Durk Derrick Banks (born October 19, 1992), known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois.[5] He first garnered a regional following with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), which led to his signing of a recording contract from Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015) and its follow up, Lil Durk 2X (2016) to moderate commercial reception before parting ways with the artist in 2018.
Durk founded the Chicago-based collective and record label Only the Family (OTF) in 2010, for which he serves as the lead member. The group, having released six albums, included slain rapper King Von.[7][8]
Early life
Durk Derrick Banks was born on October 19, 1992, in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. He grew up with a great deal of responsibility at home, as his father was incarcerated when he was seven months old.[9] He recalled that there were times when he did not have enough food at home when he was younger. He began to establish a presence on social media channels like Myspace and YouTube; He grew fond of the idea of being a rapper as his online fan base started to expand.[10]
Banks took his career more seriously after becoming a father at 19 and dropping out of school at Paul Robeson High School in order to join the Black Disciples, a street gang in Chicago.[10] Soon after joining, he began to get into trouble with the law and served time in October 2011 due to gun charges, including possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.[11] He later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated unauthorized use of a weapon, according to court records, and served no time at all.[11]
Career
Early career and rise to popularity
In 2010, Durk released a freestyle to Gucci Mane & Plies’ "Wasted" titled, "Lamron Wasted". That same year he released "L’s Bitch" featuring Lil Reese. After plans to sign with Chief Keef and French Montana's labels fell through,[12] he considered rapping as "a full-time career" after the releases of his two singles, "Sneak Dissin'" and "I'ma Hitta", each of which received generally positive feedback.[13] On October 19, 2012, Durk released his third mixtape, Life Ain't No Joke. As of September 22, 2015, the mixtape has been downloaded over 216,000 times on DatPiff.[14] In December 2012, Durk released the track, called "L's Anthem", which was remixed, featuring French Montana, as a re-release.[15]
2013–2015: Signing to OTF and Def Jam Recordings and Signed to the Streets
Due to the popularity of "L's Anthem" and its follow-up single, "Dis Ain't What U Want" in 2013, Durk accepted a joint venture deal with his collective Only the Family and Def Jam Recordings.[16]
After a small number of delays, Durk's fourth mixtape Signed to the Streets was released on October 14, 2013, exclusively on DatPiff. It features two guest appearances from former Glo Gang affiliate Lil Reese, along with production credits from Paris Bueller and Young Chop, among others.[17] Eight music videos were released to promote the mixtape: "Bars Pt. 2", "Oh My God", "100 Rounds", "Dis Ain't What U Want", "Bang Bros", "Traumatized", "Hittaz", and "Times". Signed to the Streets would later be named the eighth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[18] On October 22, 2013, in an interview with XXL, Lil Durk said he was working on his debut album under Def Jam.[19][20] In addition, Durk was named part of the 2014 XXL Freshmen Class.[21]
On March 25, 2015, Durk announced the title of his debut studio album Remember My Name and revealed its original release date, May 12.[23] On the same day, the album's first single, "Like Me", featuring Jeremih, was released.[24] However, on April 20, 2015, Durk announced that the May 12 release date of Remember My Name was delayed; he also revealed the official album cover and announced that its release had been pushed back to June 2.[25]
On June 2, 2015, Durk's debut album, Remember My Name, was released as planned. The album peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard 200 with 28,000 equivalent album units; it sold 24,000 copies in its first week, with the remainder of its unit count attributed to streaming activity and track sales.[26] Later that year, Durk released his sixth mixtape, 300 Days, 300 Nights, on December 15, 2015.[27] The only single released in promotion for the mixtape was "My Beyoncé", which features Detroit rapper Dej Loaf. The single was released on November 20, 2015.[28] A music video for "My Beyoncé" had been released in early 2016.[29] On June 5, 2017, the single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for single-equivalent units of over 500,000 copies.[30][31]
Lil Durk released his second album, Lil Durk 2X, on July 22, 2016.[32] Previously, he released the first single for the album, "She Just Wanna", featuring Ty Dolla $ign, in May.[33] Other follow-up singles for the album include: "Money Walk", featuring Yo Gotti, and "True". The album failed to meet the same standards as his previous album, Remember My Name, peaking at number twenty-nine on the Billboard 200.[34]
Later that November, Durk released his seventh mixtape, They Forgot.[35] The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Reese, Meek Mill, Mozzy, OTF Ikey, 21 Savage, Hypno Carlito, Dej Loaf, YFN Lucci, and BJ the Chicago Kid. While the production was handled by C-Sick, ChopSquad DJ, Donis Beats, DP Beats, LeekeLeek, Kid Wonder, London on da Track, TY Made It, and Young Chop.[36] The mixtape was supported by the single "Baller".[37] On December 7, 2016, Durk's single, "Like Me", from his debut studio album, Remember My Name, was certified gold by the RIAA.[38]
Throughout 2017, Durk released several mixtapes: Love Songs for the Streets in February,[39]Supa Vultures, a collaborative mixtape with Lil Reese, in August,[40]Signed to the Streets 2.5 in October[41] and Bloodas, a collaborative mixtape with Tee Grizzley, in December.[42]
