Lil Durk might be locked up, but according to his father, his influence is reaching far beyond the cellblock.
On a recent episode of The Breakfast Club, Dontay Banks claimed that the rapper (born Durk Davontay Banks) has converted 13 of his fellow inmates to Islam during his time in federal custody. “When he got there, it was four Muslims on the deck. Now it’s 17,” his father told the hosts, pointing directly to Durk’s influence.
Durk, who’s currently awaiting trial over charges connected to an alleged 2022 murder-for-hire plot, appears to be using the forced downtime as a space for deep reflection. Banks revealed that their recent father-son conversations have been about marriage, personal responsibility, and how faith is reshaping the rapper’s worldview. Banks even hinted that Durk is rethinking the content of his music—a notable development for an artist whose lyrical signature has long revolved around vivid portrayals of street life and its consequences.
The connection between Islam and transformative prison experiences isn’t new. Historically, Islam has provided Black men with a powerful framework for identity, community, and reclamation of self in the face of systemic marginalization—think Malcolm X, and more recently, rappers like Kevin Gates. Durk’s reported influence adds to this narrative, showing how faith can reshape both personal and artistic identities even within restrictive environments.
Whether this spiritual pivot will stick or influence Durk’s music long-term is yet to be seen. But considering how deeply tied Durk’s music is to his personal experiences, fans might soon see a different kind of storytelling.
It’s believed that the rapper was first introduced to Islam while in jail himself in 2018. In his song, I Know, he said “I went to jail and met Muslims, reason I don’t eat swine.”
Meanwhile, it’s not the first time Durk influences someone to embrace the Islamic faith. In May 2023, the rapper’s religious belief influenced one of his fans, who took to Instagram to announce his conversion to Islam.
