Rapper Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, issued a message to fans Tuesday describing his mental state while he remains in federal custody awaiting trial on a murder-for-hire charge.
Banks shared the statement on social media March 31, 2026, outlining how reading and personal reflection have shaped his mindset during detention. The Chicago artist said he has spent significant time studying political history and revolutionary literature.
“Yeah, I just want to give y’all just an update on my mental — my mind state,” Banks said in the message. “You know I just been reading, getting into these books, working on my patience.”
Banks said his reading includes works connected to several historical political figures and activists, including William Guy Carr, Huey P. Newton, Fred Hampton and Elaine Brown. Newton, Hampton and Brown were prominent members of the Black Panther Party, a political organization known for its advocacy of Black empowerment and community self-determination.
According to Banks, the writings of those figures have encouraged reflection about purpose and public responsibility.
“Just all the revolutionaries who been through something and stand for something that a lot of people don’t know of or forgot about,” he said.
Rapper Lil Durk Provides Update On His Mental Health Ahead Of Murder-For-Hire Trial
Banks also described a desire to influence younger audiences differently than he believes he has in the past.
“It’s just been sitting on my heart lately to just save this generation, to save these kids,” he said. “They don’t deserve it.”
The rapper further acknowledged his previous role in hip-hop culture, stating he hopes to promote more constructive messaging moving forward.
“I’m just tired of being a pawn for the culture,” Banks said. “Just entertaining it and being ignorant. I want to change the world around to being positive.”
Banks also referenced how high-profile artists such as Jay-Z, Drake and Kendrick Lamar have faced criticism during public controversies.
“For these kids, we gotta be their heroes,” Banks said. “They got to look up to us in a positive way.”
He concluded by acknowledging potential skepticism toward his message.
“A lot of people ain’t going to like it,” Banks said. “If you can’t make money off it they don’t like it. So I’m be the first person to do it. The revolutionary.”