On March 29, 2018, Durk announced that his twelfth mixtape would be released the next day at midnight, and his first mixtape was to be released for digital retail, Just Cause Y'all Waited. That same time, he also confirmed that he fulfilled his contract with Def Jam Records.[43][44] The following day, Durk, a free agent, released Just Cause Y'all Waited exclusively on Apple Music and the iTunes Store.[45][46]Just Cause Y'all Waited had since been available for stream or download on other platforms.[47][48][49][50] The mixtape has since become Durk's first non-album project to peak on a Billboard chart, charting at number fifty-seven on the Billboard 200, twenty-eight on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and twenty-two on the Rap Albums chart, respectively.[51][52]
Durk's fifth album, Just Cause Y'all Waited 2, followed on May 8, 2020.[57] The album contains his second highest-charting song, "3 Headed Goat", featuring Polo G and Lil Baby. It debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.[58] A deluxe edition of the album was released on June 26, 2020, with seven additional tracks,[59] helping the album climb to a new peak of number two on the Billboard 200.
On August 5, 2020, Lil Durk was featured on single "All These Niggas", by OTF affiliate and fellow Chicago rapper King Von in support of his first studio album, Welcome to O'Block; an associated video garnered 24 million views in two months on YouTube.[60] Banks could not appear on it due to legal reasons.[61][62] The song debuted at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.[63] On August 14, 2020, Lil Durk was featured on Canadian rapper Drake's single "Laugh Now Cry Later". It debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Banks' first top 40 and top 10 entry, and his highest-charting song.[64]
On August 28, 2020, Lil Durk confirmed that a future project of his would be called "The Voice", which would eventually turn out to be the title track for his sixth studio album, The Voice, first hinting at an October 2020 release. He initially stated he would release new music on the same day as rapper 6ix9ine's second studio album, TattleTales, amid their feud. The title track was released as the lead single from the album, along with the music video on September 4, 2020.[65] He later released "Stay Down" with American singer 6lack and American rapper Young Thug as the second single, along with the video on October 30, 2020. Finally, he released "Backdoor" as the third and final single, along with the video on December 21, 2020. The album was eventually released on December 24, 2020. It is a tribute to his labelmate and late close friend, King Von, who is on the cover, and who was featured on the song, "Still Trappin'".[66] On December 17, 2021, Durk decided to try something different that benefited him in the long-run, he decided to work with country music singer Morgan Wallen to put out a hit single, "Broadway Girls". The song was a huge success, and it was unexpected friendship between the two of them still to date.[67]
Durk made a guest appearance on Kanye West's tenth studio album, Donda, on the song "Jonah", which was released on August 29, 2021. As with all other guest appearances on this album, Durk was not acknowledged directly. He was also featured on Drake's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, on the song "In the Bible", which was released on September 3, 2021. On February 22, 2022, Lil Durk released a new single, "Ahhh Ha", produced by Southside. He initially stated that his seventh studio album, 7220, was due to be released on the same day, but it was pushed back to March 11; it was released then, consisting of 17 tracks, including guest appearances from Future, Gunna, Summer Walker, and Morgan Wallen.[67]
On July 31, 2022, Durk announced that following an incident that occurred on July 30, where his head was struck by an explosive pyrotechnic, he will be suspending performing and recording to recover from his injuries. In the accident, which happened during his set at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, Durk suffered injuries to his face and right eye.[68] On November 14, 2022, Durk was featured on American rapper Roddy Ricch's single titled, ''Twin'', The song was number 1 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, and it was number 35 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the song later appeared on Feed Tha Streets III, the third commercial mixtape by Roddy Ricch.[69]
2023: Almost Healed and Nightmares in the Trenches
After appearing on the cover of XXL, Lil Durk appeared in an interview in which he teased the release of his eighth studio album, a sequel to his sixth studio album, The Voice (2020).[70] When asked about the album, he stated: "Growth. That’s what the "2.0" stand for, just be on another level. Just not only music-wise, like the things around me like I told you, growing from the friends around me, management. Sitting with the mayor. We doin’ big charity things. Neighborhood Heroes, the foundation I got."[71] However, on May 5, Durk announced that the title had been changed to Almost Healed. The album was released on May 26 and features guest appearances from Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Chief Wuk, Future, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Rob49, the late Juice Wrld, and Morgan Wallen. The lead single, "All My Life" featuring J. Cole, was released on May 12. The song debuted and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Durk his highest-charting song as a lead artist. The second single, "Pelle Coat", was released on May 25 respectively, alongside the promotional single "Therapy Session", a collaboration with Alicia Keys. The former song debuted and peaked at number 35 on the Hot 100. The album debuted and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. Durk later shared that he would be releasing a new album soon, which would have thirteen tracks after his previous couple solo albums had a few more tracks than that and ran for longer.
