Lil Durk and Virgil: A Tale of Two Falling Hip Hop Artists

As one of the biggest names in the Chicago hip hop scene, Lil Durk – real name Durk Derrick Banks – has been part of the rap game since 2009 when he released his first mixtape. His star has continued to rise in the decade since. He’s released five full-length projects, collaborated with many of the biggest names in hip hop, and played major festivals as well as heading up several tours. However, it looks as though Lil Durk’s fortunes are on the decline.

What Caused Lil Durk’s Fall From Grace?

Lil Durk’s story is a cautionary tale of the highs and lows of hip hop stardom. The rapper enjoyed a five-year run of unprecedented success which saw him become one of the biggest names in Chicago hip hop and collaborate with some of the genre’s biggest stars. However, his star seems to be on the decline.

The most likely explanation for Lil Durk’s fall surrounds the release of his fifth studio album, Love Songs 4 the Streets 2. Released in 2018, the album saw the rapper pivot from the drill music he’d become synonymous with and incorporate more R&B influences. While it was met with a modicum of success, it was roundly panned by hip hop fans, souring the rapper’s reputation and making it difficult for him to make a comeback.

What Happened to Lil Durk’s Long-Time Collaborator, Virgil?

One of Lil Durk’s long-time collaborators is Virgil Abloh, the American DJ, fashion designer, and music producer. The two first worked together on Durk’s 2017 single, “Two Smartphones”, and subsequently released a joint EP in 2018 titled You & I.

Unfortunately, Virgil’s career trajectory seems to be running in the same direction as Lil Durk’s. After the success of his first collaboration with Durk, the Chicago-born hip hop producer opened his own label in 2018, Music Factory Recordings, which saw some initial success with the release of the single “Two Smartphones”.

Since then Virgil has released a few more singles, but none have gained the traction of his first collaboration. It’s likely that his lack of recognition, as well as Lil Durk’s fall from grace, have contributed to this decline in success.

Conclusion

The stories of Lil Durk and Virgil Abloh, two of Chicagohip hop’s biggest stars, are a cautionary tale of the highs and lows of stardom. Both were able to make names for themselves thanks to their collaborations with some of the genre’s biggest stars, but have since seen their careers stagnate due to diminishing returns and a lack of recognition. It remains to be seen if either of them will be able to make a comeback, but it’s clear that their stories serve as a reminder of the fragile nature of success in the sometimes fickle hip hop world.