Benny The Butcher: The long-awaited 'Everybody Can't Go' Def Jam debut has arrived

It’s clear when it comes to delivering memorable lines and solid production, hip-hop artist Benny The Butcher always impresses. So getting a full-fledged Everybody Can’t Go studio album? Super tough.

Benny The Butcher’s ‘Everybody Can’t Go’ album has arrived

Loaded with guest features and the New York rapper’s signature bars, it’s all eyes and ears on what Benny is cooking up.

Benny The Butcher, the Grammy-Nominated and Emmy-Award-winning member of Buffalo’s acclaimed Griselda collective, proudly presents his highly-anticipated new album, EVERYBODY CAN’T GO, out now via Def Jam Recordings. Listen HERE.

EVERYBODY CAN’T GO consists of 12 powerhouse tracks, telling real and raw stories, sharing hard-earned wisdom, and offering up one trunk-rattling banger after another. The opener “Jermanie’s Graduation” hinges on a glassy piano melody and sparse orchestration. Benny The Butcher takes it back to the beginning and paints a vivid picture of his come-up, “I lived with a mother who struggled through addiction. I know every side to drug abuse.” On “Pillow Talk & Slander,” string loops swoon beneath a rap masterclass by Benny The Butcher, Jadakiss, and Babyface Ray. Then, there’s the raucous “Griselda Express” featuring Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Rick Hyde. This knockout posse cut sees this elite cohort go and “turn the board room to Satriale’s.” The ride concludes with the introspective “Big Tymers” featuring Peezy, as Benny takes stock of how far he’s come over a tense beat and ominous production as he proclaims, “I got it out the mud how you gonna tell me to be humble?” 

Earlier this month, he amplified anticipation for EVERYBODY CAN’T GO with “BRON.” Earning unanimous acclaim, The FADER declared, “The new track is a stone-cold victory lap, chock-full of basketball metaphors and unabashed flexes that sound even more celebratory over Hit-Boy’s horn-heavy instrumental.” Stereogum applauded, “Benny sounds effortless on the track, putting some slick hesitation in his flow and talking some inventive shit.” Rap Radar highlighted how “The Griselda rapper preaches his winning mentality,” and HotNewHipHop put it best, “Benny dominates the pen game like LeBron does on the court.”
 
It also boasts recent anthem “One Foot In” ft. Stove God Cooks, produced by HIT-BOY. Beyond racking up 441K Spotify streams and 524K YouTube views on the music video, the latter incited critical applause. Stereogum noted, “Benny’s new single “One Foot In” is all about existing in the music business and the criminal underworld at the same time — a difficult proposition for anyone.” Clash professed, “‘One Foot In’ goes hard from the first note to last,” and REVOLT highlighted how “the track gives fans a vivid look into the Buffalo emcee’s dark past.” Brooklyn Vegan put it best, “Everyone’s in top form on this one. It’s gritty and gleaming all at once, with a hook you’ll be humming after one listen and verses from Benny and Stove God that find them going as hard as ever.” Listen HERE.

Benny set off his Def Jam era with “Big Dog” featuring Lil Wayne. “Big Dog” has already amassed 3.2 million Spotify streams and counting, in addition to 2.5 million YouTube views on the music video. It earned widespread critical acclaim as The FADER praised how “they are clearly having fun with their bars.” Stereogum raved, “Sometimes, Benny The Butcher and Lil Wayne get together to rip an Alchemist beat to pieces.” Brooklyn Vegan proclaimed, “It finds the Butcher’s boom bap revival sounding as gritty and alluring as ever.”

The Butcher has returned….

ABOUT BENNY THE BUTCHER:
Benny The Butcher’s flow might be the only thing colder than the winter in his native Buffalo, NY. He realized his destiny at just 10 years old, honing his lyricism with wisdom and wit. He quietly established himself as one of the most elite rappers in the game with a series of mixtapes under the moniker of B.E.N.N.Y. During 2014 he joined forces with his cousins Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, to form the trio known as Griselda. The group flipped the game upside down as Benny prolifically dropped solo projects, including My First Brick and Butcher On Steroids with DJ Green Lantern. 2018 saw Benny reach critical mass with Tana Talk 3, paving the way for the tastemaker-approved Burden of Proof in 2020. The latter cracked the Top 30 of the Billboard 200 anchored by “Legend,” and “New Streets.” He leveled up again to another stratosphere in 2022 with Tana Talk 4, debuting in the Top 25 of the Billboard 200 and spawning the hit single “Johnny P’s Caddy” [feat. J. Cole]. The single reached gold status, vaulted onto the Billboard Hot 100 and tallied over 100 million streams and counting. However, he comes out swinging in 2024. Benny’s icy flow, infectious hooks, and irresistible sense of soul drive his 2024 opus, EVERYBODY CAN’T GO [Def Jam Recordings]. The Butcher is back, and the bars cut deep. Beware.

