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.

On Em
Lil Durk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Ayo Bleu)
Oh-ah
Oh (Turn me up, Josh)

Let's find a better time to T up, fuck that money up, can't re-up
You rich, she broke, then get a prenup, got her body done in the DR
She think she crazy with them E cups, I'm the type to bring back Fila
Have a foursome with some strippers, if I like 'em, turn to divas

You're bigger than before, I can never go back poor
I can never go back to trappin' the quarter ounces in the snow
I remember in my city gettin' low-balled for a show
Now I'm the voice, I need two-hundred, I'll take one-fifty plus the dope
Take my chain, then you trippin', I got money, now I'm different
Nuski be there December fifteenth, that's why I really hate Christmas
Told his mama that I got him, and she know I'ma stand on business
Nominated for three Grammy's, a role model for the trenches
Niggas dying for attention, niggas lying for attention
Bitch, I am a menace, I feel like Dayvon Bennett
All these niggas clowns, they be around, that shit a privilege
Actin' like y'all killers, 2020, that shit different

Let 'em know, let 'em know, let 'em know, let 'em-
I'm from the 'Go, from the 'Go, from the 'Go, from the-
Let's go, let's go, let's go
Take his soul, take his soul, take his soul
I keep on crying, I put my feelings in my GLA
I don't wanna rap and I don't really wanna be bothered
I just wanna sip, sip, sip, sip, D-time
I just wanna pop, pop, pop, pop, D-time

Grew up in the trenches with that mask, they takin' challenges
Put 'em on and when he get on his feet, he'll get to vanishin'
Mask out when I get up off these drugs, they boost my stamina
That pink emerald inside my Nuski chain, it stand for Cancer
The opposition playin' all my shit, I think I'm lit
You doin' that shit on Instagram, puttin' police in our business
Street nigga, I tell my niggas, "Go slide," I'm in my feelings
They ask me how up it is with them, it's to the ceiling, oh
I told 'em that I'm thuggin', I just lost my bousin, my cousin
I can do whatever 'cause I'm buzzing, I love it
They say nobody bigger than the mob, I'm above it
I just dropped some lean, now I'm sluggish
Do you love me? Loyalty, ooh-ooh
Do you respect me? Loyalty, ooh-ooh

Let 'em know, let 'em know, let 'em know, let 'em-
I'm from the 'Go, from the 'Go, from the 'Go, from the-
Let's go, let's go, let's go
Take his soul, take his soul, take his soul
I keep on crying, I put my feelings in my GLA
I don't wanna rap and I don't really wanna be bothered

I just wanna sip, sip, sip, sip, D-time
I just wanna pop, pop, pop, pop, D-time, oh-oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lil Durk's song "On Em" describe his journey from poverty to wealth and fame. He reflects on his past experiences of drug dealing, low-ball offers for shows, and the deaths of his cousin and friend. Durk also references his current status as a Grammy-nominated artist and a role model for those in similar situations. The lyrics convey Durk's desire to enjoy his newfound wealth and success, with lines like "fuck that money up" and "I just wanna sip, sip, sip" highlighting his desire for excess in his life.

The lyrics touch upon themes of betrayal, loyalty, and street justice. Durk calls out those who are not loyal to him, saying "Take my chain, then you trippin'," and warns that he is a "menace" that shouldn't be underestimated. He also speaks about the code of the streets, and how he tells his friends to "go slide" when he's in his feelings. Overall, the lyrics to "On Em" provide a window into Lil Durk's life story and his current mindset as he enjoys the fruits of his labor.

Line by Line Meaning

Let's find a better time to T up, fuck that money up, can't re-up
Let's be smart with our time to turn up, rather than wasting money that we can't replace

You rich, she broke, then get a prenup, got her body done in the DR
If you're wealthy and dating someone who isn't, protect your assets with a prenuptial agreement. Also, his partner got plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic

She think she crazy with them E cups, I'm the type to bring back Fila
His partner has breast implants and thinks it's a big deal, while Durk prefers to bring back the old school brand Fila

Have a foursome with some strippers, if I like 'em, turn to divas
Durk enjoys having group sex with strippers and elevating them to a higher status if they impress him

