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.
Preach
Lil Durk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll hit the clean with the cut, yes
Goofy smoke my weed, nah
Your gun come with a beam, yes
Alexander McQueen scarf
Not for the drip, I cover the tats
Might gotta shoot a nigga all in his back
Nigga act like he a big dawg
I call Von, he steer with the MAC
I don't sip drink but I do miss Ac'
I know a young nigga that'll work this pack
See him one time and he can't get a pass
None of my shooters gon' put on a mask
They gon' kill whoever they catch
Nigga want gas, I'll put on a tax
Nigga better run when that Hellcat scratch
You can't come around, you don't boot up off x
I can't come down, just give me my meds
Only The Fam', ain't really got friends
I spent two thousand on a pair of pants
I'm real street, nigga, I need romance
I told her come down, she don't suck with no hands
Niggas ain't gang, they really be fans
They say when I talk, sound like I preach
They say they love when I talk to the streets
If you not real, stop talkin' to me
If you not trill, stop talkin' to me, woah
'Posed to be my brother, woah
Showed your true colors
Niggas actin' like they for us
But I thought we had each other, woah
We used to serve in the alley
I talk to my pops on the tablet
I fuck with the T's, they valid
I fuck with the stones, they valid
Prices lower than Cali'
The flight's a thousand and somethin'
But Ralo got caught on the private
I hate all the cops with a passion
Fast car, so I don't gotta stash it
Too high, I keep bands near the glasses
Bitch niggas, they make me the maddest
I done seen niggas snitch on the status
Killers slide in the night like Gladys
From the hood where they flip off a mattress
Where they light crack pipes for mattresses
Where they try to put air in their baggies
Where they'll try lower your standards
Why you tryna get me on camera?
Talkin' bout murders, I vanish
And I want my plug to speak Spanish
And I like my ho to be managed
Where the feds did a sweep, it did damage
Where the feds did a sweep, it did
They say when I talk, sound like I preach
They say they love when I talk to the streets
If you not real, stop talkin' to me
If you not trill, stop talkin' to me, woah
'Posed to be my brother, woah
Showed your true colors
Niggas actin' like they for us
But I thought we had each other, woah
In "Preach" by Lil Durk, the rapper makes references to his street credibility and authenticity while also criticizing those who claim to be his friend but show their true colors. Durk starts his verse by noting that he doesn't drink lean but misses the feeling of being high on it, and he wouldn't smoke with someone who's "goofy." He also mentions some of his expensive clothing, such as his Alexander McQueen scarf that he wears to cover his tattoos when necessary. However, Durk warns that he's capable of violence if provoked, and he has a team of shooters who don't need to hide behind masks.
In the chorus, Lil Durk reflects on his reputation as a preacher among his fans, since he speaks from experience about life in the streets. He encourages others to be real with him, and he continues by addressing those who betrayed him even though they were supposed to be his protectors. Durk reminds us that disloyalty is unacceptable when it comes to family and friends.
The second verse continues the theme of street life, with Durk reminiscing about drug sales and his connections with other dealers. He mentions the rapper Ralo, who was recently arrested for flying with over $1m worth of marijuana. Durk hates the police and keeps his cash on him at all times, even near his glasses. He also criticizes those who snitch, often leading to the deaths of their colleagues. Finally, Durk reflects on the poverty, drug addiction, and crime that he encountered in his hood growing up, and he distances himself from anyone who tries to exploit that kind of suffering for financial gain.
