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.
RN4L
Lil Durk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happenin' with my boy Durkio, man
He the soul of the streets, man, I'm the voice of the streets, man
I'll be back out there going crazy
Bro was there when nobody wasn't there, man
You know, payin' lawyer fees, you know, sending bread, whatever, on bro
Holding a motherfucker down, man, doing his thing for me
All you fu' ass niggas out there snaked out, man, on some fake shit, man
Showed love, man, stayed down, shout out to real niggas, man
Y'all know I'm on my OTF shit, man, on go
They told me don't die young because I'm talented
You really for me, you been around and you ain't asked for shit
Voice of the streets, and if I say it, Vern, he stand on it
I speak my soul through my music, I'm so passionate
And if you thinkin' 'bout taking my chain, just know you would die with it
When them niggas count your pockets, you gotta watch that shit
I ain't have a pot to piss in, you did
You say this brother shit fell off, it did (turn up)
I'm the brains and you the muscle, that's Rodney still
And niggas really speak they mind off them Perky pills
They left me hanging and left me abandoned, that shit hurt me still
We fell off and it was a shootout, and I think they'll murk me still
In the studio smoking exotic, comin' up with new bars
I tried to stop it, I tried to stop it, that shit too far
Been around with my brothers, you give me endurance, I ride with two Glocks
And I'm thinking 'bout getting insurance, tryna do me like 2Pac
Ooh, it hurt my soul
Who gon' ride with you 'til the end?
Then again, you gotta watch out for your friends
They disrespect me on the 'net, don't pay it no 'ttention
They told me don't die young because I'm talented
You really for me, you been around and you ain't asked for shit
Voice of the streets, and if I say it, Vern, he stand on it
I speak my soul through my music, I'm so passionate
And if you thinkin' 'bout taking my chain, just know you would die with it
When them niggas count your pockets, you gotta watch that shit
I ain't have a pot to piss in, you did
You say this brother shit fell off, it did (turn up)
Gotta be a snake to hang around you snakes
Boona gon' be straight, you know that's my lil' ace
If you play with my name, the streets gon' give you a taste
Just signed my deal with Bel-Air, fuck around and give you a case
Niggas low-key Chuck E. Cheese, tryna give you a case
A lot of pussies in these streets and I'll never embrace
You talking like you an OG and you can't get replaced
They wanna see your face in the casket, I told 'em leave your face
And I be thinkin' about my dawg until them Runtz gone
Until a nigga shoot that dome, it won't be much long
It's not a letter to the streets, it's just a love song
Lost Baby D to these streets, can't believe my cuz gone
They told me don't die young because I'm talented
You really for me, you been around and you ain't asked for shit
Voice of the streets, and if I say it, Vern, he stand on it
I speak my soul through my music, I'm so passionate
And if you thinkin' 'bout taking my chain, just know you would die with it
When them niggas count your pockets, you gotta watch that shit
I ain't have a pot to piss in, you did
You say this brother shit fell off, it did (turn up)
(Let's get it)
(DJ on the beat, so it's a banger)
The lyrics to Lil Durk's song RN4L reflect on Durkio's relationships with people and his experiences with betrayal. The song begins with an introduction by Mad, emphasizing Durkio's influence as the soul of the streets and Mad's voice as a representative of those same streets. Durkio talks about his journey, revealing that he has been told not to die young due to his talent. He reflects on how some friends and associates betrayed him, leaving him to fend for himself. However, he acknowledges the real individuals who stuck with him through thick and thin.
The second verse touches on Durkio's relationship with his friend Rodney, where he is the brains, and Rodney is the muscle. Durkio is candid about how he tried to stop indulging in drugs and how he has been through a lot with his brothers. He also talks about how he feels that he needs to get insurance because he is afraid of being killed like Tupac. Towards the end of the verse, he raps about the pain he feels over losing a cousin to the streets.
In the final verse, Durkio speaks on how he has learned from his experiences. He acknowledges that there are many snakes in the game, but he also knows that his real friends will always have his back. He affirms that he will always make his way in the industry, hinting at a new record deal. The theme of betrayal, loyalty, and Durkio's passion is the driving force of this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, man, it's Mad, man, live from the trenches, man
Starting the song with his introduction and giving the context of where he is from.
Happenin' with my boy Durkio, man
Acknowledging himself and his friends in the studio and setting the tone for the rest of the song.
He the soul of the streets, man, I'm the voice of the streets, man
Explaining the roles he and his friends play in the streets of his hometown.
I'll be back out there going crazy
Promising to make more music for the streets when he gets out of the studio.
Bro was there when nobody wasn't there, man
Thanking his friend for being there for him when he needed the support.
You know, payin' lawyer fees, you know, sending bread, whatever, on bro
Describing how his friend helped him financially when he was in trouble with the law.
Holding a motherfucker down, man, doing his thing for me
Acknowledging the support his friend gave him during a tough time in his life.
All you fu' ass niggas out there snaked out, man, on some fake shit, man
Calling out people who turned their backs on him and didn't show him any loyalty.
Remember all the real niggas
Reminding listeners to always stick with the people who are loyal and genuine.
Showed love, man, stayed down, shout out to real niggas, man
Giving a shoutout to the real ones who never betrayed him and stayed by his side.
Y'all know I'm on my OTF shit, man, on go
Explaining that he represents his crew and is always ready for action.