On August 18, 2023, Durk released a single titled, ''F*ck U Thought", which is the lead single to his deluxe edition of Almost Healed. And on November 10, 2023, he released another single titled, "Smurk Carter", which serves as the lead and only single to his fifth compilation album, Nightmares in the Trenches. On November 17, 2023, Durk released his fifth compilation album titled Nightmares in the Trenches, which is also a collaboration with artists from his label Only the Family and the project features guest appearances from OTF Boonie Moe, Rob49, THF Zoo, Cokilla, Chief Wuk, Doodie Lo, YTB Fatt, Icewear Vezzo, Deeski, and Booka600.[2] On October 27, 2023, David Guetta featured Ayra Starr and Lil Durk on a house-influenced Afrobeats song titled "Big FU".[72][73]
2024–Present: first Grammy win and Love Songs for the Streets 3 announcement
In late January 2024, Durk announced the future release of his next studio album responding to a Kanye West post, revealing the project's title as Love Songs 4 the Streets 3 that would be the sequel to both his commercial mixtape, Love Songs 4 the Streets from 2017, and his 2019 studio album Love Songs 4 the Streets 2.[74]
On February 23, 2024, Durk released the lead single for his new aforementioned project, an introspective track titled "Old Days", the song was also accompanied with an official music video that was released the same day.[75]
Only the Family is a collective formed by Lil Durk in 2010.[76] Artists such as the late King Von, the late OTF Nuski, Doodie Lo, Booka600, and OTF Boonie Moe are associated with the label.
Personal life
Durk is Muslim.[77][78][79] Additionally, he is a pescatarian.[80] Durk has 6 children.[81] Since 2020, Durk has been engaged to his longtime girlfriend India Royale.[82]
On May 31, 2014, Durk’s cousin OTF Nunu also known as Nuski was shot and killed .[83] Then, on March 27, 2015, Uchenna "OTF Chino Dolla" Agina, Durk's friend and manager, was also shot dead.[84] On November 6, 2020, Lil Durk's affiliate King Von was murdered in Atlanta.[85] On June 6, 2021, Durk's brother, Dontay "DThang" Banks Jr, was shot and killed outside of a Chicago nightclub.[86][87]
In the early hours of July 11, 2021, Durk was targeted in a home invasion, where he and his girlfriend India exchanged gunfire with the suspects. Nobody was harmed, and the suspects fled the scene.[88][89]
In July 2023, TMZ reported that Durk was hospitalized due to severe dehydration and exhaustion.[90]
Legal issues
In late 2011, Durk was arrested on a weapons charge. He was released on bond, but was later sentenced to 3 months.[91][92] On June 5, 2013, Durk was arrested after allegedly throwing a loaded .40 caliber handgun into his car when police approached him on South Green Street in Chicago. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.[93] He was held on $100,000 bond, and his lawyer would claim to have nine affidavits from witnesses who confirm Durk's innocence. One witness also admitted the gun was his.[94] Durk was released on July 18, 2013.[92]
On August 19, 2016, Durk was cleared of disregarding probation when he was arrested on felony gun charges; the judge dropped the charges.[95]
In May 2019, Lil Durk and King Von were arrested on charges relating to a non-lethal shooting that took place earlier that year on February 5. According to prosecutors, the two men robbed and shot a man outside a popular Atlanta drive-in, for a Jeep Cherokee and $30,000.[96] After weeks in jail, Durk and Von were released on $250,000 & $300,000 bonds, respectively.[97][98] In October 2022, the charges against Durk were dismissed.[99]
Controversies
Feud with Chief Keef, Lil Reese, The Game, and Tyga