You're bigger than before, I can never go back poor
Durk has become more successful than ever and could never return to living in poverty

I can never go back to trappin' the quarter ounces in the snow
Durk won't ever go back to selling small amounts of drugs in dangerous conditions

I remember in my city gettin' low-balled for a show
Durk used to get underpaid for performances in his hometown

Now I'm the voice, I need two-hundred, I'll take one-fifty plus the dope
Durk now demands a higher payment for shows and will accept either $200K or $150K plus drugs as payment

Take my chain, then you trippin', I got money, now I'm different
Durk is no longer vulnerable to theft because of his wealth and has changed because of it

Nuski be there December fifteenth, that's why I really hate Christmas
Durk's friend Nuski was killed on December 15th, causing him to dislike the holiday

Told his mama that I got him, and she know I'ma stand on business
Durk promised Nuski's mother that he will always take care of him and honor his memory

Nominated for three Grammy's, a role model for the trenches
Durk is setting an example for those living in dangerous situations through his success and nominations for three Grammy Awards

Niggas dying for attention, niggas lying for attention
People are willing to die or lie to get attention or fame

Bitch, I am a menace, I feel like Dayvon Bennett
Durk is a troublemaker and compares himself to late rapper Pop Smoke, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett

All these niggas clowns, they be around, that shit a privilege
Durk sees other people as fake or undeserving of his company

Actin' like y'all killers, 2020, that shit different
Durk thinks it's different now than before when people could back up their 'killer' claims better

I keep on crying, I put my feelings in my GLA
Durk uses his Mercedes-Benz GLA to cry in and process his emotions

I don't wanna rap and I don't really wanna be bothered
Durk prefers not to be a rapper or deal with the related stress

I just wanna sip, sip, sip, sip, D-time
Durk wants to just drink lean (syrup), which he refers to as D-time

Grew up in the trenches with that mask, they takin' challenges
Durk is used to living in dangerous situations where wearing a mask is common practice, and people are constantly facing challenges

Put 'em on and when he get on his feet, he'll get to vanishin'
Durk teaches people in need to disappear when they get back on their feet, so they won't be indebted to others

Mask out when I get up off these drugs, they boost my stamina
Durk wears a mask when he's not on drugs to enhance his physical performance

That pink emerald inside my Nuski chain, it stand for Cancer
The pink emerald in Durk's chain, which is dedicated to his friend Nuski, represents Cancer-awareness

The opposition playin' all my shit, I think I'm lit
Durk's enemies are listening to his music, which he sees as a sign of his success

You doin' that shit on Instagram, puttin' police in our business
Durk doesn't want people to broadcast their illegal activities on Instagram, leading to police involvement

Street nigga, I tell my niggas, 'Go slide,' I'm in my feelings
Durk has a tough reputation but is emotionally affected by the violence around him and might order his associates to retaliate

They ask me how up it is with them, it's to the ceiling, oh
Durk is doing exceptionally well and his career has reached its highest point

I told 'em that I'm thuggin', I just lost my bousin, my cousin
Durk confirms his status as a criminal and reveals that he recently lost his cousin

I can do whatever 'cause I'm buzzing, I love it
Durk is excited and invigorated by his success and newfound wealth

They say nobody bigger than the mob, I'm above it
Durk doesn't believe in the Mafia or organized crime and thinks he's superior to it

I just dropped some lean, now I'm sluggish
After drinking lean, Durk feels tired and lethargic

Do you love me? Loyalty, ooh-ooh
Durk asks if someone loves him, and the answer is loyalty and genuine care

Do you respect me? Loyalty, ooh-ooh
Durk values respect and wants it from others, as it is another form of loyalty

Take his soul, take his soul, take his soul
Durk wants to harm or kill someone

Let 'em know, let 'em know, let 'em know, let 'em-
Durk wants people to understand and acknowledge his feelings and thoughts

I'm from the 'Go, from the 'Go, from the 'Go, from the-
Durk is from Chicago, also known as the 'Go'

Let's go, let's go, let's go
Durk is ready and motivated

I just wanna pop, pop, pop, pop, D-time, oh-oh
Durk is excited to drink lean and feel a sense of escape

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Durk Banks, Joshua Samuel, Braylen Rembert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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