Lil Durk Hits That Changed Rap Forever
Lil Durk's Discography and Achievements
Lil Durk, born Durk Banks on October 19, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois, boasts nine studio albums, over 180 singles, and pioneering status in drill music, with 7220 debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2022 and nearly 20 billion global streams as of 2026. His career trajectory from mixtapes like Signed to the Streets (2013) to his 2025 release Deep Thoughts showcases consistent commercial dominance, including multiple platinum certifications from the RIAA. Key achievements include founding Only the Family (OTF) label and collaborating with artists like Drake and Kanye West, cementing his influence in hip-hop.
Early Career Milestones
Drill music pioneer Lil Durk rose from Englewood, Chicago's South Side, where street life shaped his raw lyricism on survival and loyalty. His debut mixtape I'm Still a Hitta dropped in 2010, but Signed to the Streets in 2013 exploded locally, amassing 500,000 downloads independently before Def Jam signed him in 2013. By 2014, tracks like "Dis Ain't What U Want" featuring French Montana hit 10 million YouTube views, signaling his breakout.
- 2010: I'm Still a Hitta mixtape establishes OTF sound.
- 2013: Signed to the Streets leads to Def Jam deal on October 15.
- 2014: Signed to the Streets 2 peaks at No. 22 on Billboard Heatseekers.
- Founding OTF in 2012 grows to include King Von and Doodie Lo.
Studio Albums Overview
Lil Durk's nine studio albums reflect evolution from gritty drill to melodic trap, with cumulative sales exceeding 15 million units worldwide by 2026. Debut Remember My Name (2015) entered Billboard 200 at No. 14, certified gold, while The Voice (2020) marked his first top-5 entry amid pandemic streams surging 300%. Recent works like Almost Healed (2023) feature therapy-themed hits, debuting at No. 2.
| Album Title | Release Date | Billboard 200 Peak | Certifications | Lead Single |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remember My Name | October 16, 2015 | No. 14 | Gold | "Like Me" |
| Lil Durk 2X | December 9, 2016 | No. 22 | - | "No Auto Tune" |
| Signed to the Streets 3 | November 23, 2018 | No. 23 | - | "1 (773) Freestyle" |
| Love Songs 4 the Streets 2 | December 13, 2019 | No. 4 | Platinum | "All My Life" |
| Just Cause Y'all Waited 2 | May 8, 2020 | No. 5 | Gold | "3 Headed Snake" |
| The Voice | December 24, 2020 | No. 5 | Platinum | "Backdoor Gang" |
| 7220 | March 11, 2022 | No. 1 | 2x Platinum | "A Lot" |
| Almost Healed | May 26, 2023 | No. 2 | Platinum | "All My Life" ft. J. Cole |
| Deep Thoughts | January 17, 2025 | No. 3 | Pending | "Went Hollywood" |
Mixtapes and Compilations
Beyond albums, mixtape series like Signed to the Streets propelled Durk's grassroots fame, with over 12 mixtapes totaling 100 million streams pre-label deals. Compilations under OTF, such as Only the Family in the Building (2018), highlight collective talent and debuted top 50. These projects underscore his role in Chicago's drill ecosystem since 2010.
- 2010: The Voice (early mixtape).
- 2011: I'm a Hitta gains local buzz.
- 2013-2014: Signed to the Streets 1 & 2, foundational drill tapes.
- 2018: OTF compilation Federal Indictment.
- 2021: The Voice 2.0 (Deluxe) extends album lifecycle.
"Signed to the Streets changed the game for Chicago drill-raw energy that majors couldn't ignore," Durk reflected in a 2020 XXL interview on his 2013 breakout.
Chart-Topping Singles
Lil Durk's 187 singles include 96 features, with "Laugh Now Cry Later" (2020) with Drake hitting No. 2 on Hot 100 and 1.5 billion streams. "All My Life" (2023) earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance, peaking at No. 9. Cumulative Hot 100 entries exceed 50, with 20 top-40 hits by 2026.
- "Broadway Girls" ft. Morgan Wallen (2021): No. 14 peak, crossover success.
- "What Happened to Virgil" ft. Gunna (2022): Viral TikTok hit, 500M streams.
- "Home Body" ft. Gunna (2023): No. 37, introspective vibe.
- Features: On Drake's "Toosie Slide" remix, boosting visibility.
Awards and Accolades
Durk's achievements span BET Hip Hop Awards (Best Chicago Act, 2019-2022) and Billboard Music Awards, with 7220 winning Top Rap Album in 2023. Nominated for three Grammys, including Best Rap Album for Almost Healed, he holds records for most No. 1s on Hot Rap Songs by a Chicago artist. Philanthropy via Neighborhood Heroes Foundation donated $1 million to Chicago youth since 2020.
| Year | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | BET Hip Hop | Best Impact Track | Won |
| 2021 | Billboard Music | Top Rap Male Artist | Nominated |
| 2022 | Grammy | Best Melodic Rap | Nominated |
| 2023 | MTV VMA | Best Hip-Hop | Won |
| 2024 | American Music | Favorite Rap Album | Won |
Collaborations and Features
Strategic high-profile collabs elevated Durk globally, like Kanye West's Donda (2021) and Drake's Certified Lover Boy, where features added 500 million streams each. OTF family ties with late King Von birthed hits like "Crazy Story," topping charts posthumously. His 2025 feature on Travis Scott's album pushed boundaries further.
Commercial Stats Breakdown
By May 2026, Durk's catalog generates $50 million annually via Spotify (15M monthly listeners) and Apple Music. 7220 sold 150,000 first-week units, his biggest, amid 2x platinum status. Total RIAA certifications: 40+ million units, rivaling peers like Polo G.
Durk's discography endures, blending street authenticity with mainstream appeal, proving drill's lasting power in hip-hop's evolution.
Key concerns and solutions for Lil Durk Discography And Achievements
What Defines Lil Durk's Sound?
Melodic drill fusion blends auto-tune hooks with street narratives, evolving from 2013 aggression to 2023 vulnerability on Almost Healed. Producers like Murda Beatz and AXL Beats craft his signature 808s and hi-hats, influencing a generation.
What's Next for Lil Durk?
Post-Deep Thoughts (Jan 17, 2025, 200K first-week sales), Durk teases OTF Vol. 2 compilation and world tour hitting 50 cities. Legal hurdles cleared, focus shifts to legacy-building.
Has Lil Durk Won a Grammy?
No, Lil Durk has not won a Grammy as of 2026, but earned three nominations: Best Melodic Rap Performance (2022, 2024) and Best Rap Album (2024).
Who Signed Lil Durk First?
Def Jam Recordings signed Lil Durk first on October 15, 2013, after mixtape buzz, releasing Remember My Name in 2015.
Best Lil Durk Album?
7220 (2022) is widely considered Lil Durk's best album, his first No. 1 with hits like "A Lot" and critical acclaim for emotional depth.
How Many No. 1 Albums Does He Have?
Lil Durk has one No. 1 Billboard 200 album: 7220 in 2022, though three others hit top 5.