Social media footage circulating this week shows Dontay “Big Durk” Banks — the father of Chicago rapper Lil Durk — speaking passionately at a Minnesota mosque as part of a local effort to calm tensions among young people.
In videos posted to Instagram and YouTube, Banks — who also goes by the name Abdul Haqq — can be seen addressing a crowded room, urging attendees to turn away from violence and choose a path of peace and faith. The meeting, described in captions as a youth mediation and reconciliation session, drew attention across hip-hop circles and faith communities alike.
During his remarks, Banks drew on his own experience with incarceration and transformation through Islam, telling listeners:
“Ain’t no one in here saying I got enough blessings under my belt, that I got enough under my things that I’m ready to stand before the law. Again, let’s look at the flip side of this. Who did you know that ever came back from the grave and said, hey, hurry up and get down here? … I’ve been 26 years up in there and I’m telling you it’s not happening in there. There’s no fun whatsoever.”
He continued, warning against cycles of street retaliation:
“Take it from someone who has seen it. Take it from someone who has been shot up. Take it from someone who has been to the high level of Islam. That’s all I used to do — ride around looking for opposition. So I’m telling you from experience… But then, in prison, I felt His love.”
Clips shared online also appear to feature a brief phone call from a speaker identified as Lil Durk, reportedly offering words of encouragement to those in attendance. The younger Banks, currently incarcerated, has drawn media attention in recent months amid reports that he has embraced Islam and encouraged conversions among fellow inmates — sparking widespread conversations about faith, influence, and responsibility within hip-hop culture.
Reaction to Big Durk’s appearance has been mixed. Many social media users praised the event as a powerful example of community leadership rooted in faith, while others expressed skepticism about whether a single visit can shift entrenched neighborhood conflicts.
“So many people need to hear this,” wrote one commenter on Instagram. “Real change starts with these kinds of conversations.” Others on Reddit questioned the depth of the effort, noting the absence of formal partnerships with local organizations or law enforcement.
As of now, no official statement has been released by mosque officials or local leaders, and the broader context — including which specific neighborhood groups were represented and whether the meeting led to any formal agreement — remains unclear.
Still, the footage underscores a growing trend: prominent figures connected to hip-hop and street communities increasingly using their platforms to advocate for peace through faith.
Whether Big Durk’s visit will translate into lasting impact on the ground remains to be seen, but his message — rooted in experience, faith, and a plea for change — has clearly resonated across digital platforms.
“Take it from someone who’s been there,” Banks told the crowd. “There’s only two ways this can go. Let’s not rush toward the grave or the prison door.”
