Lil Durk is a Grammy-nominated Chicago rapper and a pioneer of the drill music movement, known for hits like “All My Life” with J. Cole and for founding the Only the Family (OTF) collective. As of September 9, 2026, he is also the subject of a closely watched federal murder-for-hire trial, with the jury now in deliberations. Here’s everything on his career, family, and the ongoing case.
Lil Durk Quick Info Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Durk Devontay Banks |
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1992 |
| Age | 33 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Profession | Rapper, Singer, Record Label Founder (Only the Family) |
| Known For | Pioneer of Chicago drill; “All My Life” (with J. Cole), Almost Healed, Deep Thoughts |
| Net Worth | Estimated $8 Million |
| Wife | India Royale (married 2024) |
| Children | 7, including daughter Willow with India Royale |
| @lildurk |
Lil Durk Bio & Career
- Born Durk Devontay Banks on October 19, 1992, in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood; his father was incarcerated when Durk was seven months old.
- Built his early buzz on YouTube and MySpace with mixtapes like Life Ain’t No Joke (2012) and Signed to the Streets (2013), emerging as one of the founding voices of Chicago drill alongside Chief Keef.
- Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 2012 and released his debut studio album, Remember My Name, in June 2015, which peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200.
- Founded Only the Family (OTF), the record label and collective built around loyalty to his Chicago circle, which became a defining force in drill music and launched artists including the late King Von.
- Released a string of commercially successful albums including The Voice, 7220, and Almost Healed (2023), the latter reckoning with grief following the 2020 murder of close friend and OTF artist King Von and the 2021 murder of his own brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks Jr.
- Scored his biggest hit with “All My Life,” his 2023 collaboration with J. Cole, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Released his ninth studio album, Deep Thoughts, on March 28, 2025, featuring Future, Lil Baby, Hunxho, and Jhené Aiko — recorded and released amid his ongoing legal case.
Family & Personal Life
Lil Durk has been with India Royale, a makeup artist, fashion blogger, and entrepreneur, since 2017. He proposed onstage during a hometown Chicago concert in December 2021, and the couple married in 2024. Together they share daughter Willow Banks, born in October 2018; Durk is also father to seven children in total across his family, and considers India’s older daughter, Skylar, his own. Following the 2021 murder of his brother DThang, Durk has helped raise DThang’s two children as well.
The Federal Murder-for-Hire Trial
Since October 2024, Lil Durk has been in federal custody facing charges including conspiracy, stalking, and murder-for-hire in connection with a 2022 shooting linked to a feud with fellow rapper Quando Rondo, whose cousin was killed. Durk has pleaded not guilty, and five associates from his OTF label were also charged in the case. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
The trial began August 20, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Prosecutors presented testimony from Durk’s former assistant, Kavon “Vonnie” Grant, along with digital material extracted from Durk’s iCloud account, including texts, photos, and videos. The judge allowed prosecutors to introduce some of Durk’s song lyrics as evidence. The defense rested its case in early September, and closing arguments concluded on September 8, 2026.
As of September 9, 2026, the jury has begun deliberations, and no verdict has been reached. Durk has received public support from artists including Drake, Ye, 21 Savage, and Lil Baby, who have reportedly contributed toward his legal defense costs.
FAQs
His legal name is Durk Devontay Banks.
Yes. He faces federal charges including murder-for-hire conspiracy, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His trial began August 20, 2026, and as of September 9, 2026, the jury is deliberating with no verdict yet reached.
His estimated net worth is around $8 million, built through album sales, touring, and his Only the Family label.
Yes, he married longtime partner India Royale in 2024, after proposing to her in December 2021.
He has seven children, including daughter Willow with India Royale, and also helped raise his late brother DThang’s two children.
OTF is the Chicago-based record label and collective Lil Durk founded, built around loyalty to his inner circle. It became a major force in drill music and launched the career of the late King Von.
