In April, Durk’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss the charges. They argued that prosecutors wrongly used his lyrics as evidence, specifically pointing to a verse on Babyface Ray’s song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy.” According to the defense, Durk recorded the verse seven months before the shooting took place. His team said, “Durk has always used music to tell stories, to express pain to heal, and yet those same lyrics are now being used against him. We refuse to stay silent as Black artists continue to be criminalized for their creativity. Rap is art.”

Prosecutors aren’t buying it. U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli responded this week, saying the indictment has nothing to do with rap lyrics. “He is not on trial for his lyrics or his music; he is on trial because he directed, orchestrated, and financed the brazen murder plot at issue in this case,” Essayli wrote. He also mentioned that witnesses and their families have already faced threats, adding that there’s no solid reason to dismiss the indictment or unseal the grand jury transcripts.

Despite the legal battle, Durk has kept himself busy. He released a new album in March titled Deep Thoughts and recently told DJ Akademiks he’s been learning Arabic while in custody. “Mentally, spiritually, I’ve been on top of my s**t,” Durk said. “I’m just getting my knowledge together.”

On May 14, his attorney Christy O’Connor submitted a formal request for reconsideration, asking a district judge to review a prior bond denial and reevaluate whether the rapper must remain behind bars while awaiting trial.

The latest petition challenges the May 8 decision by Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue, who denied bond for a second time. O’Connor is now seeking a hearing before a district judge, who holds broader authority and could overturn the ruling.

Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, has been held in federal custody since October 2024. He’s accused of orchestrating and financing a targeted ambush in Savannah, Georgia, that resulted in the death of Lul Pab, cousin of rapper Quando Rondo.

Federal prosecutors allege the August 2022 shooting was a calculated act of retaliation for the 2020 murder of King Von, Durk’s close friend and collaborator. The government claims Durk bankrolled the operation and remained actively involved in its planning.

Durk’s legal team has proposed a third bond package to secure his release, valued at more than $2 million. It includes $900,000 in real estate, $1 million in liquid assets from Alamo Records, and $150,000 from a private associate. The offer also includes 24-hour private security, GPS monitoring, and full court oversight to assure his compliance with release terms.

Despite these assurances, Judge Donahue previously cited significant concerns. She pointed to Durk’s alleged influence in violent circles and his decision to leave the country after authorities arrested his co-defendants. Prosecutors argue that his freedom poses a continued threat to public safety and undermines the integrity of the investigation.

Durk has entered a plea of not guilty. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty. His attorneys argue that the government’s case relies on circumstantial evidence and lacks definitive proof linking him to the killing. They claim Durk has deep community ties and a proven ability to comply with court orders.

This latest motion reflects a growing urgency in his defense strategy. His legal team hopes that a district judge, with full authority to reweigh the evidence and circumstances, will take a broader view and grant bond. The court has not yet scheduled a new hearing.

Durk’s detention has sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community. As one of rap’s most commercially successful and culturally significant figures, his case raises deeper questions about the criminal justice system’s treatment of artists with troubled pasts and complicated affiliations.

Whether he will be released before trial remains uncertain, but the outcome could reshape not only his career—but the public’s understanding of power, violence, and redemption in hip-hop.

Durk’s legal team pushed for either a dismissal of the case or at least a bond release, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence relied on weak sources, specifically fan-made internet posts and Durk’s own lyrics. They insisted this was insufficient to justify his pretrial detention. Still, the judge sided with prosecutors, ruling that Durk must stay in jail as the case proceeds.

One development that works in the rapper’s favor is that the prosecution has reportedly removed his lyrics from their case. Instead, they’ll rely on other alleged pieces of evidence to support their accusations. Authorities claim Lil Durk orchestrated a 2022 attack on fellow rapper Quando Rondo in Los Angeles, allegedly as retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von, a close friend and collaborator of Durk. That shooting resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin, Lul Pab. Prosecutors argue that Durk arranged, funded, and facilitated the hit, claims that he and his legal team strongly deny.

Although Durk hasn’t halted his career completely, these charges are a major setback. His legal team continues to criticize not only how the case is being handled but also the broader trend of using hip-hop culture as courtroom evidence. With the trial set to begin on October 14th, there’s still a long road ahead. Whether Durk will get another shot at bond remains unclear, but for now, the outlook is bleak.

