McArthur Swindle / Family photo
BY BECKY SCHLIKERMAN
Chicago Sun-Times
A Chicago rapper related to prominent rapper Lil Durk was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in the Chatham neighborhood.
McArthur Swindle, 21, was sitting in a sport-utility vehicle in the 700 block of East 87th Street about 3:20 p.m. Saturday when someone walked up and fatally shot Swindle, authorities said.
Swindle — called Nunu by his family — went by the name Nuski as a rapper.
The police said the shooting might have been gang-related. An aunt said Swindle wasn’t involved in gangs.
Swindle’s death came as he was working on new music.
“This was going to be his big breakout project,” said Merk Murphy, who runs a studio where Swindle was recording the new tracks.
Like many of his contemporaries, Swindle’s drill rap focused on his life. His songs were energetic, focused on having a good time and his relationship to the people close to him, Murphy said.
“He was one of those kids who saw an opportunity to put himself in a better position with his music,” Murphy said.
Swindle was working with his cousin Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, who was trying to get him noticed, Murphy said.
Swindle, who lived in Englewood, was also taking college classes in Joliet, according to his aunt, Sherri Swindle.
She said her nephew’s father also was shot to death, in 1995.
“It needs to stop,” the aunt, 43, said. “He was a good person. He was a kindhearted person. He had a lot of soul.”
Swindle had a young daughter, family members said.
— Contributing: Luke Wilusz