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.
Street Life
Lil Durk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll see quitting while you're here means ending one chapter and starting a new one
I'mma keep the trigger off safety and, my eyes on the prize
God got my back and, my balls gonna make sure I stand 10 toes down
Middle finger to the muthafuckin' world! Durk, end this chapter!"
Summertime shootouts
Everybody a shooter
Everybody had rugers
I was broke and I was down, now I'm all about the mula
(?) bitches super desperate, I call her ass a cougar
Hit a (?) got no traffic, bro call my ass a uber
Can't starve I gotta make it, I'mma turn this shit a movie
Black opps, niggas know I'm the wack opps
I'm the face, no mascot
300 pounds of jackpot and I used to sell-
Dummy bags for the ps you come short
Dopeboy 20k got a choppa on the porch
I got a choppa on the porch and a yopper in the (?)
I got four of 'em in the bush
You ever had to wake up to yo' mans like he's somebody else
(?) I'm lookin' up like Lord somebody help
I can't feel my face I swear I feel I'm by myself
I've been to war nobodys left
Street life
I'm tryna make it out this street life
I'm tryna make it out this street, oooh
Yea, yeaah, street life
Hermes sneaks, I'm just kickin' flavor
(?) booth tryna make a hit, like imma kick it later
30k a show, I'm tryna get the 80
And get my mama a new crib, and brother new Mercedes
And get my niggas out the trap, my sister out the Navy
And get Zayden from his mama, I know them bitches hate me
And yeah the streets ravin', can't count nobody out, (?)
(?), and get the keys to the lamb
Appartments to a mansion, school pants to fashion
(?) dog food, not a pantry
Fo nem learned the hard way, dog food and the hard way
I used to trap up out that hallway
Street life
Rest in peace to my niggas that never made it out of the street life
'Cause everybody don't make it out
I'm tryna make it out that street life
Yeaah, make it out the street life
In Lil Durk's song Street Life, the artist reflects on his experience with street life and his desire to move away from it. He acknowledges that while the goal is always to get out of the streets, quitting means ending one chapter and starting anew. Lil Durk expresses his determination to stay vigilant and keep moving forward with his eyes on the prize. He feels that God has got his back and his courage will ensure he stands firm. The artist declares that he is ready to end this chapter with a middle finger to the world.
The lyrics in the song paint a vivid picture of the street life. Lil Durk reflects on the summertime shootouts, the desperation, and hunger that led to him selling dummy bags at one point. However, his desire for financial success and the ability to help those around him, including his mom and brother, has pushed him to seek greener pastures. The artist's aspirations extend beyond his immediate family, as he also hopes to help his friends escape the trap of the street life.
In conclusion, Lil Durk's Street Life is a reflection on his experiences with street life and his determination for better outcomes. He recognizes the dangers and pitfalls of street life while expressing his aspirations to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
See the goal, is always gonna be get out the streets
The aim is to leave the streets and not stay stuck in them.
You'll see quitting while you're here means ending one chapter and starting a new one
Stopping while in the streets is like closing one chapter of life and beginning another one, something that should be considered.
I'mma keep the trigger off safety and, my eyes on the prize
I will remain alert and focused on my goal while at the same time ready to defend myself.
God got my back and, my balls gonna make sure I stand 10 toes down
I feel confident and supported by God, and my courage will ensure my stability and resilience in any situation.
Middle finger to the muthafuckin' world! Durk, end this chapter!
I will defy anyone or anything that stands in the way of me leaving the streets, and I will put an end to this chapter (of my life).
Summertime shootouts
Summer is a violent time where shootings are frequent.
Everybody a shooter
Everyone is carrying a gun and prepared to use it.
Glock poppin' now before this
Shots are being fired from a Glock gun.
Everybody had rugers
Everyone has a Ruger gun and is ready to use it.
I was broke and I was down, now I'm all about the mula
I was once poor and struggling but now my focus is on money and financial stability.
(?) bitches super desperate, I call her ass a cougar
Some women are really desperate for attention and money, and I refer to them as cougars.
Hit a (?) got no traffic, bro call my ass a uber
When I need to go somewhere quickly I will call an Uber ride.
Can't starve I gotta make it, I'mma turn this shit a movie
I cannot afford to fail, and I am determined to make something big of my life.
