Last time we heard Benny the Butcher was on Excelsior, just two months ago, the mixtape, distributed by Black Soprano Family and featuring the likes of Styles P, Boldy James, P.R.E.M.O and more was a breath off fresh air when Benny the Bucther showcased that he was still in his bag, delivering high quality music, after he had been criticised following his Def Jam signing. Benny The Butcher has long worked alongside the very best in the industry, so doubting the artist always seemed odd to me.

Previous to Excelsior, Benny the Butcher had released Stabbed and Shot 2, alongside his acolyte, friend and business partner 38 Spesh; the project, which was highly anticipated after the first opus had received so much acclaim, delivered and had most wondering: is Benny the Butcher top 5 in the game right now? It’s now his fourth body of work in under a year. Summertime Butch was proof that Benny the Butcher was and still is a better lyricist than most of his competitors and his cynics. So could he deliver once more and start making even more noise than he was originally?

Things seemingly became clear that Benny the Butcher had not lost his hunger to rap when Summertime Butch was released , and his devotion towards Hip-Hop and his native city of Buffalo when the first few seconds of One Verse Butch could be heard, over a menacing piano instrumental. What people hadn’t anticipated was a sequel to the mixtape, and his fans were pleasantly surprised when Summer’ 25 came out a few weeks ago, which caught the attention within hip-hop, the single that preceded what would become then become the highly anticipated Summertime Butch 2. On Summer’ 25, Benny the Butcher talks about what the people have been demanding, whilst he was clear about what he really wanted: “People need a Griselda album, I need a bigger crib. […] Still hungry, wants to have a rapper for supper. […] It’s grimy outside, but you can still find me outside.”. Benny the Butcher’s intentions were clear from the get go, he’s coming for everyone. But he’s gonna call it how he sees it, without any hesitation.

Since January 2024’s Everybody Can’t Go was released under Def Jam, Benny the Butcher had emphasised on the album’s title, repeating that not everyone was able to go with him, towards the success and peaceful life he’s looking for. He repeated that phrase multiple times on Summertime Butch, and continues to do so on Summertime Butch 2. A statement he lives by, indicating that he perhaps has ideas of his own going forward, what those ideas might be is only up to Benny the Butcher, and his Black Soprano Family.

When listening to Summertime Butch 2 as a whole, there is a sense that the project is actually an oxymoron, behind the warm summer feeling of the mixtape’s title, there’s a darker undertone, and it immediately feels present on Jasmine’s, which feature Westside Gunn, with the mixing of the song feeling peculiar, there is a sense of eeriness looming over, with Daringer on production purposely creating this somber atmosphere, which is excellently done. The oxymoron being in how somber and menacing the project is, as opposed to a more colourful and warm body of work.

To have Westside Gunn appear on Summertime Butch was probably a non-negotiable for Benny the Butcher, given the theme of the mixtape, he and Daringer have produced classics over the years, and both artists embody exactly what people expect from the duo. The song is perfectly well crafted, with a slight interlude interrupting the track, Benny the Butcher hops on the beat, mentions doing better than a lot of rappers in the game, and talks about the state of rap. He’s totally aware he hasn’t made mainstream hits, and whilst he mentions his past, he’s not ashamed of what he has gone through, because that’s made him who he is today. “I’m just a rich n**** with a GED” he proclaims towards the end of the song.

This sense of eeriness continues, as we can hear on Hood on Fire, alongside Bruiser Wolf (who has had an incredible year, working with the likes of Curren$y and Harry Fraud).

On one hand, Bruiser Wolf’s unique style is intriguing, with humorous line, whilst Benny the Butcher is less ambiguous in his remarks, mentioning snakes, being in today’s top 5. He mentions being hated on, painting vivid conversations and remaining patient. The start of this project feels very eerie, with both instrumentals on Jasmine’s and Hood on Fire feeling rather minimalistic. Bruiser Wolf’s chorus is strong, and resonates on the very first listen.

