Only the Family - Lil Durk Presents: Loyal Bros.

Led by Lil Durk, Only the Family is the name of both a record label and a loose assemblage of rappers, many of which are affiliated with the Chicago drill scene. Only the Family: Lil Durk Presents - Loyal Bros is the first release from the collective following the November 2020 shooting death of their member King Von, and the shadow of his death looms heavily over the project. Not only is Loyal Bros dedicated to the late rapper and including multiple songs referencing his memory, but Von himself makes posthumous appearances throughout the albums 23 song tracklisting. Along with the previously released Me and Doodie Lo, Von contributes to the dazzlingly sinister Out the Roof, and the more atmospheric album opener JUMP. Only the Family leader Lil Durk maintains a leading presence throughout the majority of Loyal Bros, riding on the momentum of his 2020 album The Voice. Lil Durks bloodthirsty verses take Dying 2 Hitem and JUMP to their most exciting heights, and he handles Hellcats & Trackhawks without any assistance. The collection is just shy of an hour long, and wastes little time with filler, offering variant highlights like the Tee Grizzley-featuring Game Face and a commanding appearance from Lil Uzi Vert on Let It Blow. ~ Fred Thomas

シカゴのドリル・シーンから頭角を表し、昨年はドレイクのヒット"Laugh Now Cry Later"への参加も大きな話題となったリル・ダークが、自身の主導するオンリー・ザ・ファミリーでの最新クルー・アルバムを発表。キング・ヴォンがブレイクした矢先の昨年11月に銃撃を受けて急逝するという不幸な出来事があり、要所で彼に捧げるポイントも見受けられるものの、重苦しいムードはなく、ソロ新作も出したばかりのティー・グリズリーや歌心あるフロウが印象的なブーカ600らの注目アクトから無名の輩まで十数名に及ぶメンバーが目まぐるしくマイクを握って、一大勢力に発展したクルーとしての勢いを見せつける。なかでも挑発的なリリックでキレキレなラップを披露するヴォンの存在感がやはり別格だ。
bounce (C)Masso 187um