Judge Rules Lil Durk’s “Pissed Me Off” Music Video Allowed as Evidence in Federal Murder-for-Hire Trial

With jury selection for Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial set to begin on August 20, prosecutors have secured a significant evidentiary win. U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald ruled that prosecutors can present both the music video and lyrics for Durk’s 2021 hit single, “Pissed Me Off,” to the jury during the trial.

Prosecutors Point to Lyrics as Proof of Motive

Federal authorities contend that the song, released in October 2021, demonstrates Durk’s intent and willingness to financially back retaliation for the November 2020 death of his close friend and Only The Family (OTF) labelmate, Dayvon “King Von” Bennett.

King Von was killed in Atlanta following an altercation with associates of rapper Quando Rondo. Prosecutors allege that Durk (born Durk Banks) orchestrated and funded a retaliatory hit on Quando Rondo in Los Angeles in August 2022. While Rondo survived the attempt, his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was fatally shot.

To establish motive and financial intent, prosecutors highlighted key lines from “Pissed Me Off”:

“Grab a gun if you ain’t with it, put up money for a gun / Put up money for a hot car, put up money for a bond / I don’t see you on the regular, but I see you screamin’, ‘Von.'”

Additionally, prosecutors plan to call a cooperating witness who was allegedly present on set during the filming of the “Pissed Me Off” music video to explain the lyrics and context to the court.

Defense Argues Context and Risk of Confusion

Durk’s defense team, led by attorney Marissa Goldberg, strongly pushed back against admitting the song. Goldberg argued that introducing the video presents a severe risk of prejudice and confusion for the jury.

The defense emphasized that:

• The song addresses multiple personal losses: The opening line of “Pissed Me Off” begins with “Long live DThang,” referencing Durk’s older brother, Dontay Banks Jr., who was killed in June 2021.
• Potential overlap with severed charges: Judge Fitzgerald previously severed separate racketeering charges related to a 2022 Chicago killing linked to DThang’s death. The defense cautioned that introducing a song largely inspired by his brother’s murder risks reintroducing issues the court had already set aside for a future trial.

Despite these arguments, Judge Fitzgerald granted the government’s request to use the song and video.

Other Rap Lyrics Rulings in the Case

This decision is part of an ongoing legal debate surrounding the use of rap lyrics in courtrooms:

• Excluded: Judge Fitzgerald previously barred prosecutors from using lyrics from Durk’s track “Hanging With Wolves”. Feds claimed the line “I’m the type to hop on a flight with a warrant, you gotta catch me” showed intent to flee during his arrest, but the judge ruled it was inadmissible propensity evidence.
• Admitted: Lyrics from Pooh Shiesty’s track “Who Want Smoke??” (featuring Durk)—where he raps “They be on my page like ‘Slide for Von’… Got it back in blood”—were previously ruled admissible.

What’s Next?

Lil Durk, who was arrested in October 2024, has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jury selection begins on August 20, with opening arguments expected shortly after as one of the year’s most high-profile hip-hop legal battles gets underway.