Rihanna Supports A$AP Rocky as Jury Returns Not Guilty Verdict

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, seen in a Fenty Skin campaign. Rocky was found not guilty today of two felony assault charges stemming from a 2021 shooting incident in Los Angeles. 

A Los Angeles jury has acquitted rapper A$AP Rocky of two felony assault charges related to a 2021 shooting incident involving his former friend, Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before delivering the not-guilty verdict.

Following the verdict, A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, expressed his gratitude, stating, "Thank y'all for saving my life."

He then embraced his partner, Rihanna, who had been present throughout the trial, along with their two young sons.

Asap rocky jumps and hugs Rihanna after being found not guilty pic.twitter.com/Cg1SpkvsDx

— f⌖ (@ohfold) February 19, 2025

The charges stemmed from a November 6, 2021, altercation in Hollywood, where Ephron alleged that Mayers pointed a semi-automatic firearm at him and fired, resulting in minor injuries. The defense contended that the weapon was a prop gun from a music video shoot, firing only blanks, and argued that Ephron was the aggressor in the incident.

During the trial, fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Twelvyy testified, supporting the defense's claim that the gun was a prop and that Ephron had instigated the confrontation. The prosecution, however, maintained that Mayers had deliberately fired at Ephron.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman acknowledged the jury's decision, stating, "While this was not the result we sought, we respect the jury’s decision and the integrity of our justice system."

With this acquittal, Mayers avoids a potential sentence of up to 24 years in prison. Ephron has also filed a civil lawsuit against Mayers, which remains pending.

This verdict concludes the criminal proceedings related to the 2021 incident, allowing Mayers to continue his personal and professional life without the looming threat of incarceration.

Judge Dismisses Jay-Z Sexual Assault Case ‘With Prejudice,’ Ending Legal Battle

Jay-Z has been officially cleared of sexual assault allegations after a Jane Doe accuser voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit with prejudice, preventing it from being refiled. The lawsuit, which initially named Sean "Diddy" Combs and later identified Jay-Z as "Celebrity A," alleged an attack took place in 2000 at one of Combs' parties following the MTV Video Music Awards. The abrupt dismissal marks the end of a case that had drawn significant media attention and public scrutiny.

In a statement issued Friday, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, denounced the lawsuit as "frivolous, fictitious, and appalling." “This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere,” he said. “The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones, and I have endured can never be dismissed.”

The lawsuit, filed in December, accused Jay-Z of sexual assault and described him as an accomplice to an alleged crime committed at Combs' party. The plaintiff, who remained anonymous under the pseudonym Jane Doe, claimed she had been drugged and raped. However, inconsistencies in her allegations, including statements she made during a mid-December NBC interview in which she admitted to “mistakes,” weakened the case.

Jay-Z’s legal team, led by high-profile attorney Alex Spiro, aggressively pushed back against the allegations. Spiro dismissed the claims as “heinous and false,” highlighting discrepancies in Doe’s account and challenging the credibility of her accusations. Spiro also attempted, unsuccessfully, to have the plaintiff's real name disclosed and sought legal consequences for what he described as a “lack of diligence” in pursuing the case.

Legal maneuvers escalated when Jay-Z filed a separate lawsuit against Doe's attorney, Tony Buzbee, accusing him of extortion. The high-profile Texas lawyer, known for taking on powerful defendants, had previously represented multiple women in sexual misconduct cases against Combs. However, the credibility of the allegations against Jay-Z remained in question, leading to a swift dismissal.

Following the voluntary withdrawal of the lawsuit, Spiro emphasized his client’s complete exoneration. “The false case against Jay-Z, that never should have been brought, has been dismissed with prejudice,” Spiro said. “By standing up in the face of heinous and false allegations, Jay has done what few can — he pushed back, he never settled, he never paid one red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name.”

Legal experts note that a dismissal with prejudice ensures the case cannot be refiled in its current form, providing a definitive conclusion to the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Combs, who remains entangled in multiple legal battles, has yet to issue a statement regarding the latest development. The dismissal comes at a time when the hip-hop mogul faces mounting scrutiny over separate allegations. Despite being removed as a defendant in this particular case, his legal troubles are far from over.

