Jay-Z and J. Cole, have submitted formal letters of support to a federal judge on behalf of rapper Lil Durk as he seeks pretrial release. The letters were sent to U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald ahead of a high-stakes bond hearing scheduled for early next month.
Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, is currently fighting for his freedom while awaiting a second trial on racketeering charges. Although the Chicago-born artist was recently acquitted of all charges in a high-profile murder-for-hire trial last month, he remains in federal custody.
His legal team is now leveraging the support of music industry titans to convince the court that he is not a flight risk. In his letter to the court, Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, praised Banks for his professional discipline and his commitment to his community. Carter said he found the rapper to be kind and respectful when they met several years ago, noting that Banks used his success to provide opportunities for others.
“Durk was signing young artists from his community to recording contracts and giving them a real path into a legitimate industry,” Carter wrote. He added that Banks understood the limited options available in high-risk neighborhoods and worked to help others find a way out rather than leaving them behind. J. Cole also provided a personal testimonial, focusing on the collaborative process behind their Grammy-winning 2023 hit “All My Life.” The North Carolina rapper said the song’s message of peace and personal growth was a testament to Banks’ maturity.
Cole said the artist fought for the positive direction of the track even when it went against the instincts of more veteran collaborators. Defense attorneys Brian Steel and Drew Findling have proposed an aggressive bond package to secure the rapper’s release.
The proposal includes collateral consisting of all of Banks’ future royalties, touring income, and rights to his name, image, and likeness. The attorneys said this ensures that if he were to violate bond, he and his family would be left “penniless.” Banks was originally arrested in late 2024 in connection with a 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles gas station.
While a jury found him not guilty of the murder-for-hire plot involving rival rapper Quando Rondo, he still faces a count under the federal Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR) statute.
The prosecution, which has previously labeled Banks a flight risk, continues to oppose his release. A bond review hearing is currently set for Nov. 4, while the racketeering trial is scheduled to begin in August of next year.
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