When an OG in the game gives respect to a younger star, it always makes for a significant moment of respect in hip-hop culture. Moreover, Lil Durk recently sat down with XXL for an interview, during which he spoke on his conversations with Jay-Z. In addition, he spoke on his upcoming album, his relationship with India Royale, and a lot of other topics and insights. However, his remarks about his admiration and exchanges with Hov rang particularly powerfully in the lengthy piece, as it represents yet another bridge between the older and newer generations. Of course, Durkio's been at it for a while, but he said that Jay's inspired him for a long time.
"I’d say Jay-Z," Lil Durk responded to a question about who inspired him to "build an empire of [his] own." "S**t, look what he did. Résumé speak for itself. He used to be in this position. He used to be the underdog. The streets used to take him under. And he bossed up, you know what I'm sayin’? You ain’t see him post pictures every day trying to fit in."
Lil Durk Recalls Jay-Z Praising Him In New XXL Interview
"I seen him at [businessman] Michael Rubin’s party [in 2022]," the "Mad Max" MC continued. "He like, 'Man, you motivate me.' Man, f***ed me up. I forgot my reply to him, ’cause it was on a walk-by. The reply ain’t make no damn sense ’cause it shocked me. I’m like, 'What the f**k?' Damn, that’s hard." Furthermore, the interviewer asked Lil Durk how someone at Jay-Z's heights looking to him for motivation makes him feel. In his answer, he spoke to his own determination and initiative to rise above expectations.
"It’s just motivation," the Chicago MC expressed. "Everything happens for a reason. It was for a reason I was standing right there when he walked past at the time. You know, it’s probably people that be around him every day or be around Drake every day and wasting time. And they won’t be like, 'Lemme learn how to engineer. Lemme learn how to shoot videos, lemme learn how to...' They just want to soak up the air. I’m like, nah, I’m gonna get to it. I’m gonna figure this s**t out for us." Check out the full interview in the link below and return to HNHH for the latest on Jay-Z and Lil Durk.