Beginning his career, from 2011 to 2012, Durk released his debut, un-official mixtape, I’m a Hitta which was released on August 26, 2011. On April 3, 2012, Durk released his sophomore mixtape, a sequel to his previous tape, I’m Still a Hitta. Durka later released his third mixtape on November 5, 2012, titled Life Ain’t No Joke
Like many drill artists, Durk’s early career was plagued with legal issues and accusations of violence. These issues eventually led to his shows being canceled.
From 2013 to 2015 Durk released a total of four projects, three mixtapes, and an album. October 10, 2013, marked the release of the first Signed to the Streets, one of Durk’s most notable mixtapes and the start of a series. In the summer of 2014, specifically July 4, Durk released a sequel to Signed to the Streets and released Signed to the Streets 2 featuring his “What You Do to Me”.
2015 would be an enormous year for Lil Durk as in July 2015, Durk released his debut studio album, Remember My Name which featured his Jeremih-assisted “Like Me.” Later that year, Durk released his sixth mixtape 300 Days 300 Nights which included his then-girlfriend, Dej Loaf-assisted, “My Beyoncé.”
From 2016 to 2017, Durk released a total of four solo projects and one collaborative project. On July 22, 2016, Durk released his sophomore studio album, Lil Durk 2X accompanied by features such as Future, Young Thug, Yo Gotti and more. Ending the year, Durk released They Forgot, his seventh mixtape.
Beginning 2017, in February, Durk released his seventh mixtape, Love Songs for the Streets, which is deemed as one of his most notable projects including features from Moneybagg Yo and YFN Lucci. Later that year in August, Durk released a collaborative EP with Lil Reese titled Supa Vultures; the project included his “Nobody Knows”. On October 19, 2017, Durk carried on with his Signed to the Streets series with the highly anticipated Signed to the Streets 2.5. The mixtape included the start of yet another song series titled “India” dedicated to his fiancé India Cox otherwise known as India Royale.
In 2018, Durk released two projects, he began with Just Cause Y'all Waited, Durk’s highest-charting mixtape peaking at #57 on the Billboard 200. Durk then released a sequel to Love Songs for the Streets titled Love Songs 4 the Streets 2. Durk was extremely successful prior to this album, however, many say that this exact album broke Durk into the mainstream rap industry as it had been his first project to chart in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.
2020 was an even better year for Lil Durk as he released his almost chart-topping Just Cause Y’all Waited 2 which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. It was later followed up with a deluxe.
The scars of violence run deep in Durk’s discography, particularly arising from the loss of OTF members Nunu (Nuski) and King Von at the hands of gunfire. Both artists are commemorated on his album The Voice, for which a deluxe version was released in 2021.
Anointing himself as the voice of the streets, Durk followed up this project with the release of the collaborative album The Voice of the Heroes with Lil Baby which brought the Chicago native artist his first #1 album.
Marking his first solo #1 album, in March 2022, Lil Durk released a melodramatic take on the deaths of his loved ones through an album titled 7220. The album became Durk’s first solo project to top the charts.
Don't Take It Personal
Lil Durk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had nobody but me and my boys (my boys)
You niggas frauds ya′ll ain't making noise
(Noise noise)
But I ain′t take it personal
(Personal let's get it)
And I told you I was down to ride
Now where you was when I was fightin' all them homicides
But you wasn′t with me in that war
But I don't take nothin′ personal
I'm in that field where it get real
With plastic ass niggas playin′ with the steel
Pussy change for a little change
Try to hang where I hang and then you got banged
I done see the shit happen boy
I ain't playin′ my young boys they be clappin' boy
OJ Auntie Rose
Mikey Ikey Chief Wuk and Cali
I tell them niggas go free Mikey boy
These niggas they be bitches they be psych'ing boy
Fuck who don′t like me boy
I′m a bull in this shit
Where you was at when I was in that war?
I had nobody but me and my boys (my boys)
You niggas frauds ya'll ain′t making noise
(Noise noise)
But I ain't take it personal
(Let′s get it)
And now I told you I was down to ride (ride)
Now where you was when I was fightin' all them homicides
(I don′t know)
But you wasn't with me in that war
But I don't take nothin′ personal
My first bank a case I had to calm down
Caught a sack and went, lost J Money F- around
I gotta do another round
I lost my guy that′s when I went and made a 100 round
Now watch my niggas go bananas
My homie got head shout out to Montana
Chop 'em down like Montana
I′m on the block I'm serving white, that Montana
They told me I won′t be shit
They ask for hooks and features on some free shit
I'm on some Steve shit
Free Steve bitch
RIP Steve shit (let′s get it)
Where you was at when I was in that war?
I had nobody but me and my boys (my boys)
You niggas frauds ya'll ain't making noise
(Noise noise)
But I ain′t take it personal
(Yeah let′s get it)
And I told you I was down to ride
Now where you was when I was fightin' all them homicides
(Homicide)
But you wasn′t with me in that war
But I don't take nothin′ personal
And I told you I was warning you
I was on D town I was on normal too
(On normal too)
Abnormal
Niggas pussy sitching on me informin'
(Let′s get it)
And I ain't with the bullshit
I got a deal and I still be on that bullshit
I'm a warn your ass another time
Call my nigga numba 9
Nuski got the strap still
Make your family go and make a will
Police niggas go and make a deal
OTF I′m in this shit for real
Where you was at when I was in that war?
