ASAP Rocky & His Lawyer Sued By ASAP Relli For Defamation

BYGabriel Bras Nevares996 Views
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F1 Grand Prix of Miami - Previews
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes meets A$AP Rocky in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 04, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Rocky and Relli had previously paused their civil lawsuit that claimed the former shot the latter in 2021.

It looks like the seemingly paused legal case between A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli just got a huge reopening. For those unaware, the latter sued the former for allegedly shooting him in 2021, a civil case that they paused in December of last year. Moreover, now Relli sued Rocky again, but this time for defamation, and also added his lawyer Joe Tacopina as a defendant according to legal docs reportedly obtained by TMZ. Specifically, the ASAP Mob member claims that the attorney defamed him during a campaign defending the New York rapper. Not only that, but he claims that the father of two directed Tacopina to portray Relli as a cash-hungry, deceitful extortionist.

"Rocky didn't commit a crime," Tacopina said of ASAP Rocky's alleged shooting in an article reportedly cited by this new suit. "It was an extortion attempt by a former associate, who threatened to make false, criminal accusations if Rocky didn't pay him." Furthermore, ASAP Relli wants an unspecified amount in damages in this case, as he stated he received death threats and online harassment due to what he claims are lies about him and the shooting. The "RIOT" MC pled not guilty in the case.

ASAP Rocky At Harlem's Fashion Row Fashion Show & Style Awards

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 05: A$AP Rocky speaks onstage during The 16th Annual Harlem's Fashion Row Fashion Show and Style Awards - Show at The Apollo Theater on September 05, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

"This is actually nothing more than a publicity stunt which is going to backfire badly," ASAP Rocky's lawyer told TMZ. "I more than welcome this lawsuit especially because the resolution of the criminal case has not happened yet. This opens up this extortionist to depositions under oath now before the resolution of the criminal case. It will expose the fraud he committed and unfortunately for his lawyers, it will cause them to be responsible for legal fees in this case.

"They don't know the facts of this case or the actions taken by their client," he continued. "But I will be more than happy to educate them." This further complicated an already murky legal battle, and reopened it in the public eye. We'll see if anything significant comes from this, and if it actually ends up resolving the present shooting debacle. On that note, stay posted on HNHH for the latest news and updates on ASAP Rocky and ASAP Relli's lawsuits.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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