The question that any artist would rightfully ponder when coming off of a project like Tana Talk 3 is “How do I follow that up?” For Benny The Butcher and the Griselda staff, their almost overwhelming consistency seems to alleviate any such pressure.
His latest project Plugs I Met is a concise (at seven-songs), yet meticulously crafted work of art that not only manages to further illustrate what a problem he is with the bars but — for longtime fans — delivers a guest list you’d expect for an artist affiliated with Shady.
With a soundscape crafted by frequent collaborators Daringer, DJ Shay, and Alchemist, Benny managed to get verses from Jadakiss, Black Thought, and Pusha T. Managed is the key because these verses absolutely deliver — Kiss and Pusha went the extra mile. None of them overpower or out rap the Buffalo wordsmith.
There is this strong sense of respect that Benny and his crew hold; they’ve really been through their bars. In a recent interview, he notes that the bulk of these features were set up via Instagram DM — and that he himself was genuinely humbled that they (particularly Pusha) was with it.
This almost endearing ignorance (whether it’s real or not) to his current status is actually a recurring theme in his rhymes across this project. “My bitch keep saying I’m famous, but it ain’t hit me, I’m too ghetto‘d out this Hollywood shit tricky,” he raps on The DJ Shay-produced “Crowns for Kings” alongside the GOAT Black Thought. A song sure to spark “Renegade” level arguments.
“5 to 50” sees him reiterating his “fresh out the gutter” aesthetic over an absolutely gorgeous, atmospheric banger The Alchemist — featuring India sharing memories of the cops banging in their door juxtaposed with a refreshing sense of calm as they’ve since been afforded a better life as a result of Benny’s success.
It’s this coming to terms with success as a man in his 30’s that has been there and done the things a lot of rappers claim to have done that seems to be the seasoning continuing to make everything Benny chefs up so appetizing.
At the end of the day, money can — and has — changed everything in many Hip Hop timelines. Any concern that a major label move may dilute the Griselda brand seems to be something that has long been dispelled. Much like his past projects, Plugs I Met, which also includes solid contributions from the almighty Conway The Machine and Benny’s BSF artist RJ Payne (on the Daringer and Beat Butcha-helmed “Dirty Harry”) is propelled by this infectious hunger that manages to stay intact.
When it comes to the question of how you follow up a project mentioned by many in the same sentence as the word classic, the answer ultimately appears to be, “like this.”
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Damn this just dropped this morning.
Had an advance of the album. Cannot stop playing it.
How come we never got a review of Supreme Blientele?
Actually, it was one of the few Griselda reviews I didn’t write for DX in 2018. Don’t remember why…I did write one though. I gave it near perfect.
Fire
East coast rap making a big comeback with this shit
Thank God
album of the fucking year
The years not over yet. You mean best album you personally heard this year so far. And it’s IMPOSSIBLE to give ANY album AOTY title unless you’ve personally listened to EVERY album that got released for the year. Next time just say it’s the best album YOU’VE heard this year SO FAR
Is it really that important? This is a 2019 “Cuban Linx” moment for me. I think it´s AOTY so far, but I might another replacement later.. 🙂
AOTY ititle s corny bruh. One of the dopest albums of the year makes more sense. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib just dropped a album and it’s dope as fuck. BOTH those albums FIYAH. There is no best .DOPE IS DOPE!
Just discovered BENNY today (no shit) that black thought track almost made me cry. Our bars from both.
Then you have to listen Tana Talk 3
I’m listening to this as I’m writing this… dope shit as usual and that Black Thought verse? FUEGO!!!
Benny is undefeated right now
Following up “Tana Talk 3” is a feat itself. He delivered and has the backing from strong hip hop heads that love Luxury Street Rap. Salute! Shit is ?
Benny is on some early Hov shit with the bars. Griselda is trying to take over the game! This EP is soooooo dope! All guest appearances are insane!
Listening to this makes me want to order packs from the dn. And that shit does land.
Been a Benny fan. He’s hands down my favorite from Griselda. This EP isn’t it for me. My first brick is his best project in my opinion. I wish he’d get back to that sound. The bars will always be there. I’m normally okay with darringer production, but it could have been better this time.