Durk was involved in a rivalry between Chief Keef and Joseph "Lil JoJo" Coleman.[100] After Durk released the song "Ls Anthem", in which dissed Jojo's affiliates, The Brick Squad (not to be confused with rapper Gucci Mane's label), Jojo responded with the diss track, "BDK (300K)", calling out a vast majority of gang members, most namely Keef, Lil Reese, and Durk.[101] The feud ended after Lil Jojo was shot and killed on September 4, 2012.[102][100][103] After signing, respectively, with Universal Music's sister labels, Def Jam Recordings and Interscope Records, social and personal problems between Durk and Chief Keef's label, Glo Gang, began to develop in late 2012. After a social media exchange,[104] Durk disassociated himself from Keef's label.[105] Then, a spawn of diss songs followed, even for Durk in particular, his remix to Nicki Minaj's "Chiraq" with Meek Mill and Shy Glizzy.[106][107] There, he not only calls out Keef, but also mentions Lil Reese, The Game, Tyga, King L, and the Gangster Disciples.[108] He even calls Keef "disrespectful" for turning his back on their friendship for Tyga and The Game's own remix of "Chiraq".[109][110] In the midst of Keef's then-ongoing beef with rap group Migos, Durk shouted out the group in support to humiliate Keef.[111] However, in August 2014, Durk decided to mend his differences with him, and just squash the feud.[112][113][114]
After Durk dissed King L on his "Chiraq" remix, L would respond to both him and Keef, calling their feud a "whack movie trailer" comparison.[115] However, this ended up short-lived, as King L called his debacle with Durk, "a big mistake".[116] Durk's feud with California rappers The Game and Tyga ignited in 2014, after releasing their remix to Nicki Minaj's "Chiraq", called "Chiraq to L.A.".[117][118] This both urged Durk and The Game to respond by heated exchanges socially.[119][120][121] After Durk threatened to "holla" at Tyga, he went to sexually boast about having an affair with Game's ex-fiancée, Tiffney Cambridge.[122][123] However, this would force Game to respond with "Bigger than Me", which he targets Durk, 40 Glocc, 2014 XXL's Freshman Class, and many countless others.[124][125][126] Just eight months following, Durk squashed his feuds with Game, and a week later with Tyga.[127][128][129] In his adolescence, Durk and Famous Dex attended Paul Robeson High School, but after they both dropped out, the two seemingly lost contact.[130] After Durk became famous, Dex immediately revealed in an interview that he never saw him in his later days soon after, until they finally got a chance to meet with one another during the 2016 BET Awards.[131][132] Durk also admitted that he was still "rockin'" with Dex.[133]
Feud With YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Quando Rondo
Durk has been embroiled in a feud between Only the Family protégé King Von and Baton Rouge rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Von and Durk began to diss YoungBoy and vice versa through social media and their music, in what was initially taken as a joke. In particular, Von who made several videos mocking viral clips of YoungBoy as Von noted that YoungBoy fakes in his music: "the fuck YoungBoy talking about on this song, bruh? He's talking crazy, he ain't even like that. I'm on his a** now. You got caps in yo raps."[134] On November 6, 2020, King Von was shot and killed following an altercation with the YoungBoy Never Broke Again affiliate Quando Rondo.[135][136] In 2022, following Von's death, and YoungBoy's release from jail, YoungBoy released "Bring the Hook", the lead single from his mixtape Colors. In the track, YoungBoy sent an obvious diss toward King Von and rappers from Parkway Garden Homes, a project known as O'Block on the South Side of Chicago as he rapped: "Nigga, this that Squid Game, O-Block pack get rolled up / Murder what they told us, Atlanta boy get fold up".[137][138] The song's release reignited issues between YoungBoy and Durk which lead to the release of "Ahhh Ha", the lead single from Durk's 7220. The song featured several subliminal disses from Durk to YoungBoy.[139][140] In the track, Durk took several shots against YoungBoy's ex-girlfriend Jania Meshell, suggesting she had relations with the late King Von.[141] On the same day, YoungBoy released "I Hate YoungBoy" which appeared on his fourth studio album The Last Slimeto. In the song, YoungBoy had taken shots at Durk's fiancé India Royale, Gucci Mane, Lil Baby, Boosie Badazz, Durk's late cousin OTF Nunu, and Durk himself.[142][143][144] He also dissed Apple Music for promoting the Chicago native Lil Durk.[145] On May 4, 2023, media personality and DJ Akademiks stated that YoungBoy and Durk had reconciled,[146] but on May 8, YoungBoy dissed both Durk and Akademiks on Twitter. On the same day, he announced a new mixtape titled Richest Opp and its release date of May 12, 2023, the intended release date as Durk's album Almost Healed.[147]
