Benny the Butcher isn’t a rapper who needs much in the way of introduction. The Griselda Records don is now one of New York’s most recognizable voices even though he resides outside New York City’s five boroughs. Plugs I Met 2, the follow up to Benny The Butcher’s successful Plugs I Met mixtape, finds the Buffalo rapper continuing to explore familiar themes, detailing the fluctuating fortunes of an upstart hustler, following his moral compass from bleak beginnings to hardened resolve.
Benny’s always had an ear for beats that offset his gravelly voice and this time he enlists producer Harry Fraud to maintain a consistent tone throughout. It isn’t their first time working together, but on Plugs 2 they sound like a perfect match. Their styles combine to create an album that’s much brighter than his typical, bleak Buffalo sound. The light, breezy and soulful cuts are perfect for summer listening, while the lyrics are dark and rugged enough to keep you interested through the winter months.
For the most part, Benny The Butcher sticks to what he knows on this album. Although the project isn’t particularly long (only nine tracks), it doesn’t feel that way because it features Benny at his best, delivering the raw style he’s become known for. He brings you into the stories with his dexterous wordplay and then makes them relatable with his vivid storytelling ability.
Plugs I Met 2 is a natural extension of the ongoing resurgence of New York street rap and a prime example of what makes Benny so exciting. He’s not just continuing the legacy of New York hip-hop—he’s expanding it, uplifting its residual spirit with his own sense of rugged sonic adventure. Fittingly, the album features notable guest appearances from some of the finest street rappers around, including Fat Joe, 2 Chainz, French Montana and Jim Jones.
With Plugs I Met 2, Benny The Butcher has again staked a claim to the throne of rap. The rest of the industry would be wise to pay attention.
