Lashawnda Woodard, the mother of embattled Chicago rapper Lil Durk, recently opened up about her son’s well-being and a surprising change to his appearance as he remains in federal custody.
During an appearance on the “Victim or Villain” podcast, Woodard confirmed that the Grammy-winning artist has cut off his signature blond-tipped dreadlocks while awaiting trial on federal murder-for-hire charges. The rapper, born Durk Banks, has been detained since October 2024. Prosecutors allege he was the mastermind behind a plot targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo, an incident that resulted in the 2022 death of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson in Los Angeles.
Despite the severity of the legal battle and the potential for life in prison, Woodard said her son is maintaining a positive outlook during their phone conversations. “Every time I talk to him, it’s never serious,” Woodard said, noting that the rapper is “doing pretty good” under the circumstances. She confirmed the rumors regarding his haircut, simply stating “he did” when asked if the locks were gone.
The change marks a significant departure for the 32-year-old artist, as his hairstyle had become a staple of his public image during his rise to the top of the hip-hop industry. Woodard described the emotional toll of her son’s arrest, comparing the experience to the grief she felt following the death of her other son, Dontay “DThang” Banks Jr., who was killed in 2021. She recalled the frantic moments leading up to the news of Durk’s arrest in Florida, explaining that she knew something was wrong when he stopped answering her phone calls.
It took several days before the rapper was able to call her and explain the situation himself. “It’s like I lost another child,” Woodard said on the podcast. “It hurts. I couldn’t believe it.” She emphasized that the rapper remains dedicated to his children and his hometown of Chicago, even as he fights the federal indictment.
Durk has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and various firearm offenses. The legal proceedings involve five other associates linked to the Only The Family (OTF) collective, who were also charged in connection with the Los Angeles shooting.
Defense attorneys have recently moved to keep certain song lyrics and music videos from being used as evidence during the trial, arguing that the creative expressions do not constitute proof of criminal intent. As the case moves forward, Woodard said she continues to rely on her faith and the brief moments of levity shared during their calls.
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