Chicago rapper Lil Durk pleads not guilty to murder-for-hire charges, officials say

LOS ANGELES (WLS) -- Chicago rapper Lil Durk pleaded not guilty to murder-for-hire charges Thursday.

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The rapper, whose real name is Durk Banks, was appeared in federal court in Los Angeles for his arraignment, where he made a not guilty plea.

Prosecutors say the rapper paid five people to kill Quando Rondo at a Los Angeles gas station in 2022. Rondo wasn't killed, but his cousin was.

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Banks was arrested in Miami three weeks ago as he was allegedly trying to leave the country.

Lil Durk's trail has been set for January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles.

There will be addition pre-trial hearings in November and December, officials said.