Nov 8, 2024,02:05pm EST
Chicago rapper Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, has been indicted on two new felony charges in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo, as announced by a California federal court on Friday. If convicted, Lil Durk could face life in prison.
Key Details
Lil Durk, 32, was indicted on charges of conspiracy and using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death. This comes two weeks after his initial arrest and charge of conspiracy to use interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. He remains in federal custody in Miami following his October 24 arrest.
The rapper has been named the lead defendant in an indictment that also charges five co-defendants, alleged to have ties to Lil Durk’s rap collective, Only The Family. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
An affidavit filed by FBI agent Sarah Corcoran states that Lil Durk allegedly placed a bounty on Quando Rondo’s life, citing unnamed witnesses. Flight tickets linked to the murder-for-hire plot were reportedly purchased using credit cards associated with Lil Durk and Only The Family.
The indictment notes that the alleged plot was in retaliation for the 2020 murder of King Von, a close friend and collaborator of Lil Durk. King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Daquan Bennett, was killed in an altercation involving Quando Rondo’s group.
Attempted Escape and Legal Proceedings
According to the U.S. District Attorney’s office, Lil Durk attempted to flee the country before his arrest, booking flights to Italy, Switzerland, and Dubai. However, he did not board any of these flights. He is expected to be arraigned in Los Angeles federal court in the coming weeks.
Background and Related Developments
The 2020 death of King Von outside an Atlanta hookah lounge was a catalyst for ongoing tensions between Lil Durk’s circle and Quando Rondo’s crew. The altercation that led to King Von’s death escalated from a verbal argument to gunfire, resulting in six people being shot and two fatalities. Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks, an associate of Quando Rondo, was charged with Von’s murder.
Who Is Lil Durk?
Lil Durk is a prominent Chicago rapper who formed the Only The Family (OTF) collective in 2010, through which he has released six albums. King Von was a member of OTF prior to his death. Lil Durk rose to fame in the 2010s after signing with Def Jam Records and releasing notable albums such as “Remember My Name” in 2015 and “Lil Durk 2X” in 2016. He later signed with Alamo Records and achieved significant success, earning his first Grammy nominations in 2021 for “Laugh Now Cry Later,” a collaboration with Drake. In 2022, he topped the Billboard 200 with his album “7220,” and in 2023, released his biggest hit “All My Life,” featuring J. Cole, which won a Grammy.
Quando Rondo’s Response
In response to the violence, Quando Rondo released a song titled “Life Goes On,” where he references the loss of his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, who was killed during the alleged murder attempt. He expressed his grief and called for peace in a statement on Instagram, saying, “We didn’t get into this music industry to stay caught up in this street sh*t.”
Lil Durk’s Philanthropic Efforts Under Scrutiny
Lil Durk’s recent financial contributions, including a $150,000 donation to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign, have come under scrutiny following his arrest. The Chicago Tribune’s editorial board urged the mayor to return the donation to avoid negative associations. Additionally, the city of Broadview rescinded an honorary key to the city awarded to Lil Durk for his contributions to local youth programs.
Upcoming Album Release
Despite his legal troubles, Lil Durk had been actively promoting his new album, “Deep Thoughts,” scheduled for release on November 22. He released several new singles in October, including “Late Checkout,” just two weeks before his arrest.
Conclusion
This high-profile case continues to unfold as Lil Durk and his co-defendants prepare for their court appearances. The implications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, impacting the broader music community and highlighting the complex interplay between fame, violence, and justice.