Lil Durk is an American rapper and a pioneer of the drill wave that took the music world by storm in the 2010s.
His drill beats are generally slow and heavily characterized by distorted 808 basslines, dark synths, and trap-style hi-hats to create an ominous atmosphere.
Looking for a Lil Durk type beat to recreate his signature sound?
SOUNDRAW lets you experiment with various music elements to make your own custom royalty-free beat in minutes.
Let's dive in and see how!
Lil Durk: History, Background & Top Hits
Source: Billboard
Lil Durk (real name Durk Derrick Banks) is a rapper, singer, and songwriter born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois.
He started rapping at a young age and quickly built an online fan base on YouTube and Myspace. After garnering a following with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series, he signed with Def Jam Recordings. In 2015, Lil Durk dropped his debut studio album, Remember My Name, which peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200. He released a follow-up album, Lil Durk 2X, in 2016 before parting ways with Def Jam in 2018, and just released a snippet of what could be his next big hit.
In March 2018, Lil Durk independently released the Just Cause Y'all Waited mixtape and then signed a deal with Alamo Records a few months later. It was not until 2020 that he made his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as a lead artist with the single Viral Moment.
Lil Durk had numerous singles that charted throughout 2020: 3 Headed Goat (featuring Polo G and Lil Baby), Backdoor, The Voice, and a guest feature on Drake's Laugh Now Cry Later.
His sixth album, The Voice, was released in 2020 and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. In 2021, Lil Durk released a collaborative album with Lil Baby, The Voice of the Heroes, his first #1 on the chart. His second #1 album came the following year with his seventh studio album, 7220.
In 2023, Lil Durk dropped his eighth album, Almost Healed, which peaked at #3. The album was led by the commercially successful hit single "All My Life" (featuring J. Cole), which peaked at number two on the Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Lil Durk is the founder of Only the Family (OTF), a Chicago-based collective and record label. He is regarded as a pioneering artist in the drill wave that rocked the music industry. Some of his top songs include All My Life (featuring J. Cole), AHHH HA, What Happened To Virgil?, Broadway Girls, Pelle Coat, and Petty Too.
How Does a Lil Durk Type Beat Sound?
Lil Durk is considered a pioneer of drill music.
His drill beats are typically slow and heavy. They are characterized by distorted 808 basslines, dark synths, and trap-style hi-hats to create an ominous atmosphere that reflects the genreâÃÂÃÂs themes of aggression.
The tempo is relatively slow, ranging from 140 to 150 BPM, which allows for intricate drum patterns and the genre's atmospheric feel.
To get the melody going, set down an 808 bassline in the chosen key. Also, use lead synths or pianos and experiment with minor scales for unconventional progressions.
Creating Lil Durk Type Beat Using SOUNDRAW
Want to make a Lil Durk Type Beat and replicate the rapperâÃÂÃÂs signature style?
With SOUNDRAW, our AI music technology lets you experiment with tempo, mood, drum patterns, melodies, and other music elements to create unique, royalty-free beats that fit your desired style.
Here's a step-by-step process to make a Lil Durk type beat:
- First, create a SOUNDRAW account. Go to the SOUNDRAW website and sign up for an account with your email and set a password.
- After signing up, log into your account and go to the Create Music section.
- Select a length, tempo, and genre (Drill) for the track.
- Next, select an appropriate mood depending on how you want the beat to sound.
- Choose a Theme for the beat.
- After selecting all the necessary options, SOUNDRAW will generate a unique beat tailored to your style. You can further customize the beat by adjusting the musical instruments, tempo, and other elements.
If you are satisfiied with the beat, you can save the track on your SOUNDRAW account for future adjustments, share it with others, or download the final version.
Try Making Your Own Lil Durk Type Beat
SOUNDRAW offers a pretty easy way to create beats that fit your desired music style.
Thanks to our AI music tool, you can experiment with different music elements and create studio-quality beats in minutes. No need to pay for expensive studio equipment or hire a professional producer.
And the best part? Every beat you create is royalty-free and fit for commercial use without copyright concerns.
Ready to make your own Lil Durk Type Beat?