Lil Durk: The Life, Career, And Controversies Of A Rising Rap Star

How Much Is Lil Durk Worth Right Now?

Let me tell you about Lil Durk. This guy's worth about $8 million as of today. Born Durk D. Banks, he's a Chicago native who blew up in the early 2010s with his raw, street-inspired rap style. Tracks like "Life Ain't No Joke" and "Signed to the Streets" made him a household name in the drill music scene. His ability to blend hard-hitting lyrics with a melodic flow set him apart, making him a leading figure alongside other legends like Chief Keef.

Fast forward to 2014, and Durk inked a deal with Def Jam. That's when his debut album, "Remember My Name," came out in 2015. But it wasn't until he started his own label, Own The Light Nation (OTF), and partnered with Alamo Records that his career really took off. Albums like "Just Cause Y'all Waited 2" in 2020 and "7220" in 2022 skyrocketed him to mainstream success. Oh, and let's not forget "Almost Healed" in 2023, which included the Grammy-winning track "All My Life" featuring J. Cole. In 2024, he dropped "Deep Thoughts," continuing his upward trajectory. However, his career hasn't been without its bumps in the road, including a recent arrest for alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire plot.

Where Did It All Begin?

Early Days in Englewood

Lil Durk's journey began in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on October 19, 1992. His real name is Durk D. Banks, and his upbringing was far from easy. His father, Dontay Banks Sr., was sent to prison when Durk was just seven months old. Growing up, Durk faced challenges, including times when food was scarce at home. Despite these hardships, he found solace in music, using platforms like MySpace and YouTube to showcase his talent.

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At just 17 years old, Durk became a father and dropped out of Paul Robeson High School to join the Black Disciples street gang. This decision led him down a path of trouble with the law, including multiple gun charges. Eventually, he pleaded guilty to aggravated unauthorized use of a weapon, marking the beginning of a series of legal battles that would follow him throughout his career.

The Rise of a Rap Icon

From Mixtapes to Mainstream

Lil Durk's first mixtape dropped in 2011, but shortly after, he found himself behind bars on weapons charges. Once released, he quickly got back to work, releasing "I'm Still a Hitta" in 2012. His track "Sneak Dissin'" started to gain traction, and he began collaborating with other artists like Lil Reese, Fredo Santana, King Louie, and Chief Keef.

2013 was a big year for Durk. He released "Signed to the Streets," a mixtape that earned him wider recognition. It even landed on "Rolling Stone's" list of the best mixtapes of the year. Despite another stint in jail early that year, he signed with Def Jam Records and released his debut studio album, "Remember My Name," in 2015. The album hit #2 on the US Rap and US R&B/Hip-Hop charts and #14 on the "Billboard" 200 chart.

His second album, "Lil Durk 2x," came out in 2016 and climbed to #4 on the US Rap chart. The single "My Beyonce" featuring Dej Loaf reached #21 on the US Rap chart. Over the years, he's worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Meek Mill, French Montana, Travis Scott, will.i.am, Young Thug, Boosie Badazz, and RiFF RaFF.

In 2020, Durk hit the "Billboard" Hot 100 with "Viral Moment" from his album "Just Cause Ya'll Waited 2." Collaborations with Polo G and Lil Baby on "3 Headed Goat" and tracks like "Backdoor" and "The Voice" further solidified his success. His joint album with Lil Baby, "The Voice of the Heroes," topped the "Billboard" 200 charts in 2021. Lil Durk also appeared on Kanye West's "Donda" in August 2021. His 2022 album, "7220," became his second consecutive #1 album. With four Grammy nominations under his belt, Durk earned a win for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "All My Life" featuring J. Cole from "Almost Healed" in 2023.

Behind the Scenes: Lil Durk's Personal Life

Family and Faith

On a personal note, Lil Durk is a practicing Muslim. His father, Dontay Banks Sr., served two life sentences without parole, though the details remain a mystery. Durk is a father to six children, each from a different mother. His kids are named Angelo, Bella, Zayden, Du'mier, Skylar, and Willow. In 2021, he became engaged to Instagram model India Royale, adding another chapter to his personal life.

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Heartbreak and Hardships

Tragedy Strikes

Life hasn't been all smooth sailing for Lil Durk. In May 2014, his cousin and fellow rapper McArthur "OTF Nunu" Swindle was tragically murdered. A year later, in March 2015, his friend and manager, Uchenna OTF Chino Dolla Agina, was also shot dead. Then, in November 2020, his close friend King Von was murdered in Atlanta. The pain continued when his brother, Dontay "DThang" Banks Jr., was killed at a Chicago nightclub in June 2021. To top it off, Durk became the victim of a home invasion in July 2021. Thankfully, no one was hurt after he and his fiancée exchanged gunfire with the intruders, who fled the scene.

Trouble with the Law

A History of Legal Issues

Legal troubles have been a recurring theme in Lil Durk's life. After his initial weapon charge in 2011, he was sent back to serve an additional 87 days on bond. In June 2013, he was arrested again in Chicago for allegedly throwing a loaded handgun into his car when approached by police. Despite his lawyer presenting witness affidavits confirming Durk's innocence, he was held on a $100,000 bond. He was eventually released in July 2013.

In September 2015, a shootout occurred just hours before a scheduled concert in Philadelphia. One man was killed, and Lil Durk's tour bus was damaged by gunfire. However, Durk wasn't involved and wasn't arrested or questioned by the authorities. In August 2016, he faced felony gun charges but was later cleared by the judge. In June 2019, he and King Von were arrested on attempted murder charges for allegedly robbing and shooting a man over a Jeep Cherokee and $30,000. After spending a few weeks in jail, they were released on bonds of $250,000 and $300,000. The charges were dismissed in October 2022.

2024: The Murder-For-Hire Arrest

On October 24, 2024, Lil Durk was arrested by U.S. marshals near the Miami-Dade airport. According to an indictment revealed the following day, federal agents claim that Durk hired a team of five men to travel to Los Angeles to murder a rival rapper named Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman. The motive? Durk allegedly believed Bowman was connected to the person who killed his close friend King Von in 2020. The indictment states that in August 2022, Durk and his associates learned Bowman was staying at a Los Angeles hotel. At Durk's direction, five men flew from Chicago to Los Angeles while Durk himself arrived on a private jet from Miami. An associate allegedly used Durk's credit card to book a hotel, rent a car, and purchase weapons for the hitmen. They tracked Bowman across Los Angeles until he pulled into a gas station, where they allegedly opened fire on his Cadillac Escalade. Tragically, they accidentally killed Bowman's cousin instead. Bowman himself escaped unharmed. Federal agents arrested the gunmen on October 24, 2024, after learning that Durk had booked one-way flights to Dubai and Switzerland and was listed as a passenger on a private jet bound for Italy.