LOS ANGELES — Rapper A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a firearm charges in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday.

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The 33-year-old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was charged Monday in connection with a November 2021 shooting in Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Mayers is accused of firing a gun twice in the direction of a former friend during an argument in Hollywood in November 2021, according to The Associated Press. He appeared in person at Los Angeles Superior Court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, People reported.

Los Angeles Superior Court Victoria B. Wilson ordered the Harlem rapper to stay away from his former friend, according to the AP.

Rolling Stone reported last week that the victim, Terell Ephron, filed a civil lawsuit seeking at least $25,000 in damages against Mayers over the shooting. The former A$AP Mob member, also known as A$AP Relli, alleged in the suit that Mayers “lured” him to an obscure Hollywood location to discuss their disagreement.

Mayers was first arrested for the incident at Los Angeles International Airport on April 20; he was released on bail the same day.

A member of A$AP Mob, A$AP Rocky came to prominence with his 2011 single, “Peso,” according to the AP.

His 2013 debut album, “Long. Live. A$AP,” went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His follow-up album two years later, “At. Long. Last. A$AP” also topped the Billboard 200 charts.

He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards -- for best music video and best rap song.

Mayers is in a relationship with Rihanna, and the couple had a son in May.

Mayers faces as many as nine years in prison if convicted, Rolling Stone reported. He was ordered to return to court on Nov. 2, according to the AP.

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Through the years Rapper A$AP Rocky performs onstage at the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images For BET) (Earl Gibson III)

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