Lil Durk Heads to Trial as His Father Calls for Prayer: “We Will Be Victorious”

Written by: Greg Lewis

Published on August 20, 2026, 2:10p.m. EST

The stakes couldn’t be much higher for Lil Durk.

Lil Durk

After nearly two years in federal custody, Chicago rap superstar Lil Durk is heading into one of the biggest battles of his life as jury selection begins in his highly publicized federal murder-for-hire case.

But before the courtroom battle gets fully underway, Durk’s father, Dontay Banks Sr., also known as Big Durk, is leaning heavily on faith — and asking supporters to do the same.

According to HotNewHipHop, Banks recently shared a message on social media asking family, friends and fans to continue praying for his son and those standing trial alongside him.

“Continue to keep us in prayer,” Banks said, while expressing confidence that the family will ultimately be “victorious in the end.”

Banks also indicated that the trial could last approximately three to four weeks and encouraged supporters to continue making Dua — an Islamic prayer or supplication — throughout the proceedings.

The emotional message arrives as Durk faces serious federal charges connected to an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo.

Prosecutors allege the 2022 Los Angeles shooting was intended to kill Quando Rondo but instead resulted in the death of his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, better known as Lul Pab. Durk has pleaded not guilty.

According to HotNewHipHop, the government’s case is expected to involve several forms of evidence connected to the rapper, including text messages, social media activity, interviews and music-related material.

Reports surrounding the case have already drawn significant attention to what prosecutors will — and will not — be permitted to present before jurors. (HotNewHipHop⁠)

One reported message allegedly involved Durk rejecting an attempt at peace, while another allegedly referenced having Quando Rondo’s location in the weeks following the November 2020 death of King Von.

Those allegations remain part of the prosecution’s case and have not been proven in court. (HotNewHipHop⁠)

Durk and his defense team, meanwhile, have maintained confidence as the case moves forward.

For an artist whose career has taken him from Chicago’s drill scene to Grammy-winning mainstream success, the next several weeks could become some of the most consequential of his life.

And as all eyes turn toward the courtroom, Big Durk’s message is simple: keep praying.