Lil Durk just got a much-needed breather as a $12.5 million lawsuit related to a failed music investment deal was officially dismissed, providing a rare moment of relief in his ongoing federal murder-for-hire case.
According to court records filed in U.S. District Court, all claims brought by Exceed Talent Capital against Durk, his label Only The Family and OTF Label were dismissed with prejudice.
This means the case cannot be refiled and neither party will recover attorney fees. The rapper also waived his right to appeal.
The lawsuit, first filed in 2023, accuses Durk and his former manager Andrew Bonsu of orchestrating a fraudulent deal involving the rights to the song “Bedtime.”
Exceed claims it was misled into thinking it had acquired permanent rights to the track in exchange for a $600,000 investment. The company said it had already paid $450,000 before learning of Durk’s exclusive recording deal with Sony Music’s Alamo Records, making the agreement invalid.
In May 2023, Alamo Records sent a cease-and-desist letter to Exceed, stating that neither Duke nor his associates had the right to transfer the rights to the song.
Exceed asked for a refund but received no response, ultimately leading to a lawsuit. The court’s rejection only applies to Durk and its affiliates.
Claims remain active against Bonsu and TTPMG, LLC, the purported negotiators of the deal.
The court document clarifies, “Nothing in this provision shall or shall be construed to release, waive, reduce, impair or otherwise affect any claims and rights that any party may have against a defendant who fails to appear.”
Exceed argued that Durk’s team committed “clear fraud” that caused reputational harm, as well as financial losses related to the SEC filing and investor refunds. The company is seeking more than $12 million in damages.
The legal victory comes as Durk continues his fight for freedom in another, more serious case. Federal prosecutors have accused the Chicago rapper of masterminding a murder-for-hire plot against rapper Quindo Rondo.
The attack, allegedly in retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von, instead resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, in West Hollywood.
Durk was arrested in South Florida in October 2024 and remains in federal custody without bail.
Prosecutors claim he used his OTF label to fund the operation, paying for flights, car rentals and even offering music deals as incentives to the alleged shooter.
He faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder for hire and use of a machine gun to commit a violent crime resulting in death.
His legal team has challenged the indictment, saying it is vague and lacks specific details. They also objected to the Justice Department’s push for anonymous jurors, arguing it could harm the trial.
Durk’s trial, originally scheduled for October 2025, has been postponed to January 2026.
