A$AP Rocky's Incident in Sweden
By Faizan Khalid
A$AP Rocky’s Sweden trip backfires and ends him up in jail.
On July 25th, 2019, Harlem rapper, “A$AP Rocky,” also known as Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was charged with assault after being involved in a fight that took place at 11:24 AM. Two drunk Swedish citizens were mocking Rocky and his management and disturbing the peace. Rocky was originally in Sweden to perform three total shows. After the fight took place, the citizens were transferred to the hospital and Swedish authorities pressed charges on both Rocky and his team due to a collective effort of assault. Trump and his administration inquired into the incident that occurred and negotiated with the Swedish government on the issue.
Rocky’s incident caught the attention of the rap/hip-hop industry rapidly because another famous artist, Kanye West, informed President Donald Trump of what happened, and Trump took immediate action. The two rappers previously knew each other due to their collaborative efforts on different songs, fashion, and shows. Trump informed the Swedish president that there would be “international consequences” if Rocky was not released; therefore, the Swedish president was forced to let him go. In fact, Trump tweeted out, “very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly!” The trial still took place in Sweden even after Rocky came back to the States, and Rocky was in fact proven guilty of the charges. However, Rocky was only forced to pay $1,300 in medical bills for the injured citizens.
The incident has also led to several controversies regarding Trump’s genuine intentions with this situation. The majority of the fanbase of Rocky believes that Trump only helped out the Harlem rapper to increase his credibility and his popularity among the predominantly African-American communities -- specifically in Harlem, New York. Several experts have been investigating the issue and why Trump decided to assist somebody he had no previous knowledge of. Others believe that the president was just trying to help a fellow citizen out. However, the debate still remains uncertain.
