Drake takes a moment to say, “Free Tory Lanez” and “Free Lil Durk” at the beginning of his DRIZZMAS livestream. Tory Lanez and Lil Durk face serious legal situations, with Lanez battling a shooting case and Durk battling two murder-for-hire cases. Drizzy acknowledged his collaborators with Adin Ross as they toast to the incarcerated with shots of tequila. Drake and Lil Durk collaborated on the 2020 hit “Laugh Now Cry Later.” Drake and Lanez were former rivals before squashing the beef in 2017.
Drake’s shout-out follows Tory Lanez’s releasing a track, “Handling Business,” earlier this month that goes at Kendrick Lamar. On the track, Lanez raps, “I have been praying and waiting for the day that people confront me the way he did, Drizzy.” Drizzy’s support for Lanez caused a beef with Megan Thee Stallion that she addressed on “HISS.”
In his latest livestream, Drake had a super fun contest with tons of awesome prizes, like trips to see him perform in Australia, cash, cars, and even dream vacations, plus a signed photo. He kicked things off by reading the personal stories of the winners before announcing who won what. After that, he gave the winners a call to let them know about their prizes. There was a funny moment when Drake felt he looked like MMA legend Conor McGregor while watching a replay of the stream. When asked about his favorite UFC fighter, he made it clear he’s a huge fan of McGregor. On top of all that, Drake also teased his new cologne that’s coming soon.
Brought to you by Stake, this exciting livestream showcases Drake’s highly anticipated Australian tour! Kicking off in February, the Anita Win Max Tour promises unforgettable performances, and tickets are available now. Drake fondly recalls how his first trip to Australia opened his eyes to the vastness of the world. In November, he first announced this tour as a special guest on xQc’s livestream, generating tremendous buzz. In other news, Adin Ross is set to come back to streaming next week after taking a break from Kick over the summer.
Tony Yayo weighed in on Lil Durk’s legal troubles during an interview with VladTV. Durk received his second federal murder-for-hire charge last week. The accusations claim Durk was involved in a plot connected to the death of his brother, DThang. Acknowledging the gravity of the allegations, Yayo described them as deeply troubling while emphasizing that a charge does not equate to guilt. Vlad echoed this sentiment, urging caution against jumping to conclusions.
Yayo expressed empathy for Durk’s situation, underscoring the daunting challenge of fighting federal charges, especially given their notoriously high conviction rates. Drawing from his own experience with the justice system, the G-Unit veteran reflected on the harsh realities of incarceration. He described the immense pressure such circumstances place on individuals but offered a message of resilience, wishing Durk strength and a fair resolution to his case.
Tony Yayo Promotes “Free Durk” While Breaking Down Lil Durk’s 2 Murder-For-Hire Charges With DJ Vlad
While 20 years ago, Tony Yayo had a highly-publicized case during the meteoric rise of 50 Cent. Yayo was on the run for the entire promotional campaign of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ before being arrested and sentenced in 2003. Eminem wrote a letter to the judge on Yayo’s behalf to reduce his incarceration term. In Durk’s case, Tony Yayo reminds Vlad of the importance of withholding judgment until all facts are revealed. The rapper’s words carried a tone of support, reflecting the shared struggles many artists face in balancing fame and the challenges of life under the spotlight.
The interview also touched on a notable legal connection. Both Lil Durk and NBA YoungBoy, another artist entangled in legal battles, are represented by attorney Drew Findling. YoungBoy recently received a reduced 24-month sentence, a development that could hint at a strategic advantage for Durk’s defense. Yayo pointed to this as a glimmer of hope, suggesting Findling’s expertise might help Durk navigate his legal ordeal. Durk trial is set for January. Over the weekend, the rapper made headlines following Trap Lore Ross releasing a documentary alleging the rapper is responsible for six deaths.
U.K. YouTuber Trap Lore Ross is best known for his hip-hop-related crime documentaries highlighting Lil Durk and other rap stars such as King Von, YNW Melly, and Young Thug. On December 23, Ross released a four-hour documentary titled The Many Murders of Lil Durk. The video delves into allegations surrounding the Grammy-winning rap star and his tumultuous relationships with his hometown of Chicago. The YouTuber opened the documentary with a disclaimer, asserting that all the content was sourced from public information, including rumors, lyrics, legal documents, and personal opinions.
