Executive Summary
- A court has authorized the wrongful death lawsuit filed by FBG Duck’s mother to proceed.
- The suit names Lil Durk, King Von’s estate, and record labels as defendants.
- Plaintiffs allege the defendants monetized violence and "reality rap" to profit from the killing.
- Lil Durk is currently awaiting a separate federal trial for murder-for-hire charges.
A court has ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of late rapper FBG Duck against Lil Durk, several record labels, and other entities may proceed, allowing the plaintiffs to present their case regarding the 2020 fatal shooting. LaSheena Weekly, the mother of FBG Duck, publicly confirmed the ruling, stating that the litigation against the defendants will move forward to trial.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2024, implicates Lil Durk and the estate of deceased rapper King Von in the death of FBG Duck, whose legal name was Carlton Weekly. He was shot 16 times and killed in August 2020 outside a Dolce & Gabbana store in downtown Chicago. In addition to the musical artists, the civil complaint names a wide array of defendants, including the City of Chicago, the fashion retailer Dolce & Gabbana, private security firms, and six alleged members of the "O Block" faction.
According to the court filings, the plaintiffs allege that Lil Durk and the record labels were aware that King Von harbored a vendetta against FBG Duck. The suit claims the defendants "consistently sought to build a brand of violence and reality rap" based on committing actual acts of violence against the victim. The complaint asserts that the defendants understood that violence and controversy drove record sales and streams, alleging they "monetized the killing of FBG Duck" to profit from a violent public image.
This civil litigation proceeds as Lil Durk remains incarcerated, facing separate federal charges. The rapper is currently awaiting trial in a murder-for-hire case scheduled for the spring. His defense team has reportedly requested a continuance to move the trial date from January 20 to May 4.
Legal Liabilities in Entertainment
The court’s decision to permit this lawsuit to continue underscores the evolving legal landscape concerning "reality rap" and the potential liability of artists and corporations for real-world violence associated with their brands. By allowing the claims against record labels and artists to proceed, the court is opening the door to an examination of how entertainment marketing strategies may intersect with criminal negligence or incitement. This civil case, moving in tandem with federal criminal prosecutions, adds a layer of complexity to the defendants’ legal challenges. It is important to note that all individuals charged in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
