Back in July, we reported on the unique case of A$AP Rocky, and the reactions from other members of the hip-hop community.
In terms of rap artists, Rocky has been going through one of the most unique and highly publicized legal battles in recent times.
Set in Stockholm, Sweden with a geopolitical component that includes the seated President of the United States chirping at the Swedish Prime Minister through a series of off the cuff tweets, the case is easily of the strangest and most bizarre that the hip-hop world has seen.
It starts with 30-year-old Rocky and his entourage being stalked–then being arrested on July 30 after retaliating—and has since seen Donald Trump ridicule Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party via Twitter for not securing Rocky’s release, send the top US hostage negotiator Robert C. O’Brien to Stockholm to monitor the trial, and make a tweet directed at Rocky with an attempt to show off his own punny wordplay.
“A$AP Rocky released from prison and on his way home to the United States from Sweden. It was a Rocky Week, get home ASAP A$AP!”
The trial ended today and Rocky has been released from custody. The verdict reading will be on Aug. 14, and if he’s sentenced to jail time, Swedish authorities will expect him to turn himself to do his time. In the meantime, he’s allowed to return to the United States. That being said, while the prosecutor has asked for a six-month prison sentence, many people believe probation will be the most probable outcome.
Trump’s overall involvement with the case has had mixed reactions, and has stepped up a few notches since Kim Kardashian West first reached out to him about a few weeks ago.
In mid-July it was reported that Kim contacted the White House About Rocky’s detention in Sweden, and lobbied Trump’s son-in-law adviser Jared Kushner, who then informed the president of the situation. Kim thanked the president earlier today. Various artists have posted messages of support for Rocky including Drake, who took time out of promoting his new Care Package compilation to hail him up on Instagram.
Earlier today, Rocky thanked his supporters and the court via Instagram. He wrote: “THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO ALL OF MY FANS, FRIENDS AND ANYONE ACROSS THE GLOBE WHO SUPPORTED ME DURING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS I CANT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR ALL OF YOU THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT AND HUMBLING EXPERIENCE I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR ALLOWING ME BLADI AND THOTO TO RETURN TO OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF THE LOVE AND SUPPORT.”
