Durk Derrick Banks, born on October 19, 1992, is an accomplished American rapper recognized by his professional moniker, Lil Durk. He stands as a prominent figure and originator of the collective and record label, Only the Family (OTF).
Lil Durk’s journey to prominence commenced with the unveiling of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series from 2013 to 2014, a period that culminated in a record contract with Def Jam Recordings. This partnership facilitated the release of his debut studio albums, namely Remember My Name in 2015 and Lil Durk 2X in 2016, until their parting of ways in 2018.
After independently launching his Just Cause Y’all Waited mixtape in March 2018, Lil Durk solidified a collaboration with Alamo Records in July. Notably, his presence on the Billboard Hot 100 as the lead artist surfaced in April 2020 through the single “Viral Moment,” extracted from his fifth studio album, Just Cause Y’all Waited 2, in 2020. The resurgence of Lil Durk’s commercial success continued to flourish, evidenced by well-received singles including “3 Headed Goat” featuring Polo G and Lil Baby, “Backdoor,” and “The Voice.”
Noteworthy collaborations encompassed his features on Drake’s 2020 single, “Laugh Now Cry Later,” and Pooh Shiesty’s track, “Back in Blood,” as well as the release of albums such as The Voice in 2020 and a collaborative endeavor with Lil Baby, titled The Voice of the Heroes, in 2021. Notably, the latter release secured Lil Durk’s inaugural debut atop the prestigious Billboard 200 chart.
The trajectory of accomplishment persisted with his seventh album, 7220, in 2022, achieving a consecutive chart-topping status. Furthermore, his eighth album, Almost Healed, released in 2023, harbored his most successful charting single, “All My Life” featuring J. Cole, ascending to the remarkable position of number 2 on the illustrious Hot 100 chart.
Durk Derrick Banks originally hails from the Englewood neighborhood situated on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, where he was born. Growing up in a challenging environment, Banks shouldered considerable responsibility within his household due to his father’s early incarceration when he was merely seven months old. His recollections resonate with instances of scarcity and inadequate sustenance during his formative years.
As he progressively established his presence across digital platforms like Myspace and YouTube, a passion for rap music took root, catalyzed by the expansion of his online fan base.
Banks redirected his focus onto his burgeoning music career, particularly after embracing fatherhood at the age of 25 and making the decision to depart from his educational pursuits at Paul Robeson High School.
His association with the Black Disciples, a Chicago street gang, followed this transition. Inevitably, his affiliations led him into legal troubles, culminating in a period of incarceration in October 2011 due to firearm-related charges, including the possession of a weapon with an altered serial number. Eventually, he pled guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated unauthorized weapon usage, with no subsequent jail time, as indicated by official court records.
