Lil Durk Trial: Engineer Admits Songs Described Revenge

Federal prosecutors rested their case against Lil Durk Thursday morning.

Hours later, one of the rapper’s own witnesses supplied potentially damaging testimony about revenge, murder and threats against Quando Rondo.

Justin Gibson, Lil Durk’s recording engineer, initially gave the defense a firsthand challenge to the government’s account of August 18 and August 19, 2022.

Gibson said he traveled from Miami to Los Angeles with Durk Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, and Kavon “OTF Vonni” Grant.

OTF Vonni previously testified that Lil Durk disclosed Quando Rondo’s location during the private flight and instructed him to organize an attack.

Gibson remembered no such conversation, despite describing the plane as relatively small.

He also heard no discussion about locating Tyquian “Quando Rondo” Bowman, planning a murder or coordinating the logistics for an attack.

Gibson accompanied both men from the airport and lived inside Lil Durk’s rented Encino residence during the period surrounding the shooting.

Nothing appeared unusual on either day, he testified. Gibson also denied hearing OTF Vonni give Lil Durk updates about a potential murder.

That account offered an eyewitness counterweight to OTF Vonni’s testimony, which linked Lil Durk to two alleged attempts on Quando Rondo.

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Morse turned Gibson’s cross-examination toward music the engineer helped create.

Gibson acknowledged that drill music traditionally discusses shootings, enemies and street violence. He also agreed rappers sometimes communicate threats through subliminal references.

“Mr. Banks made threats against Mr. Quando Rondo in a subliminal fashion, didn’t he?” Morse asked.

“Yes,” Gibson answered.

Prosecutors played portions of “Still Runnin,” Lil Durk’s collaboration with Meek Mill and Lil Baby.

Gibson testified that “spinnin” could mean committing a shooting. He also agreed a passage about acting “for Von” referred to “sliding for Von.”

The engineer initially cautioned that subliminal lyrics do not directly identify their subjects.

Morse then raised a reference warning that a Rolls-Royce “better be bulletproof.” Quando Rondo had discussed Dayvon “King Von” Bennett’s killing while sitting inside a Rolls-Royce.

Gibson said the lyric could possibly concern Quando Rondo, but he resisted describing that interpretation as certain.

The government received more direct answers during its examination of “Ahhh Ha,” which Gibson helped record.

Gibson agreed Lil Durk created the song partly in response to “Slide for Von,” an online campaign pressuring him to retaliate after King Von’s death.

Morse interpreted “Fuck tweeting, we sliding” as taking action instead of posting online. Gibson agreed.

The song then referenced federal authorities coming.

“Because he’s talking about committing a murder, right?” Morse asked.

“Yes,” Gibson replied.

The cross-examination continued with “Pissed Me Off,” another song Gibson recorded, engineered and mixed.

Morse asked him to interpret a statement about being unable to feel happy until people “creep up on the score.”

“That means he won’t be happy until something is done about retribution, like revenge,” Gibson testified.

Morse described the score as “a body for a body.” Gibson answered, “Sure,” before agreeing the phrase concerned revenge.

Gibson also agreed that the song criticized people who posted about King Von rather than taking action. He acknowledged Lil Durk appeared to suggest others should be “sliding for Von.”

Those concessions give prosecutors a response to the defense’s argument that the recordings only reflect a profitable character or exaggerated creative expression.

Gibson participated in creating the songs, spent extensive time beside Lil Durk and remained employed by the rapper when he testified.

However, Gibson emphasized that he did not write Lil Durk’s lyrics. He often focused on capturing and mixing vocals rather than interpreting their meaning.

The government then played a private voice message in which Lil Durk allegedly said, “Your homie, Quando, can die.”

Gibson recognized Lil Durk’s voice but said the message was not sent to him. He also testified that the rapper never made that statement in his presence.

Defense attorney Marissa Goldberg distinguished Gibson’s knowledge of real events from the government’s interpretations of music.

Gibson confirmed he traveled with Lil Durk, lived with him and heard no discussions about killing Quando Rondo during the critical period.

Morse returned with one final distinction.

“You just heard a voice note where Mr. Banks said ‘Quando can die,’ correct?” Morse asked.

“Yes,” Gibson replied.

“Was that music?”

“No.”

Goldberg immediately established that the recording concerned a proposed celebrity boxing match. Gibson agreed, giving jurors a noncriminal context for the statement.

Nevertheless, prosecutors can argue that Gibson weakened the effort to completely separate Lil Durk’s musical statements from the government’s alleged motive.

The federal case centers on an August 19, 2022, ambush near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

Prosecutors claim Lil Durk offered money to have Quando Rondo killed in retaliation for King Von’s November 2020 death.

Members of the alleged operation purportedly used flights, electronic communications, hotel rooms and two vehicles to track Quando Rondo across Los Angeles.

Quando Rondo survived the gas-station shooting. His cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, suffered fatal injuries.

Lil Durk, Deandre “DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey are fighting five charges outlined in the proposed jury instructions.

The counts cover a stalking conspiracy, stalking Quando Rondo with a dangerous weapon and stalking Lul Pab, resulting in death.

The remaining charges allege a murder-for-hire conspiracy and using interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire, both resulting in Lul Pab’s death.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty. They could face life imprisonment if convicted.

The prosecution formally rested Thursday morning after introducing its final exhibits and testimony about Lil Durk’s 2024 arrest in Florida.

All three defendants rested by Thursday afternoon. U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald said witness testimony had concluded, although limited evidentiary matters remained unresolved.

Jury instructions and closing arguments are expected Tuesday before deliberations begin.