Rick Ross Criticizes Lack of Support for Lil Durk at Rolling Loud California

Rick Ross has taken issue with the lack of public support shown for Lil Durk at the recently concluded Rolling Loud California festival. The annual event, held in Los Angeles this past weekend, featured performances from some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Playboi Carti, A$AP Rocky, YG, Sexyy Red, and Quavo.

On Monday (March 17), Rozay took to his Instagram Stories to call out the artists who graced the Rolling Loud stage, questioning why none of them used the platform to advocate for the currently incarcerated Lil Durk. Without naming specific artists, he posed a direct question to his followers:

“How many n-ggas screamed ‘free Durk’ at that Rolling Loud? How many?” he asked.

After offering some words of advice to young Black men about the importance of pursuing trades like plumbing or construction, the Maybach Music Group mogul doubled down on his critique.

“How many people said ‘free Lil Durk’ at Rolling Loud? Exactly.”

The video quickly gained traction online, with hip-hop media platforms, including DJ Akademiks, sharing Rozay’s comments.

Lil Durk has been in jail since October 2024 following his arrest on murder-for-hire charges related to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, the cousin of his rap rival Quando Rondo. The Chicago rapper was denied bail after authorities alleged that he had repeatedly violated jail rules, including abusing the phone system by making unauthorized three-way calls.

Durk is accused of orchestrating Lul Pab’s murder as retaliation for the death of his close friend and frequent collaborator, King Von. Prosecutors allege that travel expenses for the five individuals involved in the fatal shooting were covered by a credit card linked to Durk’s label, Only The Family (OTF). If convicted, the rapper could face life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty still looming.

His trial was initially scheduled for earlier this year but was postponed due to the complexity of the case. Proceedings are now expected to begin in October, with reports suggesting that at least one co-defendant is considering a plea deal.

Rick Ross’s criticism raises an important conversation about the solidarity, or lack thereof, within the hip-hop community. With Durk facing a life-altering legal battle, Rozay’s remarks suggest that more industry peers should be vocal in their support. However, whether his words will spark a greater movement remains to be seen.