One of Lil Durk’s former onstage collaborators turned up in federal court as jurors began hearing the government’s murder-for-hire case against the Chicago rapper. Machine Gun Kelly attended proceedings in downtown Los Angeles on Monday and watched from an overflow room, according to TMZ. The outlet described his appearance as unexpected and did not report whether Durk knew he planned to attend.
The courthouse sighting was not entirely without precedent between the two artists. MGK joined Durk during an October 2023 Amazon Music Live performance in Los Angeles, playing guitar while Durk performed “The Voice.” We covered the appearance at the time, which came during a set that also featured Durk revisiting material associated with King Von.
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The Case Against Lil Durk Begins
MGK’s visit also coincided with a major day in Durk’s case. Opening statements began Monday after a jury was selected last week. Prosecutors told jurors that Durk helped set a plan in motion to kill Quando Rondo in retaliation for King Von’s 2020 death. Durk’s defense denied that he had any involvement and argued that the government’s case relies heavily on co-defendant Kavon “Cuz” Grant, who pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors allege members and associates of Only The Family traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles in August 2022 to target Quando. Gunmen opened fire on his vehicle near the Beverly Center, killing his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. Quando survived. Authorities accuse Durk of financing the alleged plot, an accusation he has denied.
The trial is expected to last several weeks. Durk has pleaded not guilty and faces life in federal prison if convicted on the most serious counts. MGK has not yet publicly explained why he attended Monday’s proceedings.
