Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday refused to say whether he will return $150,000 Chicago rapper Lil Durk contributed to the mayor’s political committee, a day after the artist was arrested in an alleged murder-for-hire plot.
Johnson suggested he had no immediate intention to give back the money when asked how he would handle the sizable contribution from Durk Devontay Banks, who rose to stardom from Chicago rapping under the name Lil Durk.
“You are asking me if I should make a judgment on a Black man before a full trial has actually come to fruition,” the mayor said at a news conference after touring Collins High School. “I hope you do understand why it is not my position to determine the outcome of someone’s life.”
Banks is a top contributor to Johnson’s political committee.
A company controlled by Banks gave Johnson $150,000 in June 2023 shortly after the rapper met with Johnson twice. The hefty post-election sum is only outdone since Johnson’s election by campaign contributions made by construction trade unions.
Federal authorities arrested Banks, 32, Thursday in Florida. Prosecutors charged him with contracting five associates to murder Georgia rapper Quando Rondo, born Tyquian Terrel Bowman, in retaliation for the 2020 slaying of Chicago rapper King Von, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed in California on Friday.
Also arrested Thursday were five associates of “Only the Family,” also known as OTF, a hip-hop collective founded by Banks, a mentor of King Von.
The charges include conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, committing murder-for-hire involving a death, and use of a machine gun in a violent crime resulting in death. The most serious charge carries up to the death penalty if convicted.
Asked Friday if he feels he should give back the money, Johnson said “I don’t operate in feelings, I operate in truth and justice.”
Banks is among the most successful drill rappers to come out of Chicago since the genre first gained a foothold. Also popularized by Chief Keef, G Herbo and other artists, drill is hallmarked by hyper-violent lyrics that often revolve around — and sometimes worsen — feuds between gang factions.
Banks has tried to shift and soften his public image in recent years. Some of the songs in his last album, published in May 2023, focused on the trauma of gun violence. Banks has also publicly rejected crime and publicized his Muslim faith in social media posts.
“Everybody should get second chances at life,” he wrote in a September post on X, formerly Twitter. “My background wiped and clean of all cases. I ain’t a felon anymore.”
Meanwhile, he has made several appearances with elected officials. Banks appeared alongside former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx at a fundraiser for his youth-oriented Neighborhood Heroes Foundation nonprofit that took place around six months after his alleged crime. Photos also show him sitting next to Foxx at a Chicago Sky basketball game this summer.
Johnson alluded to that new image when asked about the arrest Friday.
“I don’t know all the circumstances around these accusations, but again, what I do know for sure is that here’s another example of a young Black man who grew up in severe trauma that led to life choices that he has been very open and vocal about, healing from those choices,” the mayor said.
“It’s why he has been committed to finding his righteous path, seeking out truth and justice through his faith, while also investing in behavior and mental health support for individuals,” he continued.
Banks was given the “key to the village” in west suburban Broadview by Mayor Katrina Thompson last week.
“Let this key enlighten all of our young people,” Thompson told Banks as she shared the distinction. “We thank you and we honor you.”
The village revoked the honor Friday and announced it would end a partnership with the rapper’s foundation.
“Our public partners must also reflect the same uncompromising standards demanded by our residents,” Thompson wrote in a statement.
Banks also made an appearance on the HBO series “Hard Knocks” earlier this year as the show followed the Chicago Bears’ training camp.
Before the donation made via his company, The Voice Touring, Durk met with Johnson when he was mayor-elect and another time over Zoom the Friday after his inauguration, per social media and mayoral calendars. The first meeting was featured in hip-hop blogs and by podcaster DJ Akademiks in an Instagram post, leading Durk to defend himself against criticism that he was using the opportunity to market his upcoming album.
“I done sat with the mayor and politicians, I’m tryna change the image,” he raps in “All My Life,” a Grammy-winning song released days after the first meeting, ahead of Johnson’s inauguration.
Johnson last August also attended the rapper’s “Financial Literacy Event” with Bank of America and city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s office as well as a “Lil Durk Holiday Event” in December.
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