Black opps, niggas know I'm the wack opps
I am known among my rivals as the most dangerous opponent.
I'm the face, no mascot
I am the person who represents my gang or crew, without hiding behind a mask or persona.
300 pounds of jackpot and I used to sell-
I have a large quantity of drugs (potentially worth a lot of money) and I used to sell them.
Dummy bags for the ps you come short
I used to sell drugs in small portions, and if someone didn't have enough money I would give them fake drugs instead (dummy bags).
Dopeboy 20k got a choppa on the porch
As a drug dealer I made a lot of money, which has allowed me to buy weapons to protect myself (a choppa, slang for a machine gun) and I keep it on my porch.
I got a choppa on the porch and a yopper in the (?)
I have a machine gun on my front porch and a handgun in my car.
I got four of 'em in the bush
I have four guns hidden in the bushes for easy access in case of danger.
You ever had to wake up to yo' mans like he's somebody else
Have you ever experienced seeing someone you know acting differently than they usually would, perhaps due to drugs or mental health issues?
(?) I'm lookin' up like Lord somebody help
In moments of distress I often feel like I'm alone and in need of help from a higher power.
I can't feel my face I swear I feel I'm by myself
I am so consumed by what I'm going through that I feel like nobody can understand it or feel it quite like I do.
I've been to war nobodys left
I've been through so much hardship and suffering that it feels like there's nobody left around me, I'm alone.
Rest in peace to my niggas that never made it out of the street life
I pay my respects to those I knew that died before they could leave the streets.
'Cause everybody don't make it out
It's not always guaranteed that someone will be able to leave the streets and have a better life.
Hermes sneaks, I'm just kickin' flavor
I'm wearing expensive designer shoes and am just flaunting my style.
(?) booth tryna make a hit, like imma kick it later
I'm working hard on making music in the recording booth, and I know that eventually it will pay off.
30k a show, I'm tryna get the 80
I am earning 30 thousand dollars per performance, but I'm aiming to triple that and make 80k or more.
And get my mama a new crib, and brother new Mercedes
I want to use my wealth to buy my mother a new house and my brother a new car.
And get my niggas out the trap, my sister out the Navy
I want to help my friends escape poverty (the trap) and my sister leave her current way of life (the Navy).
And get Zayden from his mama, I know them bitches hate me
I want to take Zayden away from his mother, even though I know that she and other women may dislike me for doing so.
And yeah the streets ravin', can't count nobody out, (?)
The streets are chaotic and unpredictable, and anything can happen. Nobody can be counted out or underestimated.
(?), and get the keys to the lamb
I want to continue to make money and achieve success, so much that I can actually afford to buy luxury cars like a Lamborghini.
Appartments to a mansion, school pants to fashion
From living in apartments I want to move up to a mansion, and from wearing school uniforms to wearing fashionable clothes.
(?) dog food, not a pantry
I am no longer living in poverty, and can afford to eat better than just canned dog food.
Fo nem learned the hard way, dog food and the hard way
Some of my friends had to endure the same poverty and hardship that I did, all while eating dog food and going through a lot of struggles.
I used to trap up out that hallway
I used to sell drugs from a hallway in a building, but now I am trying to leave all that behind and escape the street life.
Street life
The violent, dangerous, and unpredictable existence of living in the streets.
I'm tryna make it out this street life
I am trying to escape the street life and all the problems associated with it.
Yeaah, make it out the street life
Yes, I want to succeed in leaving behind the street life and all its hardships.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ADONIS AMOS-STATON, BRYAN JAMES SLEDGE, DURK D BANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gyroxaver6897
the most powerful song on the tape.
@glockloverblockhugger23
Song almost brought tears to my eyes Rest In Peace to all the fallen street soldiers
@durklowry8769
They forgot his most slept on tape🔥🙏🏼🗣
@shawnwieber2564
It's his best mix tape...I think every track slap. ...
@jonahantonetti829
"Dummy bags for the Ps, you come short. Dope doing 20k, I got a chopper on the porch" never miss wit that bar
@ryanwedderburn2987
"I bin too war nobody's left"💔💯💯
@MrTDOG9011
Realest song on the mixtape hands down
@booniewoo475
Terence Barrow 💯💯
@samueldillon7840
Terence Barrow classic. Durk crashed it.
@clashofriki1889
U