Lil Durk is currently in federal detainment, facing a RICO case. The rapper would be denied bond with a trial set for January 7. In the documentary, Durk is alleged to have ties to six murders: FBG Duck, FBG Cash, Lul Pab, Jaski, Oil, and Stephon Mack. Ross also explored the killing of Durk’s brother, DThang, who was fatally shot in June 2021. The deaths of Jaski, Oil, and Mack were characterized as deeply personal to Durk, while FBG Duck’s killing was portrayed as more calculated and professional. Durk faces charges of conspiracy, murder-for-hire, and using firearms in a violent crime. Durk reportedly remains in good spirits while detained.
Trap Lore Ross Claims Lil Durk Responsible For Many Murders In New Doc
The video concluded with a sobering message: “With all the self-incrimination Durk has done in 2023, it’s only a matter of time before people piece things together.” Before the latest documentary, Durk was frequently mentioned in other Chicago-related documentaries by Trap Lore Ross. The YouTuber’s investigations resulted in confrontations with Chicago rappers, asking him to stop documenting the city’s rap stars.
Before his arrest, Durk was set to release his forthcoming album, Deep Thoughts. The rap star’s current legal drama is allegedly in connection to the death of OTF artist King Von in 2020. Von was shot during an altercation with rival Quando Rondo and his entourage outside of an Atlanta nightclub. King Von would succumb to his gunshot wound at the hospital.
Lil Durk has reportedly broken several regulations while incarcerated at a California jail as he awaits trial for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme.
According to a report by Law & Crime published on Tuesday (December 17), court documents reveal new details about why the Chicago rapper was denied bond. Prosecutors argued that Durk’s behavior demonstrates a “pattern of criminal activity and interference,” including violating Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) rules in Los Angeles.
One notable allegation is that Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, repeatedly made three-way calls, despite explicit instructions against such actions. “Despite clear instructions to not engage in three-way calls, defendant repeatedly abused the phone system at MDC to engage in such conduct,” the prosecution wrote in a recently published brief. At a hearing on December 12, the judge sided with the prosecution and denied Durk’s bond request.
The legal troubles don’t stop there. Prosecutors have also linked the rapper to the 2022 murder of Stephon Mack, alleged leader of the Smashville faction of the Gangster Disciples in Chicago. While this case is separate from the current murder-for-hire charges, the allegations suggest a pattern of retaliatory violence tied to Durk.
According to newly unsealed court documents, Mack’s death was supposedly retribution for the 2021 murder of Durk’s brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks, who was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Harvey, Illinois. Prosecutors allege that Durk actively sought revenge. “Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” a federal agent stated in the April 2023 filing, which was unsealed on December 11.
While Durk has not been charged in Mack’s murder, the investigation remains ongoing. Two other men, Anthony Montgomery-Wilson and Preston Powell, were charged earlier this year with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire in connection to Mack’s death. Investigators reportedly uncovered text messages on Montgomery-Wilson’s phone discussing a payment allegedly tied to Durk. One message asked: “Did Durk gave (sic) u that money.”
Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire trial is scheduled to begin on January 7.
Lil Durk, currently facing murder-for-hire charges tied to the killing of Quando Rondo’s cousin Saviay’a Robinson, has received support from an unexpected source—his longtime engineer, Justin Gibson. Known professionally as Jusvibes, Gibson has raised questions about a key piece of evidence presented by prosecutors, potentially undermining their case against the Chicago rapper.
Gibson, who has worked with Durk since 2021 and describes himself as the rapper’s “main sound engineer,” filed an affidavit on Sunday, December 15, to challenge the claim that Durk used Robinson’s murder as lyrical inspiration. To support his statement, Gibson submitted screenshots and metadata tied to the song in question.
Prosecutors allege that Durk referenced Robinson’s death on his collaboration with Babyface Ray, “Wonderful Wayne and Jackie Boy.” They highlighted the lyrics: “Look on the news and see your son/ You screamin’, ‘No, no’,” which they claim mirrors Quando Rondo’s real-life reaction to seeing Robinson’s body shortly after his murder.