Over the weekend, Durk’s relatives issued a public statement on Instagram, saying the government “presented false evidence to a grand jury,” leading to his indictment in a murder-for-hire case. “This is not justice,” they wrote. “That’s a violation of the very system that’s supposed to protect all of us.” The family continued, “We refuse to stay silent as Black artists continue to be criminalized for their creativity. Rap is art.” They also urged fans and members of the culture to stand with Durk: “As a family, we are asking the public, the fans, and the culture to stand with us. Stand for truth. Stand for fairness. Stand for The Voice.”

Lil Durk’s team slams indictment over old lyrics, fan edits, and alleged misconduct

The Chicago rapper’s legal team is pushing back on claims that connect him to an alleged assault referenced in Babyface Ray’s “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy,” arguing the track was written months before the incident. In court filings, Durk’s lawyers accused the government of mishandling key evidence, saying, “The government’s misrepresentation in the Superseding Indictment, whether knowing or reckless, undermines the integrity of the grand jury’s true bill against Mr. Banks.” They’re asking the court to throw out the indictment entirely.

Durk’s defense also blasted prosecutors for allegedly using fan-made, edited videos from social media to link him to rival rapper Quando Rondo—claims they say are “misleading” and “flat-out wrong.”

Lil Durk’s trial is expected to begin later this year.

“I’ve been good, man. Mentally, spiritually, I’m on top of my sh*t,” Durk told Akademiks during the conversation. “I’ll be back out there, you hear me? Thank you—I need all the prayers. I appreciate you.”

His voice carried steady conviction. “Ain’t nothing changed, bro. I’ve just been focused on life, my family. I’m trying to learn Arabic in here. A couple guys know it fluently, so I’ve been picking up words, just tightening up my Arabic. Just building knowledge.”

The conversation offered a rare glimpse into Durk’s mindset as he faces serious federal allegations. Charged with orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot, Durk—known to fans as Smurk—is set to stand trial beginning October 14.

However, that date may not be the only significant development ahead. There’s growing speculation that he could be granted bail before the trial begins.

Durk’s legal team has challenged key pieces of evidence submitted by federal prosecutors, calling into question the integrity of the case. Recent reports reveal that alleged footage linking Quando Rondo and Lul Pab to the plot was actually fan-created and deceptively edited. The falsehood has prompted the court to reevaluate Durk’s bond status, offering a possible path to temporary release.

Despite the looming charges, Durk’s tone during the call reflected someone not defeated, but centered. He spoke like a man turning inward, using time behind bars not just for survival, but self-work. As prosecutors scramble to salvage credibility, and the trial nears, Durk’s calm focus—and the errors in the government’s case—may become pivotal.

Whether he walks free before October or faces the full force of a federal trial, Lil Durk remains a figure whose influence extends far beyond his cellblock.

“As a human, you sitting in there looking at four walls. You’ve been told to stand up for count. You’ve been told these things, something that you ain’t normally used to. It’s gonna have this effect on you but you know you always bounce back, you always look at the greater picture,” Banks shared.

He continued, “As a Muslim, we look and say to ourselves, ‘What Allah is doing for us right now, building us to be a better man, is greater than what they trying to do to us and trying to tear us down.’”

Durk, whose full name is Durk Derrick Banks, is currently accused of orchestrating a hit on Quando Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 death of his close friend and collaborator King Von. The plan allegedly led to the 2022 fatal shooting of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, also known as Lil Pab.

His father revealed that Durk’s presence is making an impact in jail, particularly within the Islam community. “[Durk] was telling me that when he came in there was like four Muslims on the block. He said now it’s 17 Muslims on the block, so he in there converting.”

Durk has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys are calling for the charges to be dismissed. They claim the indictment was based on false narratives taken from fan-made YouTube content. The trial, which was originally set for earlier this year, is now scheduled to begin on October 14th.

Durk’s legal team says prosecutors pointed to the lyrics of “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy,” a song by Babyface Ray featuring Durk, as proof of involvement. However, the defense argues that Durk wrote the song long before the shooting happened. In a recent court filing, his lawyers argued that prosecutors either knowingly or recklessly presented inaccurate details. “The government’s misrepresentation in the Superseding Indictment… undermines the integrity of the grand jury’s true bill against Mr. Banks,” they wrote.

In a separate motion, Durk’s attorneys asked the judge to reconsider his release from jail. They argue that prosecutors are using fan-made content against him, including a video on social media that combined Quando Rondo’s voice with Durk’s lyrics. Durk has no connection to the people who created or shared that footage. His team slammed the evidence as misleading and argued that prosecutors are unfairly linking the rapper to content he didn’t create or approve.

Durk has been in jail since October and was previously denied bail. His team offered a package worth around $3 million. But the court sided with prosecutors. They cited a pattern of “criminal behavior” and claimed Durk broke jail rules by making unauthorized phone calls.

