Lil Durk trial: Judge allows music as evidence in murder-for-hire case

Chicago rapper Lil Durk faces a federal murder-for-hire trial in Los Angeles, with prosecutors preparing to call 35 witnesses. During a pretrial hearing, U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald ruled that the government may introduce Durk’s 2021 single “Pissed Me Off” and its accompanying music video as evidence.

Prosecutors argue the song serves as a “call to arms” and helps establish a motive for retaliation following the 2020 death of Durk’s associate, King Von. They contend the lyrics support a theory that Durk financed a plot targeting Quando Rondo, which resulted in an August 2022 shooting in Los Angeles.

Defense attorneys have contested the use of the music, arguing that it could unfairly prejudice jurors by causing them to interpret artistic expression as a literal confession. They noted the song addresses various traumatic events in Durk’s life, including the death of his brother. Durk has pleaded not guilty to the charges.