Just because you don’t like something doesnt mean it’s weak. Daringer doesn’t force the bests onto him. Obviously Benny was feeling the beats from a rappers perspective. The joints flames. If you go out your way to find faults you’ll ALWAYS find faults..most real hip hop heads and street cats feel this joint HEAVY.
I want My First Brick to drop on some limited edition vinyl i need to have the whole classic early griselda collection i got 17 bullets so tuff kong bound to be make my first brick a release .dunno bout the other shit the beats still fire to me but whatever them cats too dope to argue over
We need a Grieselda x TDE song
West & Conway did a song with Q that was produced by Alchemist. It was surprisingly underwhelming though.
Grizelda – D-Block anybody?????
I didnt care for Tana Talk 3. The production was just too boring for me. This is flames though. I love to hear Benny on more uptempo beats… like that Preem joint. Crazy
This is absolute flames, for sure album of the year, 9.5/10!
You listened to EVERY album that dropped this year? The years not even over yet bruh. It would be smart if you said it’s the best album YOU’VE heard this year so far.
I just wish it had more tracks
Yeah this is a banger for sure
Classic!
This dude is a beast
Well-deserved score
The butcher comin’……..
BARS
This morning, I awoke to find out that my teenie white penis had grown into a massive Negro schlonger donger hanging between my pasty white legs!!! I had been praying to Allah for months day and night that my itty bitty white pee pee would grow to the length and girth of that of the typical American Negro. Today, at long last, my prayers were answered! Where once there was a tiny pink wee wee, now there is a giant black mamba, a 10 inch boa constrictor hanging out of my boxers, splayed across the floor! I thought my prayers had indeed been answered, my life was finally worth living, all the bitches would want me, and I praised and thanked the Profit Muhammed until tears streamed from my eyes and snot dripped from my nose, but I am now suddenly shocked to find that, although my penis is now Sambo-Sized, all the money that was in my bank account has suddenly vanished, my fridge is full of nothing but two week old fried chicken and malt liquor, I have dozens of illegitimate kids with names like Leroi and Shaquanna, I have four fat, lazy, angry baby mamas on food stamps, I have nothing in my wallet but a maxed out EBT card, I have three outstanding warrants for vagrancy, robbery, and public chicken consumption, I’m unemployed and I live in a filthy trap house! HELP! HEEEELLLLPPPP!!! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEE!!!
What a waste of air
BEST RAPPER OUT
Jadakiss , Dave East, black thought Freddie Gibbs etc are still alive .You mean one of the best rappers out
Back to back great albums in 6 months. I think he’s gonna be hiphop star. Wait till he makes that mainstream crossover. I like Dave East he makes a fire song here and there but Bennys dropped two gems
Man I wanted Dave East to be the one but besides the joint LP with Styles P … Dave East projects have been disappointing
This is the album of year . It’s nostalgic without being boring .
5/5 rating
Real street rap it’s authenticity to these verses like they actually had sales . Honestly never saw this coming and I’ve been following these guys .
Album dope af. But how you gon give ANY album AOTY when the years not ended it? Only give a album AOTY status when you’ve personally listened to EVERY album that dropped for the year. And even then the smart thing to say it’s the best album YOU’VE personally heard for the year.
Lmao you personally listen to every single album that drops? From mainstream and the underground too? Dang that’s a lot of work.
Freddie gibbs said hold my beer
That’s hilarious Trell lmao and Bandana is fire
There group album hasn’t even dropped yet lol. I have been a hiphop fan since early 90. When I first heard them a few years back I liked them but didn’t feel like there was much room for growth. But now think there real deal and my favorites out now. I think Benny’s gonna become hiphop star.
Am I the only one who is not feeling his flow on “5 to 50″? The rest of the EP is very good, but I don’t like the flow on “5 to 50″ at all
That’s funny because I love that track …. just shows different brains are on different frequencies … I’m from Buffalo and Griselda are the ones … much respect to the real
I LOVE THAT FLOW
Butcher coming n!99@!!! Swear Benny is a a made man, one of the Good Fellas. And my god the production is crazy, swear Alchemist is the truth.
If you ask me, I’m gonna say this album should’ve gotten a perfect 5.
THIS IS BETTER THAN FREDDIE GIBB’S ALBUM
Nah.
2-3 more tracks it would of been album of the year so far no doubt it still in the top 3 now Benny too raw with it
Dope ?