For Jay-Z, the ruling represents both a personal and professional victory. The Roc Nation founder and billionaire entrepreneur has built an empire spanning music, business, and philanthropy. Throughout the ordeal, he maintained his innocence, refusing to engage in settlements or negotiations that would suggest otherwise. The legal victory underscores his commitment to fighting allegations he deemed baseless.

While the case has been closed in court, the public discourse surrounding high-profile accusations and legal battles in the entertainment industry is far from over. The impact of such claims, even when dismissed, lingers in the court of public opinion, leaving lasting effects on reputations and careers. For now, however, Jay-Z walks away from the legal battle unscathed, his name cleared in a lawsuit that will not see another day in court.

From Houston to High Fashion: Paul Wall and Paul Masson Celebrate ‘ICE’ with Exclusive Jewelry Drop

Paul Wall showcases the custom Paul Masson ICE chain and brandy, part of a giveaway tied to his upcoming birthday bash. The Houston rapper and jeweler Johnny Dang are offering one fan the chance to win the $15,000 pendant as the city prepares to celebrate Wall’s legacy.

Paul Wall, the Houston rapper known as "The Iceman," is giving one lucky fan the chance to experience his signature lifestyle, complete with a $15,000 custom chain designed by his longtime jeweler Johnny Dang and a VIP trip to his birthday concert in Dallas. The contest, backed by Paul Masson Brandy, promises the winner an exclusive backstage party where Wall will personally present the jewelry while bottles of Paul Masson ICE, the liquor brand’s latest flavored brandy, are poured.

At first glance, the collaboration seems like a natural fit. Wall, who helped make diamond-studded grillz a hip-hop staple, has built his image around jewelry, luxury, and Houston’s underground rap scene. His partnership with Dang is legendary, their influence cemented in hip-hop history. Owning a custom Johnny Dang chain isn’t just about flash — it’s a status symbol, making this contest feel like more than just a promotional stunt. But behind the glitz and exclusivity, there’s a familiar tension between hip-hop culture and corporate branding, raising the question of whether this is an authentic moment or just another attempt to sell more liquor.

The intersection of hip-hop and alcohol marketing is nothing new. Liquor brands have spent decades embedding themselves into rap culture, from the days when Cognac companies latched onto their unprompted shoutouts in lyrics, to modern deals where rappers become the face of a brand, collecting checks while pushing bottles.

The custom Paul Masson ICE chain, designed by famed jeweler Johnny Dang, features VS and VVS diamonds set in a frosty light blue medallion, mirroring the brand’s signature colors and cooling effect.

 Paul Masson has followed that formula, leveraging hip-hop’s love of luxury while maintaining a mass-market appeal. Its new Paul Masson ICE brandy was even designed with a gimmick tailored to Wall’s persona — the bottle’s thermochromic label shifts color when chilled, mimicking the way diamonds catch the light. Even its 59-proof alcohol content is a nod to Wall’s Houston roots, referencing the 5900 block of Southlea Street where he lived when he dropped "The People's Champ," his Billboard No. 1 album that turns 20 this year.

Wall’s influence, however, extends beyond marketing deals and jewelry. He has remained deeply connected to Houston’s rap scene and his community, organizing school supply drives, helping with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and maintaining his independence in an industry that often exploits artists. He built his brand from the ground up, and his partnership with Dang revolutionized custom jewelry in hip-hop. That legacy is part of what makes this contest appealing — this isn’t just a chain; it’s a symbol of the culture Wall helped shape.

But that authenticity is also what makes the campaign feel like a double-edged sword. For one lucky winner, it’s a chance to step into Wall’s world, draped in a Johnny Dang original while rubbing elbows backstage at a hip-hop event. For everyone else, it’s a well-executed advertisement disguised as a cultural moment. The contest runs through Feb. 28, with details available at PaulMassonIce.com, but as hip-hop continues to be one of the most powerful marketing tools in the world, the bigger conversation about how brands capitalize on the culture is far from over.