However, Gibson’s affidavit asserts that this interpretation is impossible. He states that Durk wrote and recorded his verse for the song during a studio session on January 25, 2022, nearly seven months before Robinson was killed. To corroborate his account, Gibson provided screenshots showing a rough draft of the song—then titled “2 Toxic”—saved on the same date. This documentation, Gibson claims, proves that Durk’s lyrics were not inspired by Robinson’s death.
While Gibson’s testimony casts doubt on this element of the prosecution’s case, Durk faces additional allegations linking him to other violent crimes. Recently unsealed court documents suggest the rapper was involved in the January 2022 murder of Stephon Mack, an alleged leader of the Smashville faction of the Gangster Disciples. Authorities believe Mack’s death was a retaliatory act tied to the 2021 murder of Durk’s brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks, who was killed outside a nightclub in Harvey, Illinois. Federal agents allege that Durk has actively offered financial incentives for the murder of individuals connected to DThang’s killing.
“Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” a federal agent wrote in an April 2023 filing, which was unsealed on December 11.
Gibson’s affidavit introduces new challenges for the prosecution, particularly in their argument surrounding the lyrics in “Wonderful Wayne and Jackie Boy.” However, with other charges involving Mack’s murder and alleged gang activity still in play, Lil Durk’s legal troubles are far from over. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether Gibson’s testimony will significantly impact Durk’s defense or if the mounting allegations will prove insurmountable.
Quando Rondo is no stranger to legal troubles. He’s had several encounters with the police over the course of his career. The incident that allegedly took place on December 17 was unique, however. The rapper hopped on Instagram Stories to claim that local police tried to shake him down. Quando Rondo said that police officers tried to damage the jewelry that was on his person. To make matters even more surprising, the rapper claimed that they were trying to steal his jewelry.
“Police hate so bad,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “They broke my jewelry up and tryna steal my watch.” The photo that accompanied the IG Story was of a chain laying on Quando Rondo’s lap. The rapper did not provide additional context for the alleged encounter. It has not been a good holiday for Rondo in general. He will be serving a 33 month sentence in prison. He was found guilty of conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana. The case dragged on for over a year, and Rondo was facing a five year sentence at one point. He ultimately struck a plea deal with the Department of Justice in August.
Quando Rondo has also been on the other side of legal matters as of late. The rapper was identified as the target in a murder-for-hire scheme that allegedly took place in 2022. Lil Durk has been accused of flying several men out to California to perform a hit on Rondo. The rapper survived the shooting, but his cousin, Lul Pab, did not. Lil Durk and the aforementioned men will stand trial in January 2025. Rondo did not address Durk directly. He did address the situation, however, via social media.
Quando Rondo took a mature approach to the incident, and lamented the fact that rappers struggle to escape violent ends. “We didn’t get into this industry just to stay trapped in this street life,,” the rapper wrote on Instagram. “We have families and communities counting on us. It’s time to leave all that behind. We’ve lost too much already.” Lil Durk, meanwhile, has plead not guilty to the murder-for-hire charges. The rapper’s lawyer claimed there was “no real evidence” to link him to the 2022 shooting.
An engineer to the rescue? Justin Gibson, stage name jusvibes, is a close collaborator of Lil Durk’s. He’s been working with him since 2021, and he possibly has some crushing and crucial information that could derail the prosecutors’ case against the Chicago rapper. As you most you may know, The Voice is currently facing two murder-for-hire cases. The first of them involves the act of slaying Quando Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, back in August 2022. The second one has to do with an alleged Chicago gang leader, Stephon Mack.
He’s allegedly the head honcho of the Smashville faction of the Gangster Disciples. In recent unsealed documents, they claim that Lil Durk assisted in the funding of Mack’s murder back January 2022. But in this article, we are going to be focusing on the case that started it all for the veteran drill MC. According to HipHopDX, Mr. Gibson (jusvibes) sent in an affidavit to the court over the weekend on Sunday, December 15.
Lil Durk’s Collaborator Attempts To Help His Friend Out
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 7: Rapper Lil Durk performs during 2024 Dreamville Music Festival at Dorothea Dix Park on April 7, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic)
In his paperwork, he attempted to poke some major holes in the prosecutors’ evidence that they have against him. That is that the goverment believes that Durk was trying to make money off lyrics he wrote and included on the song “Wonderful Wayne and Jackie Boy.” On the track, there is some audio that says, “Look on the news and see your son/ You screamin’, ‘No, no‘.” Prosecutors claim that this was taken after the death of Quando Rondo’s late cousin.
