ASAP Rocky has a difficult time trusting after the conclusion of his “traumatic” gun assault trial in February.
The Harlem native was acquitted on two counts of first-degree assault stemming from a 2021 confrontation between him and his childhood friend, Terrell ‘A$AP Relli’ Ephron, in Hollywood. While Rocky maintained his innocence, with his defense lawyers claiming that he was carrying a prop gun, Ephron alleged that shots were fired, injuring his hand. Supported by his longtime partner, Rihanna, and other close family members during the four-week trial, the jury ultimately sided with Rocky.
But in a new Variety cover story, Rocky admitted that the trial uncovered feelings of betrayal, which he will channel on his long-awaited fourth album, Don’t Be Dumb.
“I’m writing about these past four or five years that I had this over me, and it’s been kind of handicapping me,” Rocky told the publication, adding that distrust has been a “lesson learned.”
“I think I had trust issues for a while now. I can’t necessarily blame it on my last situation,” he continued. “But what I did learn is you’ve gotta accept that everybody’s not good people; you’re not gonna run into a solid person every time. Not everybody’s gonna handle situations like you.”
“Once you accept that you’re not responsible for nobody’s actions but yours … That’s where I’m at — like, yo, focus on your own actions. Because I ain’t perfect. I’m human too, and we all fuck up.”
Elsewhere, Rocky showed resistance to thinking about being found guilty. After rejecting a plea deal of 180 days in jail, the rapper faced a maximum of 24 years if convicted.
“You got to stop yourself from thinking like that. Because that could get the best of you, and you can manifest that energy by mistake. I tried to stay positive at all times,” he expressed.
Rocky added that waiting for the decision was “gut-wrenching and nerve-racking” and that he was “scared” for his freedom but was grateful for his support system.
The father of two now wants to move forward, calling the trial a “traumatic situation” that he can’t “dwell” on. Rocky has a busy agenda, preparing for two movie releases, including the Spike Lee-directed Highest 2 Lowest and his upcoming LP.
“I got Cannes to go to. I got an album to make. I got fashion shows to do. I got music to make. I got videos. I got sneakers to drop. I got glasses to be the new creative director of. I got children. I got all type of shit,” he explained. “Like, nah, why would I dwell on that dark-ass shit? I talk about it from time to time, but for the most part, I don’t really think about that shit.”
Rocky was especially in a cheerful mood on Monday evening (May 5), holding down the 2025 Met Gala as co-chair and revealing that he and Rihanna are expecting their third child.
