love it. I love to be a homemaker. I just like to be exciting and celebrate things. I’m trying to build new traditions for our little family that we built.”
Keep reading for more on A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s relationship…
September 2012
In 2012, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky performed their hit “Cockiness” at the MTV Video Music Awards, and their number was so good it deserved a trophy. This wouldn’t be the last time the two shared the stage as they went on tour together in 2013.
September 2013
Fans had this song on replay after Rihanna and A$AP Rocky released the music video for “Fashion Killa” in 2013.
June 2018
As the years went on, they remained friends. In 2018, they attended the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week and, of course, they totally slayed.
December 2019
They also attended The Fashion Awards in 2019, with Rihanna dazzling in a mint Fenty dress and A$AP Rocky looking sharp in a black suit.
September 2021
Met Gala official! Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attended the 2021 Met Gala together in style, with the “Umbrella” singer wearing a black Balenciaga gown and the “A$AP Forever” artist donning a custom ERL quilt and a tuxedo.
February 2022
After announcing they were expecting their first baby, Rihanna recalled keeping her pregnancy a secret from her friends. “It was harder for me to keep it from my posse, because they’re around me, they know my habits,” she told E!’s Justin Sylvester. “They’re like, ‘You don’t want something to drink? You’re not smoking?’ And I’m eating all the things I’m not used to eating. They know I hate sweets and I’m all of a sudden asking for cookies and donuts. But finally, I just had to let it all out, and they were all shocked, of course, as the world was shocked as well.”
February 2022
SOS! These photos are so sweet! As Rihanna and A$AP prepared for their bundle of joy, she continued to show her incredible pregnancy style.
May 2022
While fans wondered if A$AP Rocky had proposed to Rihanna after seeing them sport the words “Marry me?” and “I do” across their teeth in his “D.M.B.” video, sources close to the couple told TMZ in May 2022 the two aren’t engaged.
May 2022
And baby makes three! Multiple outlets report that the couple welcomed a baby in Los Angeles.
February 2023
She debuted her second pregnancy during the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show.
May 2023
The pair take the 2023 Met Gala together in honor of Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.
June 2023
Rihanna accompanied A$AP Rocky during his performance at a Spotify party in Cannes, France.
August 2023
The couple welcomed their second child, son Riot. One month later, they shared their first photos as a family of four in a rare photoshoot.
April 2024
Rihanna confirmed her romance with A$AP began at the end of 2019.
“I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships,” she explained in a conversation for Interview published April 9. “We knew what we’re capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other’s lives. We can make or break each other’s hearts. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution.”
May 2025
Baby No. 3! Shortly before arriving to the 2025 Met Gala, the “Love on the Brain” singer confirmed her pregnancy.
September 2025
Rihanna announced the birth of her daughter Rocki Irish Mayers with a pair of Instagram photos of herself holding the newborn as a set of pink boxing gloves.
