Lil Durk Flaunts "Neighborhood Hero" Status After Meeting With Chicago's Mayoral Candidates

BY Erika Marie 732 Views
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Future And Friends One Big Party Tour - Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Rapper Lil Durk performs during "One Big Party Tour" at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2023 in Washington, DC.(photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Durk's Neighborhood Hero Foundation invited 30 students to meet with the candidates to discuss the city's future.

He may have spent Valentine's Day engaging in an indirect exchange with his ex, but Lil Durk has also been busy making political moves. The Chicago rapper has earned his fair share of backlash due to his past legal trouble or violent lyrical content, but he's still one of the most celebrated artists in Hip Hop. Over the last few years, Durk has seemingly attempted to shift the public's perspective of him. He has invested in more community building, and on Instagram, he shared photos of a dinner with Chicago's mayor, Lori Lightfoot.

Durk's Neighborhood Heroes Foundation hosted a dinner at Gibson's steakhouse, where over two dozen high school students met with mayoral candidates. The youngsters may not be able to vote, but they did ask five candidates about their plans for the city. A few of the students told WGN-TV about their experience.

Future And Friends "One Big Party Tour" - Charlotte, NC
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 13: Rapper Lil Durk performs during Future & Friends "One Big Party Tour"at Spectrum Center on January 13, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
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“Tonight is an opportunity for us to express what goes on in our neighborhood and what we want to see change,” said 17-year-old Melvin Bush. “[The election] is an important thing that determines our future and the future of our communities as well.” Another student, Phillip Jones, had questions of his own. “I want to see what they’re going to do to keep our kids out of jail and off the streets,” Jones said. “We got bigger things to do.”

On its website, the Neighborhood Heroes Foundation shared its mission. Its goal is "to empower and collaborate with everyday Heroes who are taking the lead to make positive change in the lives of those within under-resourced neighborhoods across the nation."

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"Neighborhood Heroes believe that collaboration is not about an option to choose, but necessity to strengthen the efficiencies and effectiveness of tackling pressing issues and generate a better impact for a better world," the statement continued. "We understand that collaboration and strategic partnership is fundamental to improving outcomes." Check out more from Lil Durk's dinner with the next generation of voters above.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.