A$AP Rocky supported by mom Renee and entourage ‘bigger than Kardashians’ but not Rihanna as shooting trial begins

A$AP Rocky created a stir with his entourage and designer looks as he was supported by his mom - but not his girlfriend Rihanna - at his gun trial this week.

The rapper has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in an Los Angeles courtroom.

Rocky, who's real name Rakim Mayers, is facing 24 years behind bars following the 2021 incident where he allegedly fired shots at his former friend A$AP Relli.

He showed up for jury selection at court in Los Angeles with a team bigger than the Kardashians' entourage when they went up against Blac Chyna in her $100 million defamation trial in 2022.

Rocky was flanked by an entourage including his mom Renee Black, sister Erika, security guards, and at least one personal assistant - who was tasked with carrying his designer Goyard briefcase.

An eyewitness told The U.S. Sun on Wednesday: "He turned up with his entourage in two blacked-out SUVs, which were often in a no parking zone with the engine running.

"It was like the president was in court, even the Kardashians were more laid back. Rocky meant business.

"You could hear a pin drop when he walked down the corridor with his team, and he avoided the crowded area waiting for the elevators at lunch, opting to take the stairs."

Rocky opted for expensive looks for his appearances this week and kept his black designer shades and mask on when he wasn't inside the courtroom.

On Wednesday, the trendsetter opted for a monochromatic style with a black tailored suit with lapels and a black polo shirt.

The rapper's presence at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center had everyone from potential jurors to cafeteria workers in a spin as they tried to sneak photographs on their cell phones of him entering and exiting the court.

PRAISE FOR MOM

There was also some drama in getting in and out of the building as Rocky and his entourage were forced to take the stairs on one occasion due to overcrowding at the elevators.

Late on Wednesday, some jurors even got stuck in an elevator and the fire department was called.

Rocky shares two young sons with Rihanna, RZA and Riot, but the superstar was not in attendance this week.

However, his mom made an impression in the courtroom.

When Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark S. Arnold asked about Rocky's supporters, he identified them as his mother and sister, per Complex.

Rocky's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, then joked, "You can't tell, right, which one's the mom?"

Arnold then joked, "You must have had him when you were about 7?" to which Black clarified that she was 26 when she gave birth.

He then reportedly complimented her, saying, "You are very beautiful. That's on the record."

She later thanked supporters outside for praising her appearance.

Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff also told Rocky outside, "The judge thinks your mom is gorgeous," to which he was seen laughing in a video clip before walking towards his car.

The judge also previously ruled in an earlier court hearing that Rihanna would be referred to as his significant other and not "common-law wife" - because they are not legally married.

PROP GUN CLAIM

Rocky's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, previously told Rolling Stone at an earlier hearing, "Rocky is very protective of Rihanna and prefers to keep her away from this matter."

On the first day of jury selection, the rapper rejected a plea deal that included a reduced sentence of 180 days in county jail, probation, community service, and anger management.

The deal could have left Rocky in a tricky situation with a felony record, which could affect him traveling overseas for work, per Rolling Stone.

The outlet says his defense argued that the gun he allegedly used during the altercation was only a "prop gun" used for security purposes.

Prosecutors claim he fired multiple shots at A$AP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, during an argument over an alleged unpaid funeral expense, which Ephron denies.

Rocky claimed that his former pal has fabricated the incident and injuries to extort him.

During this week's court sessions, his legal team also raised concerns about the jury pool's lack of diversity, mentioning that only five of the 106 potential jurors were Black.

"We're in downtown Los Angeles. Not a small town in Montana. We're troubled by that to say the least," Tacopina said.

The attorney also previously told Rolling Stone, "He's eager to share his side of the story. He's intelligent, articulate, and a good human being. If he testifies, that will come through. But the decision to testify will depend on how the trial unfolds."

Although surveillance footage of the altercation was reportedly shown during a 2023 preliminary hearing, the video did not capture the alleged shooting.

LAPD detective Frank Flores also testified at the time that the footage provided "nothing clear" regarding the incident.

Rocky's lawyer added, "There's a reason why a thorough search by ten police officers didn't uncover any shell casings. It's not because they were careless. It’s because there weren't any to find."

Jury selection continued into Thursday and Rocky was seen back in court in the morning with his mother, sister, and team.