A$AP Rocky just won a major victory in the law, and his lawyer possibly gained something other than a victory in the courthouse—perhaps he gained a future namesake.
Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, also presented a light-hearted tale after the 2021 case acquittal of the rapper. Speaking to Extra, the attorney joked that the rapper and singer promised to give the next child born to them his name in gratitude.
“They grabbed me and they’re telling me, ‘Listen, the next baby A$AP Joe, I’m going to hold you to that!’ I responded,”
Tacopina remembered, chuckling.
While it’s unclear if the pair are actually in the market for the moniker, what’s sure is the closeness between Rocky and Rihanna, and the family bond between them during the trial.
The allegations are founded in a 2021 incident in which he allegedly fired a semiautomatic handgun at his former associate, A$AP Relli. The stakes were huge; a guilty verdict could have seen him sentenced to 24 years in prison.
As the foreperson read the verdict, the nervous energy in the air dissipated. Rocky, whose real first name is Rakim Mayers, ran around the stand to greet his family. His girlfriend, global superstar Rihanna, struggled to hold back tears, her face streaked by tears, and clung to Rocky in her relief. The young sons of the couple, RZA and Riot, also appeared, sporting childlike, simple smiles in the face of the gravity of the event.
In the heat of all the emotion, Rocky went to his defense attorney, Joe Tacopina. Eagerly, his voice filled with thanks, he thanked the jury, saying,
“Thank y’all for saving my life. Thank y’all for making the good decision.”
And he embraced Tacopina, thanking him truly for his consistent support and devotion throughout the trial.
The bond between Rocky, Rihanna, and Tacopina exceeded the typical attorney-client bond. Tacopina recalled during the trial when the duo appeared in his office and read to him a special promise.
“They hugged me and they said, ‘Our next child is A$AP Joe,'”
Tacopina recalled, laughing. The light-hearted promise indicated the great trust and fraternity among them in the rough times.
The lawyer’s connection to the duo isn’t merely about the law. The superstar parents’ twin kids, RZA and Riot, also received regular babysitting from the lawyer, whenever the superstar parents needed some added support.
“I’ve spent some quality time around their kids. I’ve babysat them. I consider them family at this point,”
the lawyer disclosed. From his role in the law, he’s become a lawyer and counselor, and now, possibly, an honorary namesake.
Rihanna showed solidarity to her boyfriend, bringing the pair’s two sons—RZA, 2½, and 18-month-old Riot—along to the Los Angeles courthouse. The toddlers only ventured into the public occasionally, sitting in silence at the side of their superstar mom. Wearing a sleek raincoat in light color, Rihanna carried herself admirably, balancing motherly responsibilities and standing at the side of her man.
During a brief halt in the courtroom, the family shared a tender moment in the hall. Rocky and Rihanna each held one of their sons in a quiet family hug. The family prepared to return to the courtroom, and Rihanna enticed the kids, saying,
“Wish Daddy good luck.”
Fans and celebrities welcomed the verdict in celebration. Rihanna went to her Instagram, posting,
“The glory belongs to God and God alone!”
Fans flooded social sites with memes, jokes, and celebratory messages. Some went along with the reveal in the defendant’s title, posting, “Baby ASAP Joe’s about to have the best godfather ever!”
Despite the overall optimism, some expressed skepticism about the verdict, decrying the integrity of the trial. However, the overall sentiment remained overwhelmingly joyful and relieved, most significantly among the dedicated fanbase of Rocky and Rihanna.
