- Benny the Butcher’s Tana Talk series has returned in its fourth iteration; the first in over three years. While I’ve become less interested in the Griselda collective due to oversaturation, Tana Talk 4 piqued my interest as the previous instalment was what originally put me on to the New York rapper. Like Tana Talk 3, 4 is primarily produced by The Alchemist and Daringer who provide hard-hitting, gritty production, typical of the coke-rap sub-genre. The project’s difference however comes in Benny’s attempts to be more mainstream through selecting guest artists with a wider appeal.
This wider appeal is immediate with opener Johnny P’s Caddy, chosen as the first single due to its J Cole feature. The track is certainly a classic and maybe the best thing either artist has done, as the two deliver stellar verses over Alchemist’s chopped up soul samples. Benny is right to compare himself to Rocky with effortless bars describing how the entire Griselda collective achieved success with ease. I have been critical of Cole for years, but I can’t deny that I believe him when he claims God chose him to rap, especially given how excellent his Einstein double entendre is.
“It’s crazy I got Al up this late” begins Benny as the drum-less chipmunk soul sample kicks into gear on Weekend in the Perry’s. It’s nice to hear Benny on something slightly more low-key as he raps about being such a revered drug dealer that his customers miss him now that he’s gone. I love it when a rapper dedicates an entire verse to playing around with one rhyme scheme which Boldy James delivers magnificently with the word ‘cigarette’ and continues with great descriptive bars like “David Blaine with the Press”.
Tyson vs. Ali is one of the slicker tracks on the project as Daringer brings glittery keys over punching drums, which makes sense, given the title. Just like the heavyweights, Benny and guest Griselda member Conway the Machine chafe at the constant comparisons of being in the same lane, despite bringing their own style to the game. Despite the two solid verses, the chorus is one of the weaker aspects of Tana Talk 4, its low-energy chants deliver only monotony.
If early Benny saw him in Rocky come up mode, then Thowy’s Revenge is definitely the Rocky 4 ‘against all odds’ mindset as Benny reflects on his past, but promises he still brings elements of the street lifestyle to how he raps and beats new challenges. Alchemist backs with something slightly unexpected in the form of a repeating trumpet fanfare that brings an almost regal quality to the track. The best bar is easily Benny comparing himself to Martha Stewart: they both cooked ‘chickens’ to get wealthy.
Mr. Chow Hall is a grittier closer with a sinister, cold production that reminds me of a modern day Mobb Deep. That makes sense, given the amount of work Alchemist did with the legendary group. Benny delivers with a singular verse that brings forth the most threatening gangster elements on the project. I particularly enjoy Benny’s dedication to not snitching, whether it be in a police line-up or while in hospital after being shot.
Tana Talk 4 is the strongest Benny project in a while with several tracks I’d consider ranking high in his catalogue. While I mostly prefer the Alchemist produced tracks over the Daringer ones, both producers manage to provide a consistent switch-up of high and low energy beats to support Benny’s subject matter. At its lowest, Tana Talk 4 relies on usual Griselda tricks to skate by, especially the track with Westside Gunn who I swear writes his verses to a formula. At its strongest however, it strives and succeeds, with Benny proving himself to be an extremely competitive and solid rapper, clearly ahead of the game when he wants to be.
- James Chadwick.