Line by Line Meaning
You would take a sip of that green, nah
You might think I'm talking about weed, but that's not what I'm referring to
You'll hit the clean with the cut, yes
You'll mix the substance with a cutting agent to maximize profits
Goofy smoke my weed, nah
I don't trust people who act weird when they smoke my weed
Your gun come with a beam, yes
Your gun has a laser sight for precision aiming
Alexander McQueen scarf
I'm stylish and wear expensive clothing
Not for the drip, I cover the tats
I'm not showing off my ink, I'm hiding it
Might gotta shoot a nigga all in his back
If someone threatens me, I might have to defend myself with deadly force
Nigga act like he a big dawg
Someone is acting like they're powerful, but they're not
Everything he say out his mouth straight cap
He's not telling the truth, just talking nonsense
I call Von, he steer with the MAC
I call my friend Von who expertly handles the machine gun
I don't sip drink but I do miss Ac'
I don't drink alcohol but I miss a prescription painkiller
I know a young nigga that'll work this pack
I know a young guy who will sell drugs for me
See him one time and he can't get a pass
I don't give second chances to someone who messes up
None of my shooters gon' put on a mask
My shooters won't hide their faces when they commit crimes
They gon' kill whoever they catch
My shooters will kill whoever they find as a target
Nigga want gas, I'll put on a tax
If someone wants a favor, they have to pay me for it
Nigga better run when that Hellcat scratch
If someone sees me driving my high-performance car, they should get out of my way
You can't come around, you don't boot up off x
You can't come here if you're not under the influence of ecstasy
I can't come down, just give me my meds
I can't stop taking my prescription medication, it helps me function
Only The Fam', ain't really got friends
I only trust my family members, not really interested in making new friends
I spent two thousand on a pair of pants
I'm wealthy and can afford to spend thousands on clothing
I'm real street, nigga, I need romance
I may be tough, but I still enjoy romantic relationships
I told her come down, she don't suck with no hands
I asked her to come over and give me a blowjob without using her hands
Niggas ain't gang, they really be fans
Some people pretend to be in a gang, but they're actually just admirers
They say when I talk, sound like I preach
People think I'm sharing wise advice when I talk
They say they love when I talk to the streets
People appreciate my perspective and message when I talk to the streets
If you not real, stop talkin' to me
If you're not genuine, don't bother communicating with me
If you not trill, stop talkin' to me, woah
If you're not authentic, don't waste your time trying to talk to me
'Posed to be my brother, woah
I thought we were close like family
Showed your true colors
You revealed your true self and intentions
Niggas actin' like they for us
People pretend to be on our side but they're not
But I thought we had each other, woah
I believed we were united and had each other's backs
We used to serve in the alley
We used to sell drugs in a dark place
I talk to my pops on the tablet
I communicate with my father using electronic devices
I fuck with the T's, they valid
I associate with the people from the neighborhood and they're trustworthy
I fuck with the stones, they valid
I trust the gang members who are loyal to me
Prices lower than Cali'
The prices of our drugs are cheaper than in California
The flight's a thousand and somethin'
The cost of a flight is over a thousand dollars
But Ralo got caught on the private
But Ralo got arrested while flying on a private plane
I hate all the cops with a passion
I really dislike all law enforcement officers
Fast car, so I don't gotta stash it
I drive a fast car so I don't have to hide anything in secret compartments
Too high, I keep bands near the glasses
I'm too high to count my money, so I keep it close to my sunglasses
Bitch niggas, they make me the maddest
I get really angry when I encounter cowardly people
I done seen niggas snitch on the status
I witnessed people who cooperated with police and revealed information about our activities
Killers slide in the night like Gladys
Assassins move quietly at night like the singer Gladys Knight
From the hood where they flip off a mattress
In my neighborhood, people can sell drugs on any surface, including a mattress
Where they light crack pipes for mattresses
In my area, people use crack pipes to light cigarettes and other things
Where they try to put air in their baggies
People in my community try to inflate their drug bags to appear more valuable
Where they'll try lower your standards
Some people in my hood will make you compromise your principles
Why you tryna get me on camera?
Why are you attempting to record me on video?
