Durk Derrick Banks (born October 19, 1992), better known as Lil Durk, is a … Read Full Bio ↴Durk Derrick Banks (born October 19, 1992), better known as Lil Durk, is a rapper, singer, and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. Durk is best known for his involvement in the drill wave that took the music world by storm in the 2010s. He is the founder of his own record label and rap collective, Only the Family (OTF).

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.

How I Know
Lil Durk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(W-W-W-William)

How I know if you die for me?
Know if you shoot for me?
How I know if you still love me? Yeah, yeah
How I know you won't steal from me?
Know you won't kill for me?
I know that you still love me, yeah, yeah

How I know you won't turn on me?
Feel like the love phony, gotta keep my gun on me, yeah, yeah
How I know you won't die for me?
Know you will ride for me, just don't ever lie to me, yeah, yeah

Thought I'd never see the day that you would switch up
Ain't no hard feelings, I'm wishin' you good luck
I can't lie, I miss your touch, you got that good love
I put diamonds on your hand, don't hold your fist up
How I know if I get jammed you gon' keep it real?
How you gon' say that I ain't solid? I ain't never squealed
If I die today, give it to my son, ain't writin' no will
All these thoughts inside my head, it got me poppin' pills
Runnin' with my steel, there's some niggas in the rear
If they get they chance they will
But I ain't worried, I'm gon' kill
I'm gon' drill every one of them
We gon' kill every one of them

How I know if you die for me?
Know if you shoot for me?
How I know if you still love me? Yeah, yeah
How I know you won't steal from me?
Know you won't kill for me?
I know that you still love me, yeah, yeah
How I know you won't turn on me?
Feel like the love phony, gotta keep my gun on me, yeah, yeah
How I know you won't die for me?
Know you will ride for me, just don't ever lie to me, yeah, yeah

One time to cross out Migo, he gon' take your life
So I don't understand how Plies ran off on the plug twice
And you can't remix none of that lean if it's not cut right
And you can't say you super trill 'cause you ain't cut right
Sex her once then kick her out 'cause I don't nut twice
The way that A$AP died don't sit in my gut right
And if we ever find the killer then he must die
And I'm always low on niggas, I don't trust high
I don't know if you gon' ride, don't know if you gon' slide
Don't know want me to die, I don't know if it's your pride
And if it is then hide it then
Me and Lil' Baby do it for the trenches, we gon' ride with them (for sure, for sure)

How I know if you die for me?
Know if you shoot for me?
How I know if you still love me? Yeah, yeah
How I know you won't steal from me?
Know you won't kill from me?
I know that you still love me, yeah, yeah
How I know you won't turn on me?
Feel like the love phony, gotta keep my gun on me, yeah, yeah

How I know you won't die for me?
Know you will ride for me, just don't ever lie to me, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

In Lil Durk's song "How I Know," he expresses his uncertainty and anxiety about the loyalty of his associates. He starts by asking how he can be sure that they would be there for him when things get tough. Durk mentions how he doesn't know if they would put their lives on the line for him, but he also acknowledges his own need to keep his guard up as he questions whether they will betray him.

Durk seems to be reflecting on a past experience where someone he thought he could trust has betrayed him. He expresses mixed emotions, acknowledging his own feelings of longing for companionship, while at the same time being cautious about getting too close to the people around him.

As the verse progresses, Durk delves deeper into his own insecurities, questioning his own reputation and wondering if there is anyone he can trust. He raps about the importance of remaining vigilant and protecting oneself in a world where trust is hard to come by.

Overall, "How I Know" is a reflection on the difficulties of navigating complex relationships in a world where people are often motivated by their own self-interests. It's a poignant reminder that even the tiniest mistake can have disastrous consequences, and that it's up to each person to stay vigilant and protect themselves from potential betrayals.

Line by Line Meaning

How I know if you die for me?
I wonder if you would sacrifice your life for me

Know if you shoot for me?
Do you have my back and would you fight for me?

How I know if you still love me? Yeah, yeah
I'm not sure if your love for me is genuine or not

How I know you won't steal from me?
I fear that you might take what's mine behind my back

Know you won't kill for me?
I hope that I can count on you to not resort to violence on my behalf

I know that you still love me, yeah, yeah
Despite my doubts, I still believe that your love for me is true

How I know you won't turn on me?
I'm afraid you might betray me and switch sides

Feel like the love phony, gotta keep my gun on me, yeah, yeah
I have reason to doubt the sincerity of your love, so I feel the need to protect myself with a weapon

How I know you won't die for me?
I wonder if you would lay down your life for me in a time of need

Know you will ride for me, just don't ever lie to me, yeah, yeah
I trust that you have my back, but I need you to always be truthful with me

Thought I'd never see the day that you would switch up
I never imagined that you would turn your back on me

Ain't no hard feelings, I'm wishing you good luck
I am not holding a grudge, and I hope that you have success in the future

I can't lie, I miss your touch, you got that good love
I have to admit that I miss our intimate connection, you have a special gift in that regard

I put diamonds on your hand, don't hold your fist up
I gave you valuable gifts, so I hope that you won't use violence against me

How I know if I get jammed you gon' keep it real?
If there is trouble and I am caught, I need to know if you will stay truthful and loyal to me

How you gon' say that I ain't solid, I ain't never squealed
If you accuse me of being disloyal or a snitch, know that those accusations are false

If I die today give it to my son, ain't writin' no will
If I pass away suddenly, I want my son to receive my possessions without the need for a formal will

All these thoughts inside my head, it got me poppin' pills
My mental state is causing me distress, so I am taking medication to cope

Runnin' with my steel, there's some niggas in the rear
I am carrying my weapon because there are potential threats behind me

But I ain't worried, I'm gon' kill
I am not afraid, and I will resort to violence if necessary

One time to cross out Migo, he gon' take your life
If you cross a certain individual, you are putting your life in danger

So I don't understand how Plies ran off on the plug twice
I am confused why a particular person betrayed their connections twice

And you can't remix none of that lean if it's not cut right
It is impossible to modify a certain type of drug if it is not pure enough

And you can't say you super trill 'cause you ain't cut right
You cannot claim to be a true gangster if you are not authentic

Sex her once then kick her out 'cause I don't nut twice
I only need to have sex with a woman once, so I do not engage in repeated sexual encounters

The way that A$AP died don't sit in my gut right
I am disturbed by the circumstances surrounding the death of another rapper

And if we ever find the killer then he must die
If we discover who caused the death of the aforementioned rapper, they deserve to be punished severely

And I'm always low on niggas, I don't trust high
I do not have many close associates because I am cautious and selective of who I trust

I don't know if you'll ride, I don't know if you gon' slide
I am unsure if you will have my back in a dangerous situation

I don't know want me to die, I don't know if it's your pride
I am not sure if you want to see harm come to me out of arrogance or hubris

And if it is then hide it then
If you have ill intentions towards me, keep them hidden

Me and Lil Baby do it for the trenches, we gon' ride with them
I am committed to my community and will fight for my people alongside Lil Baby

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dominique Jones, Durk D. Banks, Willie Jerome Byrd

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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