A$AP Rocky Named Ray-Ban’s First-Ever Creative Director 3 Days After Felony Assault Acquittal

A$AP Rocky just secured his latest role in fashion.

The musician and entrepreneur, 36, was announced as Ray-Ban’s first-ever creative director on Friday, Feb. 21 — marking a new position for the “Fashion Killa” rapper just days after he was found not guilty in his felony assault trial in Los Angeles.

Rocky — whose longtime work in fashion has included appearing in campaigns, partnering with Puma and now co-chairing the forthcoming 2025 Met Gala — will be “guiding creative projects” and “shaping the future” of the brand as part of its Ray-Ban Studios, according to a news release.

And he’s already getting started. Expected to arrive in April, Rocky will help launch Ray-Ban’s new Blacked Out Collection — which the brand describes as a redesign of its Mega Icons glasses featuring “disruptive frames” that mesh the classic look with a “modern” twist.

The new collection features “gold plated details” and “ultra-black lenses,” as part of Rocky’s first move in his new role, which will allow him to design his own eyewear, direct campaigns and redesign stores themselves with influences from music, fashion and the arts, per a release.

“I’ve always admired Ray-Ban’s ability to stay true to its roots while constantly evolving,” Rocky said in a statement. “I’m excited to be part of the strong heritage and develop the next chapter for an iconic brand like Ray-Ban.”

In a statement of his own, Ray-Ban President Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio wrote that the brand was welcoming Rocky “into our family.”

“For nearly 80 years the brand has been on the faces of the most iconic musicians, artists, actors and heroes – shaping and re-shaping the status quo, leading cultural revolutions of all the times,” he wrote. “… [Rocky is] a visionary artist and creator. His ability to push the boundaries of the diverse worlds he explores, aligns with the Ray-Ban DNA. We are reinforcing the brand’s values of innovation, pioneering spirit, and courage. Let the future begin!”

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Rocky’s latest appointment comes after he was acquitted by a jury over two charges of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm — as he was accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at former friend A$AP Relli in November 2021. The verdict was announced at Los Angeles’ Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday, Feb. 18, following a three-hour deliberation.

Last month, as he was facing the two felony charges, Rocky opted for a jury trial and turned down a plea deal from prosecutors — risking 24 years in prison if found guilty ahead of the eventual acquittal.

A source told PEOPLE on Thursday that, following the not-guilty verdict, Rocky and Rihanna are now keeping their attention on sons RZA, 2½, and Riot, 18 months. “They have lived in this stressful bubble for the past month. It’s been all about the trial,” the insider said. “They are planning a family trip with the kids to spend some quality family time and to get their minds in a better place.”

Back in October, Rocky was announced as one of the 2025 Met Gala co-chairs, alongside Colman Domingo, F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams  Anna Wintour and honorary chair LeBron James, with the May 5 event honoring the Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” He’s also continuing to tease his forthcoming album Don’t Be Dumb.