Lil Durk lifetime

t city — a warzone. Without having to visit, one need only listen to local Drill rappers like Lil Durk a

hicago’s deterioration. Hip-hop has and always will receive scrutiny for perpetuating violence, misogyny, and all that’s rotten, but what are we all,

true you got shooters hangin’ out the roof?/I’m just trynna to do what I spit in the booth,” Durk begins over Cardo’s gutter bass and submerged synths on “Ready For ‘Em.” Right away, he acknowledges his music as a reflection of what goes on around him, which

eating?” Durk asks. You need to back up your talk or else Durk won’t take you seriously; his environment requi

r dead or in jail. Referencing one’s friends and loved ones in songs isn’t unique, but nonetheless the frequent mentions to the people in his life immerses us

nd “eat with who you sleep with.” The best line in the song, “Murder rates so high cause of the body count,” is an obvious statement, but powerful because of its naivete. He simplifies the whole situation that we on the outside find so disturbing and incomprehensibl

tent becomes tiresome. The phrase “shooter’s on deck” feels like it makes an appearance a dozen times, for example. Granted, he does throw in two more celebratory songs (“Party,” backed by a solid beat from Young

d of his flow and the beats beneath it, whether he’s straight rapping or crooning melodiously with some vocal support. While his subject matter tips towards the more brut