The trial is scheduled for October 14, 2025. Prosecutors are still reviewing massive amounts of evidence, including digital files, witness statements, and surveillance videos. Durk has denied the accusations. He maintains his innocence. He insists there is no solid proof connecting him to the shooting that killed Quando Rondo’s cousin, Lul Pab.

While the interview covers much more than just his music, one detail stood out to fans: Wayne’s apparent detachment from events around him, including major ones in the rap world.

During the profile, Gee waited backstage at the College Football Playoff National Championship, where Wayne was scheduled to perform. When the rapper finally arrived, Gee noticed two “Free Lil Durk” shirts in the dressing room.

Curious, he asked if Lil Wayne knew Durk was currently incarcerated. The New Orleans legend responded that he didn’t. Whether he genuinely didn’t know or had just found out, the moment left fans puzzled.

Lil Durk is currently in jail, facing charges linked to a suspected murder-for-hire plot. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated an attack on Quando Rondo, which ultimately claimed the life of one of Rondo’s associates.

It’s a serious case with far-reaching implications, and Wayne’s unfamiliarity with it sparked questions about how plugged-in he is to the culture he helped shape.

Despite Durk often citing Wayne as an influence, the two have never officially collaborated. That makes the shirts even more curious. Perhaps Wayne was simply showing solidarity. Or maybe the shirts were placed there without much thought. Either way, his casual response didn’t clarify much.

This wasn’t the only moment that underscored Wayne’s aloofness. Later in the interview, Gee mentioned Watch the Throne, the 2011 album by Jay-Z and Kanye West. Wayne seemed unfamiliar with the project until he recognized a few tracks.

That moment was especially ironic. Jay allegedly fired subliminal shots at Cash Money on that album, prompting a rumored response from Wayne—one he now seems to barely recall.

Still, Wayne holds no public grudge against Jay-Z. Even after this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, where Jay’s influence over the artist selection raised eyebrows, Wayne appeared unbothered. The same likely applies to Lil Durk. Despite the disconnect, there’s no indication of animosity.

These brief lapses reveal something deeper about Lil Wayne. He’s long existed in a world of his own, often detached from headlines and drama that don’t directly involve him. While his mind remains focused on his craft, the cultural waves around him sometimes go unnoticed.

As Tha Carter VI approaches, Wayne’s legacy continues to evolve—eccentric, unpredictable, and entirely on his own terms.

The announcement of them being married has sparked mixed reactions. Some fans see it as a sweet moment, while others speculate it’s connected to his ongoing legal battle. Durk, who was arrested in November 2023, is accused of paying individuals to target Quando Rondo following the 2020 murder of King Von. The case stems from a 2022 shooting in Los Angeles, where Quando Rondo survived, but his cousin, Lul Pab, was killed. Durk has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set to begin in October.

Despite his legal troubles, Durk is keeping the music coming. His new album, Deep Thoughts, is set to drop on March 28th. It features previously released tracks like “Turn Up A Notch” and “Late Checkout” with Hunxho.

Meanwhile, he appears to be staying positive while in jail. During a recent phone call with Kanye West, he shared, “I’m feeling good, just taking it a day at a time… just chilling and staying focused for real.” Fellow rapper 900 Bruh Bruh also gave fans an update, saying Durk is in good spirits, focused on his family, and determined to fight his case.

With new music on the way and a major trial ahead, all eyes remain on Lil Durk as he navigates this turbulent chapter in his life.

In a video posted to his Instagram Stories on Monday, March 17th, Ross questioned why no one shouted out Durk during their sets. “How many n***as screamed ‘free Durk’ at that Rolling Loud? How many?” he asked his followers. He then switched gears, advising young Black men to consider trades like plumbing or construction before circling back to his main point. “How many people said ‘free Lil Durk’ at Rolling Loud? Exactly.”

Lil Durk has been behind bars since October after being arrested on murder-for-hire charges connected to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, the cousin of Quando Rondo. The Chicago rapper was denied bail due to reported misconduct while in jail, including alleged misuse of the phone system despite clear restrictions.

Authorities accuse Durk of financing Lul Pab’s murder as retaliation for the 2020 death of his close friend and collaborator, King Von, who was killed in an altercation with Quando Rondo’s crew. Prosecutors claim that flights and rental cars for the five suspects involved in the shooting were paid for using a credit card linked to Durk’s OTF label.

Durk is facing the possibility of life in prison, with the death penalty still on the table. His trial, initially scheduled earlier, was postponed to October due to the case’s complexities, including reports that one of the defendants may be negotiating a plea deal.