ASAP Rocky’s Acquittal: 50 Cent, Spike Lee, and More React to Verdict

Oscar-winning director Spike Lee is among those celebrating ASAP Rocky's acquittal.

Rocky was found not guilty on Tuesday of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Rocky was arrested in 2022 in connection with what police described at the time as an argument that had escalated into gunfire one year prior.

ASAP Relli, who alleged he was the victim in that incident, took the stand during Rocky’s trial, resulting in several tense exchanges with Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Rocky.

Shortly after his emotional in-court reaction to Tuesday’s verdict, Rocky tweeted out, “DON’T BE DUMB,” a phrase long cited as the potential title for Rocky’s upcoming album. As fans are well aware, the last time Rocky shared a new full-length was nearly seven years ago. Testing, his third studio release, opened at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart upon its May 2018 release.

Rocky’s victory in the case, which notably comes after his prior rejection of a plea deal under which he would have served months behind bars, was celebrated on social media by fellow artists and fans.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman shared a statement calling the verdict “not the outcome we sought” while also expressing respect for “the jury’s decision and the integrity of our justice system.”

See more noteworthy reactions below.

Rihanna

“The glory belongs to God and God alone!” Riri wrote in an Instagram Story shortly after the verdict was announced. “Thankful, humbled by His mercy!”

The singer appeared in court to support Rocky throughout the trial, with her presence in the courtroom a frequent source of discussion on social media.

Spike Lee

The acclaimed director, whose upcoming film boasts a cast led by Rocky, offered his thanks to the judge and the jury in the case on Wednesday.

“ASAP and Denzel Washington are fire in Highest 2 Lowest,” the Do the Right Thing filmmaker wrote on Instagram.

50 Cent

After previously saying he that would bet as much as half a million dollars in Rocky’s favor in the case, Fif commemorated the verdict with another Instagram update, this time urging Rocky to “stay sucker-free.”

Nicki Minaj

“To God be the glory,” Nicki captioned a photo of Rocky, Rihanna, and their two children, soundtracked by her own “Blessings” off 2023’s Pink Friday sequel.

Ye

The artist formerly known as Kanye West, who earlier this month said “I love Hitler” and “I’m a Nazi” on X, shared the praying hands emoji and a black-and-white photo of Rocky in court shortly after news of the verdict broke.