DJ Akademiks Alleges Drake Dropped $1 Million and Kanye Added $250K to Lil Durk's Legal Defense

Hip-hop media personality DJ Akademiks has alleged that Drake, Ye and other high-profile rappers are helping fund Lil Durk's legal defence as the Chicago rapper faces trial in a federal murder-for-hire case in Los Angeles.

During a livestream on Sunday (Aug. 30), Akademiks claimed that Ye contributed $250,000 (£184,000) to Durk's defence, while Drake contributed about $1 million (£738,000) toward the legal fees of attorney Brian Steel.

Akademiks also alleged that 21 Savage contributed an unspecified amount and that Lil Baby had been sending payments ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 (£3,600 to £7,300) at a time.

The claims have not been independently verified. Multiple reports have repeated Akademiks' allegations, but there has been no public confirmation from the artists or Durk's legal team establishing the amounts or payment arrangements.

The claims surfaced as Durk's federal trial entered another week of testimony. Prosecutors allege that the rapper orchestrated a 2022 revenge attack targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von. The Aug. 19, 2022, shooting at a Los Angeles-area gas station instead killed Rondo's cousin, Saviay'a 'Lul Pab' Robinson.

Who Is Backing Lil Durk's Legal Team?

Akademiks said Ye had given Durk $250,000, while Drake had contributed about $1 million toward Brian Steel's legal fees. Steel filed an application on March 6, 2026, to join Durk's defence team pro hac vice, seeking to replace attorney Jonathan M. Brayman.

Steel is part of a high-profile defence team that also includes Drew Findling, who has represented clients including Cardi B, Gucci Mane and Donald Trump.

Drake also has a connection to Steel through the 2025 song 'Brian Steel,' which appears on Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.

Akademiks further claimed that 21 Savage had contributed an unspecified amount and that Lil Baby had been sending payments of between $5,000 and $10,000 at a time.

Those claims, like the reported Drake and Ye contributions, have not been independently verified.

Young Thug previously said on X in September 2025 that he was the person who sent Brian Steel to assist Durk 'on my dime.' Steel subsequently filed to join Durk's defence team in March 2026. Young Thug's statement did not disclose the amount he allegedly paid.

What Are the Charges Against Lil Durk?

Durk, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, faces trial before US District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald in Los Angeles alongside two co-defendants. Banks has pleaded not guilty to five charges in the current federal trial, including murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death and stalking resulting in death.

Prosecutors allege that Banks placed a bounty on Quando Rondo as retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von, a close friend and labelmate signed to Banks' Only the Family (OTF) imprint.

The indictment alleges that Banks would place bounties or monetary rewards on individuals he and OTF members wanted killed.

The prosecution's case relies on testimony from cooperating witnesses, including Kacey 'OTF Jam' Hester, a former OTF member who admitted to being one of three gunmen in the 2022 shooting.

Hester testified that Banks ordered the alleged hit, while the defence has questioned Hester's credibility, pointing to his cooperation agreement and potential sentencing benefits.

Co-defendants Deandre 'OTF DeDe' Wilson and David 'Browneyez' Lindsey are being tried alongside Banks, both denying the charges against them. If convicted, Banks faces life in federal prison.

A Defence Built on Art, Grief and Denial

The defence has pushed back hard, framing Durk as a 'grief-stricken' artist whose music and videos are expressions of pain rather than evidence of criminal intent. During cross-examination, Steel challenged Hester's credibility, pointing to inconsistencies in his testimony and the financial incentives tied to his cooperation deal.

In opening statements, prosecutors described a meticulously planned operation, alleging that Durk used his American Express card to pay for flights, hotels and other logistics tied to the hit.

The defence has argued that Kavon 'OTF Vonnie' Grant, a former personal assistant who has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with authorities, organized the shooting independently and that Banks had no role in the plot.

In opening arguments, Durk's defence argued that there was no evidence he paid anyone for the shooting, saying, 'This is a murder-for-hire allegation where nobody gets paid.' Whether jurors believe that line or the surveillance footage, text messages and social media evidence presented to jurors during the first week will be for the jury to decide.

The jury will ultimately determine whether prosecutors have proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Nothing is confirmed yet regarding the exact funding sources for Durk's defence, so everything should be taken with a grain of salt.