Talkin' bout murders, I vanish
If someone speaks about murders, I disappear from the conversation
And I want my plug to speak Spanish
I prefer to deal with people who speak Spanish
And I like my ho to be managed
I prefer my romantic partner to have a boss or manager personality
Where the feds did a sweep, it did damage
The federal agents' operation caused significant harm and disruption
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Durk Banks, Gerrel Townsend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@younlo
[Verse 1]
You would take a sip of that green, nah
You'll hit the clean with the cut, yes
Goofy smoke my weed, nah
Your gun come with a beam, yes
Alexander McQueen scarf
Not for the drip, I cover the tats
Might gotta shoot a nigga all in his back
Nigga act like he a big dawg
Everything he say out his mouth straight cap
I call Von, he steer with the MAC
I don't sip drink but I do miss Act'
I know a young nigga that'll work this pack
See him one time and he can't get a pass
None of my shooters gon' put on a mask
They gon' kill whoever they catch
Nigga want gas, I'll put on a tax
Nigga better run when that Hellcat scratch
You can't come around, you don't boot up off x
I can't come down, just give me my meds
Only The Fam', ain't really got friends
I spent two thousand on a pair of pants
I'm real street, nigga, I need romance
I told her come down, she don't suck with no hands
Niggas ain't gang, they really be fans
[Chorus]
They say when I talk, sound like I preach
They say they love when I talk to the streets
If you not real, stop talkin' to me
If you not trill, stop talkin' to me, woah
'Posed to be my brother, woah
Showed your true colors
Niggas actin' like they for us
But I thought we had each other, woah
[Verse 2]
We used to serve in the alley
I talk to my pops on the tablet
I fuck with the T's, they valid
I fuck with the stones, they valid
Prices lower than Cali'
The flight's a thousand and somethin'
But Ralo got caught on the private
I hate all the cops with a passion
Fast car, so I don't gotta stash it
Too high, I keep bands near the glasses
Bitch niggas, they make me the maddest
I done seen niggas snitch on the status
Killers slide in the night like Gladys
From the hood where they flip off a mattress
Where they light crack pipes for mattresses
Where they try to put air in their baggies
Where they'll try lower your standards
Why you tryna get me on camera?
Talkin' bout murders, I vanish
And I want my plug to speak Spanish
And I like my ho to be managed
Where the feds did a sweep, it did damage
Where the feds did a sweep, it did
@andrewnelson9742
You would take a sip of that green, nah
You'll hit the clean with the cut, yes
Goofy smoke my weed, nah
Your gun come with a beam, yes
Alexander McQueen scarf
Not for the drip, I cover the tats
Might gotta shoot a nigga all in his back
Nigga act like he a big dawg
Everything he say out his mouth straight cap
I call Von, he steer with the MAC
I don't sip drink but I do miss Ac'
I know a young nigga that'll work this pack
See him one time and he can't get a pass
None of my shooters gon' put on a mask
They gon' kill whoever they catch
Nigga want gas, I'll put on a tax
Nigga better run when that Hellcat scratch
You can't come around, you don't boot up off x
I can't come down, just give me my meds
Only The Fam', ain't really got friends
I spent two thousand on a pair of pants
I'm real street, nigga, I need romance
I told her come down, she don't suck with no hands
Niggas ain't gang, they really be fans
They say when I talk, sound like I preach
They say they love when I talk to the streets
If you not real, stop talkin' to me
If you not trill, stop talkin' to me, woah
'Posed to be my brother, woah
Showed your true colors
Niggas actin' like they for us
But I thought we had each other, woah
We used to serve in the alley
I talk to my pops on the tablet
I fuck with the T's, they valid
I fuck with the stones, they valid
Prices lower than Cali'
The flight's a thousand and somethin'
But Ralo got caught on the private
I hate all the cops with a passion
Fast car, so I don't gotta stash it
Too high, I keep bands near the glasses
Bitch niggas, they make me the maddest
I done seen niggas snitch on the status
Killers slide in the night like Gladys
From the hood where they flip off a mattress
Where they light crack pipes for mattresses
Where they try to put air in their baggies
Where they'll try lower your standards
Why you tryna get me on camera?
Talkin' bout murders, I vanish
And I want my plug to speak Spanish
And I like my ho to be managed
Where the feds did a sweep, it did damage
Where the feds did a sweep, it did
They say when I talk, sound like I preach
They say they love when I talk to the streets
If you not real, stop talkin' to me
If you not trill, stop talkin' to me, woah
'Posed to be my brother, woah
Showed your true colors
Niggas actin' like they for us
But I thought we had each other, woah
@fredyprado9938
On repeat every time I’m in the car 🔥🔥
@WhereisYunoGasai
Definitely my favourite Durk track 🔥
@joshbronson8577
On of my favorite durk songs 🔥🔥
@yktvz6020
This Track Need a Billion Views No Cap 🙅🏽♂️🧢
@powwowjenkins
Man China you Went in on this one keep It solid and keep being you this was made for you
@godlyguy4182
This is one of the best songs man 🤞🏾💯
@russells8827
Everything on this album is fire
@Lilkey812
Cap😂 and I fw durk heavy
@JelaniAsemota
This shit is to hard to be out in the music world#DJGhost💯
@clitcommander6946
Preach it Durkio 🙌👐💯