DJ Akademiks says Lil Durk prosecutors put his life at risk over interview reaction

DJ Akademiks has accused federal prosecutors of endangering him by presenting his reaction during a Lil Durk interview as evidence that he understood the rapper to be discussing retaliation for King Von’s death.

The media personality objected after a clip from his 2023 interview with Durk was used during the government’s closing argument in the rapper’s federal murder-for-hire trial in Los Angeles. Akademiks was not called as a witness in the case.

Prosecutors highlight interview reaction

The disputed exchange appeared on Akademiks’ Off the Record podcast. Asked about people previously urging him to “slide for Von”, Durk replied: “For some odd reason, I don’t see those comments anymore.”

Prosecutors reportedly argued that the statement carried an incriminating meaning. During rebuttal closing arguments, Assistant US Attorney Michael J. Morse is said to have directed jurors’ attention to Akademiks’ facial expression after the clip was played.

Morse was one of three federal prosecutors listed in the case by the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Akademiks rejected the prosecution’s interpretation, maintaining that the dramatic pause and his reaction had been planned to generate promotional material for the interview. He argued that they did not indicate he believed Durk was confessing to a crime.

Judge rejects defence request for further context

Durk’s lawyers subsequently made an emergency request to reopen the evidence, seeking permission to play more of the interview so jurors could consider the exchange in a broader context.

US District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald denied the application after jury deliberations had begun. Reports on the ruling stressed that lawyers’ closing arguments do not constitute evidence.

Akademiks nevertheless said the government’s use of his reaction could place him at risk by creating the impression that Durk had made a murder confession to him — or that he had knowingly helped prosecutors support their case.

Akademiks goes off on the FEDS for putting his life in danger by using his Lil Durk interview as the foundation of their case without ever contacting him to confirm anything 😯

“Throwing my name in here, saying I received a m*rder confession only puts my life in danger”

“I… pic.twitter.com/2NrO6ckrc1

— validate (@validclipx) September 9, 2026

He contrasted his circumstances with those of cooperating witnesses who testified at the trial, naming OTF Jam and OTF Vonnie. Akademiks argued that such witnesses may have access to protections unavailable to him.

He described himself as a civilian media personality who had no criminal role in the case and said he should not be portrayed as though he knowingly contributed to the prosecution’s theory.

Durk awaits verdict in murder-for-hire case

The controversy emerged as jurors considered their verdict in the federal case arising from an August 2022 shooting that killed Saviay’a Robinson.

Robinson was accompanying rapper Quando Rondo, whom prosecutors allege was the intended target. The government claims the attack was connected to retaliation following King Von’s death.

Durk has pleaded not guilty. Akademiks said his criticism concerned the way prosecutors used his name, interview and reaction, rather than whether Durk should be found guilty or acquitted.