Jay-Z and J. Cole Urge Judge to Release Lil Durk on Bail After Murder-for-Hire Acquittal
Categoria: Musica
Two of rap's biggest names are supporting Durk, who was found not guilty of taking out a hit but remains in jail on an additional racketeering charge.
Por Billboard | 27/10/2026
Lil Durk is getting support from two of rap’s biggest names as he fights to get out of jail following his acquittal on murder-for-hire charges. Jay-Z and J. Cole both submitted letters to a federal judge on Tuesday (Oct. 27), obtained by Billboard , supporting Durk’s motion for bail. The Chicago rapper (Durk Banks) was found not guilty last month of taking out a hit on rival rapper Quando Rondo , but he remains in custody while awaiting a second racketeering trial . Related Lil Durk’s 2nd Racketeering Trial Set for 2027 After Murder-for-Hire Acquittal Kenny MacPherson, Veteran Music Publisher and Big Deal Music Co-Founder, Dies at 71 Diddy Moved From New Jersey Prison to Similar Facility in Pennsylvania In his letter, Jay-Z says he found Durk to be “kind, respectful and focused on his career” when they met several years earlier. “What stood out most to me was how he used his success,” writes Jay-Z. “Durk was signing young artists from his community to recording contracts and giving them a real path into a legitimate industry. Many of us come from neighborhoods where the options are limited and the risks are high. Durk understood that, and he worked to help others find a way out of those conditions rather than leaving them behind.” “Release would allow [Durk] to support his family and continue the work in his community that I saw firsthand,” adds Jay-Z. J. Cole’s letter focuses on his collaboration with Durk on the hit 2023 track “All My Life,” which earned a Grammy for best melodic rap performance and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. J. Cole notes that “All My Life” has a message of peace and growth, which Durk advocated for despite the elder rapper’s initial reluctance. “It speaks to the vision of Durk to mature and realize the impact his art could have, and then to be willing to fight for the chance to make that impact a positive one, even if it meant going against the instincts of an artist he respects and looks up to,” writes J. Cole. Durk was denied bail earlier in the case after being deemed a flight risk . Durk’s attorneys say his acquittal has changed these circumstances, and they’re willing to put up collateral that includes all his future royalties, touring income and name, image and likeness rights. “Mr. Banks offers to the court a bond package that includes his future earnings, ensuring that that should he violate his bond, he and his family would remain penniless going forward,” write defense lawyers. Brian Steel and Drew Findling . “Mr. Banks, who following the time period surrounding these charges radically transformed his life, should be released on a bond.” A hearing to review Durk’s bond is set for Nov. 4. A rep for the prosecution, which opposes Durk’s release, declined to comment on the motion Tuesday. Durk was acquitted of murder-for-hire in September following a two-week trial, in which prosecutors accused him of putting a bounty on Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his close friend and collabo