The latest album from Griselda member Benny the Butcher released Jan. 26. The album, Benny’s fourth studio album and his first album released with Def Jam Recordings, became huge for Benny’s career as it’s helping him get more exposure to mainstream listeners. Benny came up through the underground rap scene in New York with his cousins Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine. Together, they eventually created their own label, Griselda. Westside Gunn became a bigger artist, as his last three albums have garnered a lot of attention, which in turn helped Benny and Conway grow their listeners. With that and a song with J. Cole in 2022, Benny has made a name for himself in more than just the underground rap game now. In an interview with On the Radar, Benny expressed how he viewed this album as a way to solidify a name for himself after signing a deal with a big label. 

The Butcher delivered on this album. Benny continued his clever bars and intricate flows. Benny’s features on this album are headlined by accompanied Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Westside Gunn, and Conway the Machine. The intro track, Jermaine’s Graduation, sees Benny reflect on his life when he was in the streets and coming up in the rap game. Benny raps over this upbeat, yet menacing piano instrumental where it sounds like Benny views his come-up as triumphant. The next track, BRON, is a great follow-up to the intro, as Benny builds on that braggy vibe, comparing himself to Lebron James, hence the song title. BRON is one of the highlights of this album and released before the album as one of the singles. Big Dog is the next track with a verse from Lil Wayne where he sounds like a vintage version of himself with this verse, creating another banger. The fourth track, the title track, Everybody Can’t Go, featuring Kyle Banks. This has been my favorite track off the album so far. The beat immediately draws you in, while Benny boasts over this song comparing himself to “Barry Bonds in the batting cage.” Benny also speaks about some of his early struggles in the second verse, bringing another sports reference in this time comparing his rocky relationship with the rap game “Like Iverson and Larry Brown,” who infamously feuded during their time together on the Philadelphia 76ers. The chorus is done by Kyle Banks who melodically sings over the beat, juxtaposing Benny’s rapping which I think works so well making this one of my favorite Benny tracks. The next song is TMVTL, honestly a forgettable track. I mean it’s fine just pretty forgettable in my opinion. Still a decent track just not one I’d pick out to re-listen to. After that is Back Again with Snoop Dogg, which is a pretty good listen. Snoops feature entertained me on here. Solid Track. Then One Foot In with Stove God Cooks brings another highlight to the album, where Benny once again speaks on his past of having one foot in the rap game and one foot in the streets.

Stove God’s verse is very quality as well, making this one another highlight on the album. Buffalo Kitchen Club with Armani Caeser follows this track, and I do NOT like it. There aren’t many clever bars on this song and Benny and Caeser sound bored while rapping over the mind-numbingly repetitive beat. I know some people actually like this song, but for me, I just can’t see it. Luckily the follow-up song Pillow Talk & Slander brings another quality song where Babyface Ray and Jadakiss bring in two good features to add onto another nice performance from Benny. He carries the detailed bars into the next song, How to Rap, where he once again effortlessly flows over the beat as he writes about essentially how to become big in the rap game from his experience. This is another one of my favorites from the album and just gets better with repeat listens. Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine join Benny for Griselda Express, which made me excited when I initially saw it, BUT it let me down. Every other song with these three is crafted beautifully, but this became the first one that I didn’t like. Gunn and Conway sound so off, the song doesn’t sound mixed well, and overall wasn’t a great listen. I’d much rather go listen to George Bondo or John Woo Flick, which are much better tracks from this trio. The last track, Big Tymers, with Peezy, closes out the album in a decent way. I don’t love it or hate it, it’s rather lifeless but I think that was the intention so if you think of it like that, it works just fine.

Overall, Benny the Butcher put out a very quality first album with Def Jam, that any fan of rap would like. Even if you aren’t into rap, this is still an album to listen to, as Benny is in his best form on many of these tracks. While there are some songs I’d skip when going back through it, I enjoyed this album. Feeling a solid 7.5/10 on Everybody Can’t Go.