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Buffalo emcee Benny the Butcher ends the first month of 2024 by releasing his 4th full length LP and major label debut under Def Jam Recordings. Having been in the game for 2 decades already, by 2016, alongside his Westside cousins Gunn & Conway the Machine, he would take the culture away from projects like Tana Talk 3 & The plugs I met. Harry Freud was brought in for a sequel to the latter after the mature Burden of proof & after all, Tana Talk 4 took it back to the basement two years ago. But for the butcher's Def Jam project, he'll have Hit-Boy produce half and leave the other half to Alchemist.
“Jermaine's Graduation” sets the tone for what's to come with a lavish instrumental, explaining that he doesn't need a trophy because he's the trophy, while “Bron” goes on a triumphant boom bap run likening himself to her LeBron James rap shit . “Big Dog” featuring Lil Wayne works in this reverse cycle talking about being very dogs, but then the title track with Kyle Banks gives it back to the game accompanied by a soul sample and some kicks and snares.
Meanwhile, “TMVTL (Trust More Valuable Than Love)” takes a more spacious route organically expressing the importance of trust over love just before “Back Again” returns to boom bap with additional vocals from Snoop Dogg that speak of gangsta. “1 Foot In” featuring Stove God Cook$ kicks off the 2nd leg of the album admitting he was one foot out of the game after that freestyle with Funkmaster Flex over a hard beat that lead into “Buffalo Kitchen Club” featuring Armani Caesar to combine these piano chords and hats together reminding that nobody gives a fuck.
“Pillow Talk & Slander” featuring Babyface Ray & Jadakiss sees the trio tell their older selves to watch those hoes over lush trap, while “How to Rap” takes it back to the basement showing everyone how it's done . “Griselda Express” featuring Conway the Machine & Rick Hyde kicks off the LP's encore saying they don't stop above an official beat and “Big Tymers” featuring Peezy ties things up with a 1-last trap cut that boasts the current their situation.
A lot of people who started with Benny or played a role don't make it as some are no longer with us, in prison, following other paths, others just not cut out for it. With help from Hit-Boy & Uncle Al, he lays out the biggest lesson he learned from this for his major label debut. The production is flexible, the guests match his intensity and the butcher invites you into his world.
Rating: 9/10