Jay-Z and J. Cole are throwing their weight behind Lil Durk in a major way.
The Hip-Hop heavyweights have penned personal letters to a federal judge, urging the court to grant the embattled rapper release on bond as he awaits his next trial.
The move sees the pair join the growing list of stars supporting Durk amid his legal troubles. Indeed, Drake and Kanye West were previously reported to be helping fund his legal defense.
Full story below…
Filed on October 27, the letters see Jay-Z and Cole offer personal accounts of Durk’s character, community contributions, and artistry as he fights for freedom ahead of further legal proceedings.
In his letter to Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, described Durk as respectful, disciplined, and committed to his craft.
The Rap mogul also praised the Chicago star for using his success to uplift others from his community.
“What stood out most to me was how he used his success […] he worked to help others find a way out of those conditions rather than leaving them behind.”
Jay-Z further pointed to Durk’s September acquittal in his murder-for-hire trial, arguing that the verdict should carry weight when considering his request for release.
Meanwhile, Cole drew on his experience working with Durk on their GRAMMY-winning collaboration, ‘All My Life.’
The ‘Middle Child’ rapper recalled initially being hesitant to feature on the track, despite its uplifting message.
“It was an extremely positive song, with a very uplifting chorus sung by a group of children. A song about overcoming life’s toughest circumstances and refusing to let them stop you. Although I could tell this was a great song, I was hesitant to be a part of it.”
Durk, born Durk Banks, was found not guilty in his first federal trial in September. However, he remains behind bars as he faces separate racketeering-related charges.
His next trial is scheduled for August 2027, with a crucial bond hearing set for November 4.
That hearing will determine whether the rapper can return home while awaiting the next chapter of his legal battle.
Read Jay-Z’s letter and excerpts from J. Cole’s below.
Jay-Z’s Letter
Dear Judge Fitzgerald:
I write in support of Durk Banks (professionally known as “Lil Durk”) and respectfully ask the Court to grant him pretrial release so that he may be with his family while the remaining charges against him are resolved.
I met Durk several years ago. He was kind, respectful and focused on his career. He approached his work with seriousness and discipline.
He was also genuinely curious about deepening his spirituality, and he spoke about faith as something he wanted to grow in, not something he wore for show.
What stood out most to me was how he used his success. Durk was signing young artist from his community Durk understood that, and he worked to help others find a way out of those conditions rather than leaving them behind.
I also note that Durk recently stood trial in this District, and a jury found him not guilty. That verdict deserves weight.
He remains presumed innocent of the charges still pending, and I respectfully submit that the jury’s verdict, together with that presumption, supports giving him the opportunity to await trial at home under whatever conditions the Court considers appropriate.
I do not minimize the seriousness of the charges Durk faces, and I respect the Court’s obligation to protect the community.
However, Durk has now spent nearly two years in custody with his remaining trial not set to begin until August 2027.
Release would allow him to support his family and continue the work in his community that I saw firsthand.
J. Cole’s Letter (Excerpts)
To the Honorable Judge Fitzgerald,
I hope this letter reaches you in good spirits. My name is Jermaine Cole, professionally, I’m a musician known by my stage name, J. Cole.
With respect to your time, I will keep my back story brief. I’m from Fayetteville, North Carolina and moved to New York City at 18 years old to attend college while also pursuing grand musical ambitions.
Fast forward many years later now and I’m happy to say I have been blessed with an incredibly fruitful career, and as I write you this letter I’m currently on tour in Europe as part of a much larger world tour for my latest album.
I consider myself the “middle child” of hip hop; meaning I’m young enough to look up to so many legendary artists who have come before me and paved the way (Tupac Shakur, Nas, Jay-Z, Outkast, Kanye West and many others), but I also reached an age and status where I would regularly receive high levels of respect and admiration from the younger generation of artists that were beginning to have success after me.
Durk Banks is an artist who is in the hip hop generation that came directly after mine. My little brothers.
I was aware of his art and his success, and we had connected at some point over the years, but it wasn’t until we got to work together that I got to know him on a more substantial level.
The first thing I noticed was his demeanor. Always extremely respectful, and he often would check in randomly on my well being.
One day, he sent a song that he was developing and asked me if I would be willing to be a part of it. The song was called “All My Life.”
It was an extremely positive song, with a very uplifting chorus sung by a group of children. A song about overcoming life’s toughest circumstances and refusing to let them stop you.
Although I could tell this was a great song, I was hesitant to be a part of it.
[…]
I hope this letter has helped give you some more insight into Durk as a person, with a story that I’m sure has been untold before this.
I’m also aware you will be making a decision shortly on his potential release on bond, and I hope that these words will help you arrive confidently at that decision.
Thank you for your time. God bless,
Jermaine Cole.
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