However, Gibson is refuting that evidence and saying that particular audio was taken well before that tragic event. He claims he was with Durk in the studio when he was recording his verse on January 25, 2022. Additionally, there were some attached screenshots of a rough draft of “Wonderful Wayne and Jackie Boy” that originally called “2 Toxic.” Those images were also from that aforementioned date. It will be interesting to see how prosecutors move forward with this now on the table thanks to Gibson.
Lil Durk continues to face bad news in his federal case for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy, which now has two cases to deal with. The first concerns the shooting of Lul Pab in what was allegedly a targeted attack on Quando Rondo in Los Angeles in retaliation for King Von’s murder. The second – and most recently revealed one – concerns the 2022 murder of Stephon Mack, which police believe was in retaliation for the murder of Durk’s brother Dontay “DThang” Banks. However, this last case is not something that the Chicago rapper received an official charge for yet, and the case remains open.
Now, alleged legal filings reportedly obtained by AllHipHop provide more details as to the prosecution’s claims against Lil Durk. Authorities accused him of offering payments to eliminate witnesses and individuals tied to this open 2022 case, including a witness’ family member. In this case, 24-year-old Gangster Disciples member Stephon Mack was fatally shot in Chicago in January of 2022. Smurk’s legal team hasn’t responded to these new allegations at press time, but they denied any and all wrongdoing at the onset of this case.
May 2, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago rapper Lil Durk attends a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images
“Lil Durk’s modus operandi is clear,” prosecutors claimed in court documents. “He will use his power, his money, and his influence […] to endanger anyone who he perceives as a threat, including witnesses in this case.” In addition, they also alleged that these bounties came into effect via intermediaries despite Durk’s incarceration and public scrutiny. Apparently, these revelations in these newly obtained court filings contributed to a federal judge’s denial of bond for The Voice, but it’s unclear whether the defendant will continue in his efforts to secure bail.
Meanwhile, though, some other updates in Lil Durk’s life are much more heartening, which probably balances out some of his stronger challenges. Primarily, we’re talking about how he reportedly secretly married his longtime partner India Royale, who continues to show him a lot of support amid this legal drama. Hopefully they can one day enjoy their partnership outside of the repercussions of all these situations. After all, it seems like there are even more challenges on the way in the courtroom.
Lil Durk is facing a difficult uphill battle behind bars, as he awaits trial for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy. But he apparently went through another massive life update as of late that, in the long run, is likely much more important to him. Moreover, according to DJ Akademiks, the Chicago rapper married his longtime girlfriend India Royale in secret, which we presume happened quite a while ago. The media personality made the revelation while going through some court documents related to Durk’s case, particularly a line that painted him as a “devoted husband” around the 15:15-minute mark of the Twitter video below.
Of course, India Royale made her support for Lil Durk during this difficult time very clear, whether it was in person or via social media. For example, she recently shared a picture of all of his children together, as she was supporting one of their football games and made it a family occasion. In addition, Royale also attended one of Smurk’s court hearings, so that solidarity is not exclusive to just Internet engagement. We’ll see how this relationship continues to evolve, if she speaks on their marriage, and whether or not they face any more bumps in the road.
Lil Durk Reportedly Married India Royale In Secret
Dj akademiks breaking down the bail package for lil durk submitted and how Sony records is helping pay a portion of it . Ak also reveals that durk married his girl India Royale pic.twitter.com/atz21CWAz0
As for Lil Durk’s federal case in particular, India Royale’s support means much more now given the court’s recent denial of his bond package. The offer as a whole reportedly comprised of an approximate value of $3.3 million. “We were obviously disappointed, but will continue to fight on,” his lawyer Jonathan Brayman stated to The Chicago Tribune concerning this bail denial. “[He] remains confident and optimistic about the future. He deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support he has felt since his arrest.”
There are many other narratives and angles to consider, such as the use of lyrics in court or Lil Durk’s philanthropic efforts as of late. It’s a federal case, so obviously all these elements became much more complicated and salacious. But as far as his bond with India Royale, this may be a tough time for celebrations, but we’re happy to hear that they took this step in their relationship. Especially now, that union is special.
