Buffalo rapper Benny The Butcher returns with new album Tana Talk 4. HipHopDX breaks down Benny The Butcher’s Tana Talk 4.
It’s been a while since Benny The Butcher’s breakout album Tana Talk 3 solidified what those who saw the vision had always known: he’s one of the more capable wordsmiths in the game today.
In the three years since, Benny — and Griselda as a whole — have more than come into their own, gaining widespread recognition. There’ve been a lot of projects in between, but there’s something special about Tana Talk, the 2004 series that started it all (although the original installment remains lost to collectors).
Despite sporting top to bottom production from Daringer, Beat Butcha and HipHopDX 2021 producer of the year Alchemist, Tana Talk 4’s sound feels much less dark while still maintaining the persona fans have become accustomed to over the years.
Hearing him describe the 2020 incident in Houston that left him shot in the leg and break down his reluctance to cooperate with authorities on “Mr. Chow Hall” reveals just how real he remains, as does his recognition that it was probably a sign from the universe. “This position that I got as a gangster, I won’t abuse it,” he raps.
“10 More Commandments” sees him spitting drug dealer rules of engagement (based on the classic Biggie track “10 Crack Commandments” produced by DJ Premier) — even adding an essential far outside of Biggie’s original scope: social media. Diddy rightfully joins the Buffalo MC, dropping ad-libs and an outro speech calling for Black people to unite.
The biggest jewel Benny delivers is Commandment No.11: “Get out of the game the first chance that you get.” He adds, “Rap n-ggas, hope y’all don’t get any ideas,” which is the opposite of glorifying the realities of a life that has become almost a fashion statement in today’s industry. His tense lyrics sometimes blur the lines of past and present. However, TT4 puts his past in the past (for the most part), aiming to shift focus to his achievements in music and legit business.
“I cut ties with the game/The same thing that certified me,” he raps on the Boldy James-featured “Weekends In The Perry’s,” adding his pen game has been putting pressure on a lot of rappers lately.
“Tyson Vs. Ali” sees him lamenting the constant comparisons between him and Conway — both great rappers in their own rights. This song feels incredibly potent, considering Conway’s God Don’t Make Mistakes is still fresh. In juxtaposition, Benny’s project peels back fewer layers on his artistry.
There’s the sense Benny feels as though he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. As he says on “Billy Joe,” he’s one classic away from many acts currently revered on Hip Hop Twitter. His crux remains that his tracklists often include an abundance of thematic content that treads overly comfortable waters. While the timely barrage of bars on “Bust A Brick Nick” and “Mr. Chow Hall” feel fresh, moments such as the .38 Spesh-assisted “Uncle Bun” or the Stove God Cooks-featured “Back 2x,” for example, don’t do much to evolve his narrative too much further than past releases.
Possibly the most outside-the-box track on the setlist is “Thowy’s Revenge,” with Alchemist providing one of the album’s best instrumentals, followed closely by “Johnny P’s Caddy” featuring J. Cole.
While it doesn’t push the envelope, this is a more than worthy follow-up to its predecessor — further solidifying his status as pound for pound, one of the better MCs breathing. While TT4 may not break down walls, the album fits snugly into the Griselda Music Universe and makes it more challenging than ever to deny Benny The Butcher of his roses.
Repeat Me
how do y’all review an album that’s only been released hours ago?
We get the albums before they are released, sometimes weeks in advance.
Advance copies. Like most reviews of almost everything that gets reviewed in the press.
Ya buggin 5mics only at Uncle Bun track – this shit crazy
Good project, but Conway has the better album out these days. Benny is in top form but overall the album also includes a lot of stuff that made me a bit bored and tired with some of the Griselda releases over the last years. Especially on the production side of things it is pretty much what you expected. Not bad but for the most part just good Griselda standard that could have been on any other of their albums. At least Alchemist got his memory back on using drums. Good album though.3.5 mics for me
When isn’t Benny dropping 5 stars.
3 times through front to back already and it’s right there with the rest of his fire ass discography. 5 mics off Uncle Bun alone ??
Bro got to Uncle Bun and said 5mics lol
Not feeling it after 1 listen. Game is gonna have AOTY. Best rapper alive.
Ain’t no one talking bout the game bitch lol
Album is wall to wall fire. Better than TT3.
While I can not in any way associate with the lifestyle they paint in their rhymes I can still listen to a grimy Griselda project all day. Another great album. Dope as duck!
Cover to cover classic hands down. One of the best in the entire Griselda catalog between all of their albums. Great street type hooks, great rhymes amazing production. If you like real rap u should respect this album.
Another solid album in the ever growing Benny discography. There’s a couple joints I ain’t feeling so no 5 from me. But this is pretty close to as good as it gets. Gonna bump this album til Freddie and Pusha drops. I swear, if these 3 cats put out a project together it would be game over for 85% of the rap game.
Yooooooo I thought it was only me,but I think pusha and Benny would be a better match,there concain bars is insane
This album is fire. I would argue that TT3, The Plugs I Met, and Burden of Proof are better, but time will tell where this sits.
Alright hiphop dx,I am getting fed up with ur bullshit reviews, a 3.9..who the fuck writes this reviews…. Fuck all y’all, this album is a 5/5 fuckoutta here
5/5 ?? Uncle Bun!
This album is a borderline masterpiece from start to finish.
Benny done it again!! Dope project…keep doing what you’re doing Bro!!
For me, there’s no skips on this album. Outside of 10 more crack commandments which has a dope commercial feel, this is a return to the grimy, Daringer-esque beats that Benny blew up on. Fits perfectly with the Tana Talk Series. Nothing is touching TT3, but TT4 is a more than worthy sequel. You can tell he spent time on these verses. And is arguably still improving
This album is solid. I’ve reached the point where I’m skipping a few tracks, but I’m not mad at the project.
Best album ive heard this year i liked this lot more than Conway’s GDMM joint
J Cole bodied the track if not the album. Stove God Cooks also outshined Benny. This is a cool release. Not the burner I was expecting, but cool.