The shift on Summertime Butch 2 comes on Told You So, produced by Mike Will Made It. The track feels a lot more melodic, Benny the Butcher mentioning still being a troublemaker, being a product of a deabeat father. He mentioned his father on Summertime Butch last year on The Blue Building, which then featured Amber Simone, where he says:

Drums finally landing on told you so, and it’s an absolute treat to hear. The song is very energetic, as is the rest of the tape, Benny the Butcher mentioning having told people he would be in this position, especially his teachers. He talks slanging powder, taking the pain and proving people wrong, closing the track by openly claiming he has so much love for all of it.

WHERE’S BUTCH SKIT:

Skit mentioning B.Dot and his lists, funny skit. Voiceover addressing benny the butcher, using wordplay with songs and artists’ imagery.

Why Would I, featuring G Herbo, is a very retrospective song, Benny the Butcher switches his flows, maintaining pressure and asserting himself as one of the finest lyricists in the game. “My shit go harder than the pavement, just name a artist who you favour, I put target on their faces” “Why would i ever believe she said that pussy for me, how could i ever forgive you n***** switching on me.” Benny the Butche mentions the people he has lost, G Herbo is the perfect pairing for The Butcher, Herbo mentions overcoming all the obstacles, and having the baddest bitch. “You switched on me, you telling people you love me, I know you don’t” as Benny the Butcher proclaims, is a song that will stay.

77 CLUB feels a lot more trap-like. Eerie but with a quicker tempo than the opening two tracks. Hi-hats and drums being maximised to Benny’s benefit, he rides the beat like it’s nothing. Lets it slow down. With vivid storytelling, he mentions immigrants, celebrating with his jewish lawyers, defending those who oppose different beliefs, with people accusing Benny the Butcher of being antisemtic.. He talks having dropped classics with both Harry Fraud and Hit-Boy, and brags about his girl making more money than WNBA players. 77 Club very much feels like a track where Benny the Butcher is showing depth, by opening up whilst still bragging about how much money his girls makes.

We mentioned OT The Real being part of the project, appearing on Gold Plated Leica, the pair, already worked together on Stabbed and Shot, much like Bruiser Wolf, it’s OT The Real’s uniqueness that standsout. OT The Real delivers a nice hook over a somber beat, before spitting real bars. he mentions money talks, trusting those closest and being the opposition. Gold plated leica is the longest track on the project, with Benny the Butcher dropping a second verse, mentioning game 4 during the Knicks and Boston Celtics series.

On In The Wall, featuring Bun B, Benny the Butcher continues to proclaim his love for rap, being a self-made millionaire, being judged for his melonin. Benny the Butcher talks about his history with going to jail, going to Houston and meeting women. Bun B mentions linking with The Butcher again, going all in this time, as opposed to how lowkey it was before. Bun B mentions people afraid of going up against him. Both mention dope dealing and the government not being able to tax what’s in the wall.

It wouldn’t be a BSF mixtape if Benny the Butcher didn’t show love for ElCamino, who appears on Pandoras, alongside Duckman. ElCamino opens the track by talking about how he and Benny put in the work when they were younger, advising young people to be smart. ElCamino uses retrospective wordplay. Duckman has a nice flow and verse. Benny the Butcher mentions not everyone being able to go, but he’s still trying to save a few, referring to previous body of work. Just because you say it on record don’t make it true”

The final song of the mixtape, Lo Lo’s is where Benny the Butcher proves once and for all that he can lyrically outperform most rappers who do this full-time. He mentions his jewelery, putting in the work and it’s clearly showed in the mixtape. He mentions his need and standards when it comes to women, whether they have an “ass” or a “J Lo face”.

The song goes crescendo, slows down, but Benny the Butcher goes hard and it feels as if he’s not about to stop. Summertime Butch 2 is proof that Benny the Butcher is one of the best in the game, with the project barely having any flows.