Lil Durk faces a federal murder-for-hire trial that kicks off with opening statements Monday in Los Angeles, and jury selection just wrapped up with a 16-person panel that spent two days getting grilled about their attitudes toward rap music.

The Grammy-winning rapper is accused of orchestrating a bounty on fellow artist Quando Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 death of King Von, an OTF member who was killed at an Atlanta nightclub.

Prosecutors say the plot resulted in a botched ambush near the Beverly Center shopping mall in August 2022 that left Quando Rondo’s cousin Lul Pab dead instead of the intended target.

During jury selection, potential jurors were asked directly about their feelings toward gangsta rap and whether the genre could influence their ability to remain impartial.

One woman said the music suggests violence to her, while another admitted rap had negative connotations in her mind.

The defense pushed back by asking if jurors would judge music that wasn’t mainstream pop, and one potential juror requested subtitles to understand the lyrics.

According to KESQ, the judge ultimately selected a final panel that’ll hear the case over the next three weeks or longer.

The prosecution plans to use Lil Durk’s music as evidence, including his 2021 “Pissed Me Off” music video, which prosecutors argue illustrates his desire to avenge King Von’s death.

The indictment alleges that five members of his crew traveled from Chicago to LA with the specific intention of killing Bowman, and that at least 18 rounds were fired at his vehicle during the gas station shooting.

Lil Durk pleaded not guilty to charges including murder in aid of stalking resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and firearms violations.

If convicted on all counts, the rapper faces a mandatory life sentence in federal prison.

The defense has already lost several pretrial battles, including an April 2025 motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that prosecutors presented false evidence to the grand jury.

U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald has largely sided with prosecutors on evidentiary issues, rejecting defense motions to suppress or exclude government evidence throughout pretrial hearings.

Lil Durk was arrested in October 2024 near Miami International Airport as he attempted to flee the country, according to the FBI.

Opening statements begin Monday morning in downtown Los Angeles federal court.