Lil Durk’s legal trouble is worsening. According to the Chicago Tribune, newly unsealed court documents highlight new accusations in connection to the 2022 murder of a gang leader on the city’s Far South Side.
The new details were revealed in a bond hearing for the rapper, which was ultimately denied.
“We were obviously disappointed, but will continue to fight on,” Durk’s attorney Jonathan Brayman said. “Mr. Banks remains confident and optimistic about the future. He deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support he has felt since his arrest.”
Durk, born Durk Devontay Banks, was originally arrested for murder-for-hire, which was designed to kill Quando Rondo instead of wounding one of his relatives. The new documents state Durk was the orchestrator of the murder of 24-year-old Stephon Mack outside of the Youth Peace Center. Mack was reportedly the leader of the Smashville Gangster Disciples.
The shooting is believed to be in retaliation for the murder of Durk’s brother, Dontay Banks, which a member of the same faction carried out. “Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” an agent wrote.
Durk is not yet charged with the murder.
This development came after Lil Durk’s attorneys stated that they believed the Feds had nothing against the Chicago star.
Speaking with TMZ, Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg of The Findling Law Firm, P.C., Jonathan Bryaman, and Christy O’Conner state: “When you see an artist’s rap lyrics quoted as ‘evidence’ against them, it is a glaring indication that there is no real evidence against that person.”
Federal authorities highlight the lyrics of “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy,” where Durk rapped “Told me they got an addy (gooo) / Got location (gooo) Green light (go, go, go, go, go) / Look on the news and see your son, You screamin’, ‘No, no’ (p***y!!!)”
In addition to their statement, his legal team states that the accusations are false and “lacking in the most basic due diligence. The real truth is that Durk Banks is a Grammy Award-winning artist, a dedicated father, and a loving husband.”
“Mr. Banks has been intensely committed to giving back to the Chicago community he loves through his Neighborhood Heroes Foundation and has put on more than a dozen charitable events over the last few years.
“He is looking forward to fighting against these false allegations in court.”
Last month, Durk entered a not-guilty plea in his federal murder-for-hire case during an appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom. The Chicago artist, extradited from Miami ,where he was apprehended three weeks ago, will remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
According to HipHopDX, Durk, whose legal name is Durk Derrick Banks, was initially detained in Florida while allegedly attempting to flee the country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has since filed two additional charges: use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and using and possessing firearms, including a machine gun, in furtherance of a violent crime resulting in death.
A detention hearing is scheduled for December 12 to determine if Durk will be granted a bond.
The Lil Durk case is yet another troubling example of the criminal justice system intersecting hip-hop in the most violent of ways. But Durk isn’t alone on an island with these serious charges. Let’s break down the five other men allegedly involved in rapper Lil Durk’s suspected murder-for-hire plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo, who are now facing federal charges alongside the famed Chicago rapper.
Durk Banks, better known as Lil Durk, was arrested on October 24 in Miami. Prosecutors allege that the 28-year-old Chicago rapper placed a hit on Rondo in response to the 2020 death of fellow musician and close friend, King Von. Serious charges.
Now, according to authorities, five of Lil Durk’s associates allegedly assisted in an August 19, 2022, shooting intended for Rondo that instead resulted in the death of Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson.
The five men, all linked to Lil Durk’s Only The Family (OTF) collective, were arrested in Chicago on October 24 under a federal grand jury indictment containing four counts related to the murder-for-hire plot.
The indicted individuals are:
Kavon London Grant, 28, a.k.a. “Cuz” and “Vonnie,” of Chicago Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33, a.k.a. “DeDe,” of Chicago Keith Jones, 33, a.k.a. “Flacka,” of Gary, Indiana David Brian Lindsey, 33, a.k.a. “Browneyez,” of Addison, Illinois Asa Houston, 36, a.k.a. “Boogie,” of Chicago
Get this: Jones is additionally charged with possession of a machine gun.
All defendants made their initial court appearances in the Northern District of Illinois on October 24. According to an October 25 news release from the Central District of California, they are expected to be arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
What’s more, if convicted, Lil Durk and the other five men each face potential life sentences.
As we said, these are serious charges.
As of Nov. 4, Grant, Wilson, and Lindsey were held at Winnebago County Jail in Illinois, awaiting extradition to Los Angeles. Houston and Jones remain in federal custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. Lil Durk continues to be held in federal custody in Miami.
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