NEWS
Lil Durk has been accused of threatening witnesses ahead of his murder-for-hire trial later this year.
The Chicago drill star was attempting to dismiss the case against him as he stands accused of being behind the murder of Quando Rondo’s cousin in 2022.
Prosecutors have claimed that Durk has threatened witnesses during his incarceration in a reply to the rapper’s bid to dismiss the case.
“[Lil Durk] is not on trial for his lyrics or his music; he is on trial because he directed, orchestrated, and financed the brazen murder plot at issue in this case,” U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli said.
Durk and his attorneys had argued that the case against him should be dismissed because prosecutors included lyrics as evidence against him even the song in question was recorded months before the attack on Rondo which killed his cousin.
A key part of the prosecution’s case and in obtaining the rapper’s arrest in the first place was Durk’s lyrics, specifically from the song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy”.
A judge later ruled that Durk’s lyrics could not be used as evidence during his upcoming trial.
Durk’s family had previously called out the government over their plans to use his lyrics against him during the trial.
In a statement on Instagram, the drill star’s family hit out at the actions of the prosecution.
They said: “The recent developments in Durk’s legal case have brought a harsh truth to light: the government presented false evidence to a grand jury to indict him. This isn’t justice. That’s a violation of the very system that’s supposed to protect all of us.”
The statement continues: “Durk has always used music to tell stories, to express pain to heal—and yet those same lyrics are now being used against him. We refuse to stay silent as Black artists continue to be criminalized for their creativity. Rap is art.”
The family also called on fans to show support for Durk while he remains behind bars ahead of his trial later this year: “As a family, we are asking the public, the fans, and the culture to stand with us. Stand for truth. Stand for fairness. Stand for The Voice.”
Durk currently remains held in custody ahead of yet another bond hearing next month.
NEWS
Burna Boy gave fans an exclusive look inside one of the most important performances of his career, with Billboard there to capture the entire experience.
For a new Billboard video diary, the versatile musician walks viewers through his full routine as he got ready for the first FIFA World Cup Final halftime show on Sunday. The footage begins with his police escorted arrival and continues through the excitement of walking onto the field at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. It offers an honest look at everything that happened before and after the major performance.
Throughout the day, Burna enjoys several unforgettable encounters. He takes pictures with Shakira, his collaborator on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” The pair performed the track during Sunday’s halftime show, while it remains at the top of the Billboard Global 200 for a second week and leads the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for a fourth week. Burna also catches up with streamer iShowSpeed, shares a hug with Justin Bieber and meets Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, who surprised the audience by introducing Bieber. Once the greetings are over, Burna fits in one last rehearsal before heading out to perform.
The footage continues as Burna walks onto the field and joins the celebration. He looks thrilled when the set concludes, making his way through the players’ tunnel and returning backstage. There, he receives compliments from Chris Martin, who organized the halftime show and helped write the finale song “We Dance” alongside his Coldplay bandmates.
Watch Burna Boy’s complete Day in the Life video through Billboard below.
