Beginning his career, from 2011 to 2012, Durk released his debut, un-official mixtape, Iโm a Hitta which was released on August 26, 2011. On April 3, 2012, Durk released his sophomore mixtape, a sequel to his previous tape, Iโm Still a Hitta. Durka later released his third mixtape on November 5, 2012, titled Life Ainโt No Joke
Like many drill artists, Durkโs 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 Durkโs 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 โWhat You Do to Meโ.
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 โLike Me.โ Later that year, Durk released his sixth mixtape 300 Days 300 Nights which included his then-girlfriend, Dej Loaf-assisted, โMy Beyoncรฉ.โ
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 โNobody Knowsโ. 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 โIndiaโ dedicated to his fiancรฉ India Cox otherwise known as India Royale.
In 2018, Durk released two projects, he began with Just Cause Y'all Waited, Durkโs 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 Yโall 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 Durkโs 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 Durkโs first solo project to top the charts.
Outro
Lil Durk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My first week sales, I had like sixty-some thousand, but they don't count JPay
How the fuck you don't count the realest niggas, you know what I'm saying?
That's that label shit, fuck that shit (Will-A-Fool)
Got kicked out the crib, put a latch on it
It feel good to sleep all in the trap, don't it?
I be hangin' 'round killers with racks on me
It feel good to come all the way back from it
When you up, they gon' say that you act funny
You feel cocky, you actually got money
Felt neglected when Chino got snatched from me
If you love the streets more than you love your family, you crazy
They'll love you more, they adore you more 'cause you made it
They turned they back on me, I forgave 'em, I'm crazy
Them niggas gon' go, them niggas gon' roll whenever I say it
Them niggas some hoes, them niggas some hoes, they don't get attention
You would try to ignore when I'm at my lowest, I don't forgive you
I was at my lowest, I couldn't afford it, I was so miserable
I was ditchin' school, mixing lean and juice, I was off chemicals
I ain't got a choice, I got a voice, this shit difficult
Wakin' up to three million dollars cash, that shit a miracle
Can't let a bitch put me on blast, I'm too spiritual
They say I gotta let go of the past, I ain't hearin' you
In this song, Lil Durk reflects on his lifeโs journey, from his early days as a struggling artist to his current success as a wealthy rapper. He starts by talking about his record sales and how they didn't count his prison sales, which is a metaphor for his underground success. He then talks about being forced out of his childhood home and finding comfort in the trap house where he sleeps. He goes on to say he has been around those with money and those without and is grateful to be in a place of financial security. He acknowledges that when you have money, people will say that you are acting different and feeling yourself, but he says it is simply because he is happy and not because he is trying to show off his wealth. Lil Durk raps about feeling neglected when his friend, Chino, was arrested, and how some people will love you only after you have โmade it.โ
Durk becomes self-reflective when he says that people who love the streets more than their family are crazy because they will turn on you, but the streets will love you when you have made it. He forgave those who turned their backs on him and moved on. Lil Durk talks about those who tried to ignore him when he was at his lowest and couldn't afford anything. He also talks about abusing drugs, mixing lean and juice, and feeling miserable during those times. He knows it wasn't the best way to deal with his problems, but he felt he had no other choice.
The song shows Lil Durkโs growth as an artist and person. He talks about the importance of moving on and not dwelling on the past. Durk knows he has financial security, but he has learned that money cannot buy happiness. He has forgiven those who have wronged him, and he knows the importance of family and true friends. The song "Outro" gives listeners a glimpse of Lil Durk's life and journey to success.
Line by Line Meaning
You know they told me, um
I was given information
My first week sales, I had like sixty-some thousand, but they don't count J-Pay
My album sold well, but a certain type of sale was not counted
How the fuck you don't count the realest niggas, you know what I'm saying?
The most authentic individuals were disregarded
That's that label shit, fuck that shit (Will-A-Fool)
This is a negative aspect of the music industry, and I disapprove of it
Got kicked out the crib, put a latch on it
I was forced to leave my home and security measures were put in place to prevent my return
It feel good to sleep all in the trap, don't it?
It's satisfying to be successful in the hustle and have a place to rest
I be hanging 'round killers with racks on me
I associate with dangerous individuals who are financially successful
I done made me some plays and put tax on it
I've made profitable moves and added my commission
It feel good to come all the way back from it
It's an accomplishment to have overcome obstacles
When you up, they gon' say that you act funny
People may perceive changes in my behavior when I'm successful
You feel cocky, you actually got money
I may come across as arrogant, but I have earned wealth
Felt neglected when Chino got snatched from me
I experienced feelings of abandonment when a close associate was incarcerated
If you love the streets more than you love your family, you crazy
Prioritizing the danger and struggle of the streets over the security and love of family is irrational
They'll love you more, they adore you more 'cause you made it
People may show affection and admiration once you've become successful
They turned they back on me, I forgave 'em, I'm crazy
Individuals who abandoned me have been forgiven, which may seem foolish to some
Them niggas gon' go, them niggas gon' roll whenever I say it
Those individuals will do as I command
Them niggas some hoes, them niggas some hoes, they don't get attention
Those individuals lack respect and recognition
You would try to ignore when I'm at my lowest, I don't forgive you
Those who turn a blind eye to my struggles will not be forgiven
I was at my lowest, I couldn't afford it, I was so miserable
I was experiencing a low point financially and emotionally
I was ditchin' school, mixing lean and juice, I was off chemicals
I engaged in negative behaviors as a youth, abusing substances
I ain't got a choice, I got a voice, this shit difficult
I feel compelled to speak out, even when it's challenging
Waking up to three million dollars cash, that shit a miracle
Having a large sum of money is an unexpected and almost unbelievable occurrence
Can't let a bitch put me on blast, I'm too spiritual
I won't allow negative people to publicly shame me, because I prioritize my spiritual well-being
They say I gotta let go of the past, I ain't hearing you
Some advise me to move on from past traumas, but I am not willing to listen
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Neal, Durk Banks, William Jerome Byrd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sabrina Medina
I still bump this song everyday wishing it was longer ๐ฅฒ
GloMan Stunna
Fax , whatโs your insta ?
Serigne Diop
๐คฃ
final-pants4
@GloMan Stunna ๐
LTOBITO
100% agree with you have you got snap
SIXSZN
Durkio been gettin me thru all em phases. Dude got a song for every mood. Role model n a ๐๐ฏ
Aurora 630
On god
m1k3hu7ch
fr ๐ซ๐งข
423 SLIMM
๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ
Qutayba Bouchouya
@Aurora 630 lll