A$AP Relli’s ongoing lawsuit against A$AP Rocky may be nearing its end after a California judge strongly advised him to walk away to avoid significant financial consequences.
Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, filed the case in 2023, accusing Rocky (Rakim Mayers) and his lawyer Joe Tacopina of defamation. He claims they damaged his reputation by labeling him a liar and extortionist after he accused Rocky of involvement in a 2021 shooting.
During a September 8 hearing in Los Angeles, Judge Randolph M. Hammock urged Relli to reconsider pushing forward. “I would urge you to contact the other side and see if a deal can be made,” Hammock said. “Maybe in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit, they’ll drop their claim for fees. … Maybe it’s time to cut your losses.”
Rocky’s attorneys are seeking to have the case thrown out on free speech grounds. If they succeed, Relli could be forced to pay Rocky’s legal expenses, which Hammock warned could reach “tens of thousands, easily.”
Now representing himself after parting ways with his previous law firm, Relli told the court he has already spent heavily to keep the case alive. “I’ve already invested over $500,000. I paid [my prior law firm] Sheppard Mullin, and they left me at the last minute. So now, I’m stuck on my own. I’m just fighting for my rights here,” he said.