Only the Family Entertainment is a independent hip hop label based in Chicago, Illinois founded by local drill emcee Lil Durk. They eventually grew its roster to the point where Durk started showcasing his artists on Only the Family Involved, Only the Family Involved 2, Family Over Everything & Loyal Bros all to generally mixed reviews. But as the 1-year anniversary of Loyal Bros 2 approaches next month, Only the Family is looking to tell Nightmares in the Trenches.

“Nobody’s Safe” by OTF Boonie Moe featuring Rob49 is an underwhelming way to start the compilation as they jump over an uncanny trap instrumental declaring there isn’t a single soul that’s safe once they out in the streets whereas “Eyes Red” by Lil Durk picks things up by talking about pulling his Amiris halfway down accompanied by an aquatic backdrop with hi-hats. The atmospheric trap instrumental on “Posted At” by CoKilla & THF Zoo isn’t too bad even though I can’t say the same for the performances, but then “Them Ones” by Durk bounces back once more saying there’s no way he can run out of money over a cloudy Chopsquad DJ beat.

Chief Wuk joins Durk for “I’m the Type” explaining the type of people they are going for a Detroit trap vibe this time instrumentally leading into “Last One” by Doodie Lo featuring YTB Fatt refusing to talk about their last hits over hi-hats & bells. Speaking of the Detroit trap scene, Icewear Vezzo & Durk team up on “Fuck It” going back & forth with one another very well over an eerie trap beat just before “Hood Said” by solely Durk is an acoustic trap crossover talking about history repeating itself.

The song “Whatever You Wit” by CoKilla & Deeski shifts into drill turf although the subject matter of being down with whatever you’re down with is ok while the penultimate track “It’s on Me” by Booka600 talks about guts & glory always taking you to the end over a slick instrumental. “Smurk Carter” ends the comp with 1 last Lil Durk solo cut giving me a bluesy trap feeling sonically declaring money as the root of all evil.

Other than the late King Von & of course Durk, I was never that big on the OtF roster so I didn’t really expect a whole lot going into their 6th showcase effort. However, it’s probably the most I’ve enjoyed a compilation from the Chicago label. Lil Durk’s performances are obviously the best out of what the current roster has to offer with the production primarily centered around trap with drill undertones additionally being thrown in.

Score: 2.5/5

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