A fiery discussion erupted after Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers was found “not guilty” on Tuesday (Feb. 18) in the 2021 shooting case of his former friend A$AP Relli.
As many expressed their gratitude for the verdict, others questioned the perceived disparities in the justice system, in comparison to Tory Lanez’s legal outcome. With both incidents involving high-profile Hip-Hop artists and allegations of firearm use, many drew comparisons between the two cases and rose concern over alleged legal “unfairness.”
In the Harlemite’s case, surveillance footage reportedly showed Rocky in possession of a firearm, yet his defense argued that the weapon was a prop gun. The court ultimately ruled in his favor, acquitting him of the charges.
Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, reacts in court as the verdict is given in his felony assault trial at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on February 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. A$AP Rocky was found not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Daniel Cole-Pool/Getty Images
In contrast, Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion, despite a lack of definitive forensic evidence. Reportedly, the courts found no DNA, nor direct eyewitness who attested to seeing a gun in his hands. However, audio recordings and other information was used in determining Lanez’s fate.
The Toronto star was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The juxtaposition of both cases fueled a widespread debate online with some arguing that the legal system is selective when it comes to Black men in the entertainment industry. Others contended that each case is different and should be judged based on its own unique merits, such as the state the incident took place in.
Many others raised the question of “how can one artist be acquitted despite video evidence of firearm possession, while another is convicted despite an absence of hard forensic proof?”
See social media’s reactions below:
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