Lil Durk recently placed his heart of gold on full display.
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The rapper took notice of a video that went viral of a homeless man watching his track “All My Life” featuring J. Cole. The Los Angeles resident, Pedro Ramirez, had a big-screen projector inside his tent.
After the TikTok video garnered 7.7 million views and 652,400 likes, the chart-topping artist tracked down Ramirez to thank him for his support. Before connecting with the homeless man, the Chicago native jumped on a live stream to document the act of kindness.
“I wanna do something real special out of the kindness of my heart, right?” said Durk. “So the guy who was playing ‘All My Life’ in the tent, I found him. I’mma pull up on him. I got him a hotel room. You never know what people [are] going through.”
Durk then exited his car and walked up to the tent. Although Ramirez was star-struck, the two shared a warm exchange. Before the artist flipped his phone camera around, he asked Ramirez for his permission.
The hitmaker continued to gift Ramirez a 30-day stay at a hotel, which was already pre-paid. The “Broadway Girls” artist also provided the man with a new cell phone, gift cards, and cash. Ramirez was beyond grateful for the generous contribution and joined Durk on the live stream to express his gratitude.
“I got you a room for 30 days. I’m a give you a couple of dollars. I’m a give you a gift card, and I’m a give you a phone for showing support,” explained Durk.
“I appreciate you a lot. That’s actually helpful a lot,” replied Ramirez.
Following the viral encounter, FOX 11 spoke with Ramirez about his set-up. The 33-year-old stressed that he’s not “tapping into the city’s lights to power up” his big screen.
“It makes me feel like I’m home,” Ramirez told the outlet. “I’m not doing anything wrong, I’m not stealing power from anyone.”
Ramirez pointed out that he charges his generator and other devices at a Metro station in downtown Hollywood. He said his generator has to be charged “every two weeks,” and the WiFi comes from a hot spot. Ramirez has been living in the tent for nearly two years.
The man admitted that he would rather live in his tent, over LA’s assisted living programs.
“They treat us like prisoners in there,” shared Ramirez. “Before you go in the building, they’re searching you with a metal detector…I signed up for housing, not for rehab or prison.”
“All My Life” lives on Durk’s recently released album, Almost Healed. The 21–song tracklist also includes “Stand By Me” with Morgan Wallen, “War Bout It” featuring 21 Savage and “Never Imagined.”
Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