I had nobody but me and my boys (with my boys)
You niggas frauds ya′ll ain't making noise
(Noise noise)
But I ain′t take it personal
(Let's get it)
And I told you I was down to ride
Now where you was when I was fightin′ all them homicides
(Homicide)
But you wasn't with me in that war
But I don′t take nothin' personal
In Lil Durk's song "Don't Take It Personal," he reflects on his past experiences and the people who were not there for him during his toughest moments. In the first verse, Durk questions where his so-called friends were when he was "in that war" and "fightin' all them homicides." He had nobody to rely on but himself and his loyal friends, and he recognizes that those who weren't there for him were "frauds" who weren't making any noise.
The second verse sees Durk delving into the differences between himself and the people around him. He is surrounded by people who are "playin' with the steel" and changing for the worse, while he remains true to himself and his values. He reminisces about his fallen friend J Money and how he had to "do another round" after his death. Durk recognizes that people didn't believe he would succeed, but he persevered and made it to the top despite the doubters.
Throughout the song, Lil Durk reiterates that he doesn't take things personally, even when others let him down. He knows who he can trust and who he cannot, and he remains true to who he is despite the obstacles he has faced.
Line by Line Meaning
Where you was at when I was in that war?
When I needed you the most, where were you? I was fighting a battle all by myself.
I had nobody but me and my boys (my boys)
I only had my close friends with me, no one else had my back.
You niggas frauds ya'll ain′t making noise (noise noise)
You're fake and not really making any meaningful contributions.
But I ain′t take it personal (personal let's get it)
I'm not holding a grudge, let's move on.
And I told you I was down to ride
I already let you know that I'm ready to face any challenge with you.
Now where you was when I was fightin' all them homicides (homicide) (let′s get it)
When I was dealing with serious situations, you were nowhere to be found.
But you wasn′t with me in that war
You were absent when I needed you the most.
But I don't take nothin′ personal
I'm not holding grudges and I won't take it to heart.
I'm in that field where it get real
I'm in a dangerous and challenging situation.
With plastic ass niggas playin′ with the steel
Fake people are acting like they're tough, but they're not.
Pussy change for a little change
Some people are willing to compromise their dignity for material gain.
Try to hang where I hang and then you got banged
If you try to join my group without real commitment, you'll be in trouble.
I done see the shit happen boy
I've witnessed negative situations unfold.
I ain't playin′ my young boys they be clappin' boy
I am not joking when it comes to my loyal friends who are willing to handle business.
These niggas they be bitches they be psych'ing boy
These people are weak and trying to act tough.
Fuck who don′t like me boy
I don't care about people who don't like me.
I′m a bull in this shit
I am strong-willed and determined to succeed.
My first bank a case I had to calm down
I had to take a step back and reassess my situation when I got into trouble.
Caught a sack and went, lost J Money F- around
I made some mistakes and lost people along the way.
I gotta do another round
I have to keep going and fighting.
I lost my guy that′s when I went and made a 100 round
I went on a revenge spree after losing someone close to me.
Now watch my niggas go bananas
My friends are about to go crazy.
My homie got head shout out to Montana
My friend got some oral sex and I am giving a shout out to the location where it happened.
Chop 'em down like Montana
We will defeat our enemies ruthlessly.
I′m on the block I'm serving white, that Montana
I'm selling drugs and making money on the streets.
They told me I won′t be shit
People have doubted my success and ability to rise above my struggles.
They ask for hooks and features on some free shit
People try to take advantage of my music career by asking for free performances.
I'm on some Steve shit
I'm doing things like my friend Steve did before he passed away.
Free Steve bitch
I want to see my friend Steve be set free from his limitations and challenges.
RIP Steve shit (let′s get it)
Let's honor the memory of Steve and keep his spirit alive.
And I told you I was warning you
I explicitly gave you a warning.
I was on D town I was on normal too (on normal too)
I was in certain neighborhoods and had different identities depending on where I was.
Abnormal
I am not like most people, I am different and unique.
Niggas pussy sitching on me informin' (let′s get it)
People are unfairly telling on me and betraying my trust.
And I ain't with the bullshit
I won't tolerate nonsense or frivolous behavior.
I'm a warn your ass another time
I will give you another warning before taking action.
Call my nigga numba 9
I will call my friend who is dangerous and has a weapon.
Nuski got the strap still
I have access to weapons and will defend myself if necessary.
Make your family go and make a will
If you mess with me or my friends, you will put your family in danger.
Police niggas go and make a deal
Informants who work with the police are betraying their community and values.
OTF I'm in this shit for real
I'm part of the gang and committed to it for real.
Writer(s): Durk D Banks, Javorian Grimes
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.