When Lil Durk first teased a song with Morgan Wallen, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. People were confused. They were angry. They were skeptical. You had the king of Chicago’s drill scene teaming up with a country star who was, at the time, still radioactive in many social circles. It looked like a PR stunt from a mile away.
But it wasn't. Honestly, if you look at the timeline, the Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen partnership wasn't just about chasing a crossover hit. It was about two guys who were both dominating their respective worlds but felt like outsiders in the industry.
The numbers don't lie. "Broadway Girls" didn't just chart; it exploded. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Think about that for a second. A country singer from Tennessee topped a hip-hop chart because a rapper from Englewood vouched for him.
The Weird Way Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen Actually Met
Most people think a record executive put them in a room to fix Morgan’s image. That’s actually wrong. The real story is way more "internet age" than that. Durk was watching the charts. He saw his album The Voice get blocked from the number one spot by Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album.
Wallen stayed at number one for ten weeks straight. Durk didn't get mad. He got curious.
He DM’ed Morgan. Basically, he said, "If I can't beat you, we might as well crush everything together."
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They didn't just send files back and forth, though. Durk actually went to Nashville. He spent time in Morgan's world. Wallen even took him fishing. It’s a hilarious image—Durkio, the guy who made "L's Anthem," sitting on a boat waiting for a bass to bite. But it worked. They built a genuine bond that went beyond the studio.
Why "Broadway Girls" Changed Everything
"Broadway Girls" was a massive gamble. It wasn't just a country song with a rap verse tacked on. It was "country drill." The beat had that signature Chicago bounce, but the lyrics were pure Nashville storytelling about getting played by girls at Jason Aldean’s bar.
- Released: December 17, 2021
- Chart Peak: #14 on Billboard Hot 100
- The "Cancel Culture" Test: Durk brought Morgan out at the MLK Freedom Fest in Nashville.
That last part is huge. Durk didn't just make a song; he put his reputation on the line. He told the crowd, "He ain't no racist, that's my boy." For Durk, who has survived the streets of Chicago, he valued personal loyalty over public opinion. He saw a guy who made a mistake, apologized, and was being shunned by the industry elite. Durk related to that.
The Second Chapter: "Stand By Me"
A lot of fans thought "Broadway Girls" was a one-off. Then came Almost Healed in 2023. Track 20, "Stand By Me," proved they weren't finished.
This one was different. It was softer, more melodic. Produced by Dr. Luke, it leaned heavily into the "pop-country" lane. Critics kinda hated it. Rolling Stone called it "treacly." Pitchfork wasn't a fan either. But the fans? They didn't care what the critics thought.
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The song became a massive commercial success, proving that the Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen brand was bigger than any single genre. It wasn't just about the music anymore. It was about two fanbases—people from the trenches and people from the trailer parks—realizing they liked the same vibe.
Is a Full Collaborative Album Coming?
Here is where things get interesting for 2026. At the 2024 Grammys, Durk let it slip on the red carpet. He told ET Online, "There’s gonna be a collab album soon."
He wasn't joking.
Since then, rumors have been flying. We know they have unreleased tracks. We know they've been in the studio with producers like ryderoncrack and Charlie Handsome. A full-length project wouldn't just be a country album or a rap album. It would be something entirely new.
The Cultural Impact Nobody Talks About
We talk about the charts, but we don't talk about the shift in the culture. Before these two, the "country-rap" bridge was usually a joke (think "Old Town Road," which was more of a meme at first).
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Durk and Wallen made it feel gritty. They made it feel real.
They showed that the struggle in a small town isn't that much different from the struggle in the city. Heartbreak is universal. Getting "finessed" on Broadway is a universal experience.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan trying to keep up with what’s next for the duo, stop looking at the mainstream awards shows. Wallen and Durk usually announce their moves on Instagram and TikTok first.
Here is how to stay ahead of the next drop:
- Watch the Producers: Follow Charlie Handsome and ryderoncrack. They often post snippets of beats that never make the official albums but hint at the direction the duo is heading.
- Check the Features: Keep an eye on the "Hixtape" projects. Morgan often uses those to experiment with different genres.
- The Live Circuit: Look at festival lineups where both are headlining. That’s usually where they test out new material or bring each other out for surprise sets.
The Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen story is far from over. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most unlikely friendships are the ones that actually change the game. They didn't follow the rules, and honestly, that's why they're still at the top.