| April 19th, 2025

Album Review: Deep Thoughts, Lil Durk’s Surprise Drop and the Sound of Survival

By: Auriel Patton

On March 28, 2025, while still awaiting trial on federal charges in a murder-for-hire plot, Lil Durk released Deep Thoughts, a surprise album dropped from behind bars. The project, arriving under the shadow of serious legal heat, is already sparking conversation, not just for what’s on it, but for what surrounds it. 

Durk, a Chicago rapper and major voice in drill music, is facing federal charges in Los Angeles tied to the 2022 killing of a relative of rival rapper Taquan “Rondo” Bowman. According to prosecutors, Durk allegedly conspired with others to orchestrate Rondo’s murder, but the shooting mistakenly claimed the life of his cousin instead.  

Despite these heavy charges, Deep Thoughts has been met with commercial success. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and claimed the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, signaling that the project is resonating with fans and critics alike. 

Opening with Prayer: A Spiritual Conflict 

The album opens with Shaking When I Pray, a deeply introspective track that sets the emotional tone for Deep Thoughts. Durk begins with an Islamic prayer, a choice that immediately establishes a spiritual backdrop, but one that hasn’t come without criticism. Many TikTok users identifying as Muslim have taken issue with what they see as a misuse of sacred words, questioning the appropriateness of invoking prayer in a song that also explores violence and addiction. Still, for Durk, the moment feels deeply personal setting the stage for an album that blurs the line between confession and contradiction. 

Confronting Addiction and Survival 

Durk’s ongoing battle with addiction is a central theme throughout Deep Thoughts, and the first two tracks, Shaking When I Pray and Keep on Sippin’, dive deep into his personal struggles. In Shaking When I Pray, he raps, “I was in Cleveland Clinic, I almost met up with God for the week, the same place Damar Hamlin went, that stuff ain’t cheap.” The line feels raw, exposing more than just a physical near-death experience. It speaks to the mental and emotional toll addiction has taken on Durk. He’s struggling with the fragility of life and the weight of his own survival. 

In Keep On Sippin’, Durk gets even more vulnerable, rapping, “My first day having withdrawals, couldn’t believe, it was scary.” These words capture the fear, the uncertainty, and the isolation that come with battling addiction. His delivery makes it clear that this isn’t just a song about struggle, it’s an intimate confession. In moments like these, Durk doesn’t just let us into his life, he lets us see him at his most human. 

Star Features: Durk’s Surprising Collaborations 

Despite being in jail, Lil Durk brought together an impressive roster of artists for Deep Thoughts, featuring tracks with Future, Lil Baby, Jhene Aiko, and Hunxho. They Want To Be You with Future, 1000 Times with Lil Baby, Cant Hide It with Jhene Aiko, and Late Checkout with Hunxho add a diverse layer to the album. These collaborations create a balance, with each artist contributing a unique energy to the project. While Durk’s verses maintain the album’s raw, emotional core, the features bring an upbeat, energetic contrast, offering listeners a blend of vulnerability and high-energy tracks that complement the deeper themes of the album. 

Final Thoughts and Rating 

As a longtime fan of Lil Durk, I genuinely appreciate the vulnerability and honesty he brings to Deep Thoughts. This album feels like a window into his current mindset, shaped by personal battles, legal struggles, and a search for spiritual grounding. While I’m still undecided on where it ranks among my favorite Durk projects, there’s no denying the emotional weight behind it. Given the seriousness of the charges he’s currently facing, it’s clear there were limits on what he could say and how freely he could express himself. Still, what he does share is powerful, offering a glimpse into both his inner thoughts and evolving faith. I’m giving this project an 8.5 out of 10. If you’re in a place where you’re dealing with your own challenges and looking for music that speaks to pain, growth, and survival, this album is for you.