They told me don't die young because I'm talented
Acknowledging that he is a talented artist and people should look out for him.
You really for me, you been around and you ain't asked for shit
Being grateful for the people who support him without expecting anything in return.
Voice of the streets, and if I say it, Vern, he stand on it
Emphasizing that he speaks for the streets and his friend Vern will back him up no matter what.
I speak my soul through my music, I'm so passionate
Describing how he puts his heart and soul into his music and is passionate about what he does.
And if you thinkin' 'bout taking my chain, just know you would die with it
Warning anyone who is thinking of robbing him and that it will not end well for them.
When them niggas count your pockets, you gotta watch that shit
Giving advice to be aware of people who are always counting your money and not to trust them.
I ain't have a pot to piss in, you did
Reflecting on his past and how he didn't have much growing up, and comparing it to someone who did.
You say this brother shit fell off, it did (turn up)
Agreeing with someone who said brotherhood has fallen off and getting excited to turn up.
I'm the brains and you the muscle, that's Rodney still
Describing the roles he and his friend Rodney play in their crew, with Durk being the brains and Rodney being the muscle.
And niggas really speak they mind off them Perky pills
Commenting on how some people talk too much when they are under the influence of drugs like Percocet.
They left me hanging and left me abandoned, that shit hurt me still
Expressing hurt and resentment towards people who left him alone during tough times.
We fell off and it was a shootout, and I think they'll murk me still
Describing a situation where he fell out with some people and they had a shootout, and fearing that they may still try to harm him.
In the studio smoking exotic, comin' up with new bars
Explaining where he is and what he is doing - writing and recording music while smoking high-quality weed.
I tried to stop it, I tried to stop it, that shit too far
Admitting that he sometimes gets too high when smoking weed and struggles to control it.
Been around with my brothers, you give me endurance, I ride with two Glocks
Referring to the people he is with as his brothers and gaining strength and determination from being with them, while also carrying two guns for protection.
And I'm thinking 'bout getting insurance, tryna do me like 2Pac
Joking about getting insurance like Tupac did before he was killed, showing that he is aware of the dangers that come with being a prominent figure in the rap game.
Ooh, it hurt my soul
Expressing sadness and pain about a difficult situation that he has experienced.
Who gon' ride with you 'til the end?
Asking a rhetorical question about who will stay loyal until the very end.
Then again, you gotta watch out for your friends
Reiterating that loyalty is important, but also reminding listeners to be cautious of who they trust.
They disrespect me on the 'net, don't pay it no 'ttention
Acknowledging the negativity he receives online and advising people not to give those comments any attention.
Gotta be a snake to hang around you snakes
Acknowledging that some people are only friends with him for their own benefit and comparing them to snakes.
Boona gon' be straight, you know that's my lil' ace
Assuring listeners that his friend Boona will be okay and that he is like family to him.
If you play with my name, the streets gon' give you a taste
Issuing a warning to anyone who tries to disrespect his name, indicating that the streets will retaliate.
Just signed my deal with Bel-Air, fuck around and give you a case
Announcing that he has signed a new deal with Bel-Air, and warning people not to mess with him or they might end up in legal trouble.
Niggas low-key Chuck E. Cheese, tryna give you a case
Comparing people who frame others to the animatronics at Chuck E. Cheese, indicating that they are fake and don't actually care about him.
A lot of pussies in these streets and I'll never embrace
Acknowledging the abundance of disloyal and fake people in his town and indicating that he will never accept them as friends.
You talking like you an OG and you can't get replaced
Calling out people who act like they are untouchable and indicating that they are not irreplaceable.
They wanna see your face in the casket, I told 'em leave your face
Acknowledging that some people want him dead and advising them to leave him alone and not take their hatred to a violent level.
And I be thinkin' about my dawg until them Runtz gone
Reflecting on a loved one who has passed away and indicating that he will never forget about them.
Until a nigga shoot that dome, it won't be much long
Talking about the possibility of death and indicating that it might happen sooner rather than later, but he will continue to live his life until then.
It's not a letter to the streets, it's just a love song
Clarifying that this song isn't a message to the streets, but rather a love song dedicated to someone he cares about.
Lost Baby D to these streets, can't believe my cuz gone
Reflecting on the loss of someone close to him and indicating that he can't believe they are gone.
(Let's get it)
Encouraging listeners to get excited and hype for the rest of the song.
(DJ on the beat, so it's a banger)
Credit to the DJ who produced the beat for the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Darrel L. Jackson, Durk D. Banks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zNYF
This entire album is insane, you can feel every word he say on every track. Durkio the 🐐🐐
@djcook
gotta stay up for durk
@ChildOfJesus127
DJ Cook I POSTED THE LYRICS TO RN4L GO WATCH
@Cxp144
Mando
@BigAtto1510
DJ Cook Support a real 💯nigga from Chicago . HARD ASS MUSIC ON MY CHANNEL no disrespect but I’m grinding for recognition
No🧢
@duke4life134
Ok, DJ
@kevinstewart4123
@BOSS OTTO nigga you dont know what the hell you talking about this whole post is you trying get clout and you say it ain't for recognition......bruh
@RicheyRichh
Still one of his greatest songs ever and I stand by that‼️🖤
@2OD94
Had to come back to this one 2022 🔥🔥😈
@KrankyKranky1
@Blaze Out 2022?🤔