You can now purchase, stream, add and favorite Everbody Can’t Go at your preferred DSP: https://bennythebutcher.lnk.to/EverybodyCantGo

Everybody Can’t Go TRACKLISTING:

Jermaine’s Graduation (Prod The Alchemist)

Bron (Prod Hit-Boy)

Big Dog FEAT Lil Wayne (Prod The Alchemist)

Everybody Can’t Go FEAT Kyle Banks (Prod Hit-Boy)

TMVTL (Prod The Alchemist)

Back Again FEAT Snoop Dogg (Prod Hit-Boy)

One Foot In FEAT Stove God Cooks (Prod Hit-Boy)

Buffalo Kitchen Club FEAT Armani Caesar (Prod The Alchemist)

Pillow Talk & Slander FEAT Jadakiss & Babyface Ray (Prod Hit-Boy)

How To Rap (Prod Hit-Boy)

Griselda Express FEAT Conway The Machine, Westside Gunn & Rick Hyde (Prod The Alchemist)

Big Tymers FEAT Peezy (Prod Hit-Boy)

Westside Gunn: A full-hour long Apple Music 1 interview with Zane Lowe is a Griselda dream

Westside Gunn has plenty to talk about and a quick radio visit just doesn’t cut it. So what better way to geek out over the newly released And Then You Pray For Me than chopping it up with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe?

Westside Gunn chopping it up with Zane Lowe for an hour is purely awesome

More than an hour of awesomeness, it’s all types of tap in vibes for the Gunn day ones. From dishing on recording his entire album overseas to having to make a disconnection to some serious supporters. Peep the highlights and keep scrolling for the full-fledged interview.

Westside Gunn on His New Album ‘And Then You Pray For Me’...

It's a history lesson. It's just different energy right now with me, man. You see, I'm glowing right now. It's just where I'm at in life, you know what I'm saying? I made this whole album overseas, so it was just like… Just country hop and just energy. That's why it just sounds like that. That's staying at Bulgari. That's staying at the Ritz. That's staying at the Waldorf, that's staying at the Four Seasons… it was all intentional. You know what I mean? It was all by design. 

Westside Gunn on Elevating...

I just wanted to do something different. I did what I did for a decade. People might only heard of Griselda maybe the last couple of years, but I've been doing this since 2012. You know what I'm saying. So it was like, now where I'm at in life, just mature, just grown, just being a better man all the way around, now I'm getting the fashion show invites finally. I turned into a super fly guy. You know what I'm saying?

Westside Gunn on Disappointing Diehard Griselda Boom Bap Fans...

I kind of left like a lot of the die-hard, Griselda, Boom Bap fans that felt like they kind of disappointed in me. You know what I'm saying? But that's the thing. It's a selfish way of thinking. It's like, you just want me for just only what you want me for. You only love me for that, so you don't love me as Westside Gunn, the man. You just love me. You know what I'm saying? That's why it's like, if you don't love me as Westside Gunn, the man, why are you a fan? Because there's more to me than just me rapping on Boom Bap. You know what I'm saying? But I'm also doing it for the better. It's a bigger message, and it's a point at the end of all of this. We're just having fun, and we're spreading art. I feel like, if you loved me those whole ten years, I still gave you mama's prime time, just as an example. It's not going nowhere. You can play FLYGOD two times or you could play Babylon Bis, or you could play Kitchen Lights. You can play Jalen Rose with Body. You can play Revenge of Flips Leg with Rome Streets. It's more songs still for y'all better than everybody else out there.

Westside Gunn on Spreading Positivity…

…just wanting to get fly, be a father, and want to do better for yourself, and want to live the right way, not go out here and want to just be devilish and live the wrong way. It's like I really don't even do interviews, and people don't really see a lot of me. People have now, like within like the last week, you know what I'm saying? But it's like now I'm doing these interviews, because I want to just spread a positive message. You know what I'm saying? Man, just, just be yourself, man. It's more to the world. You know what I'm saying? And it's just like, "Man, do better, and try to show your kids the world.” The thing about me is, again, spreading a positive message. Even though Griselda had some of the grimiest lyrics you could think of in the last decade, the hardest beats you could think of in the last decade, there's never no fights at our show. You know what I'm saying? It's never no problems in the popup line. Everybody that come to a Griselda show or come support the popups or just be at a Griselda event, it's always love, it's always positivity.

Westside Gunn on Why He Stopped Reading Comments…

…you know what's crazy? I stopped reading the comments now. You know, sometimes I troll, you know what I mean? And talk trash, you know what I mean? Every now and then, because that's just me. I'm a funny guy, naturally. I'd never take it serious. The internet is just an illusion, but sometimes I just like to spiral on somebody that think they're funny, because I just like to stay sharp. You know what I mean? It's not serious though, but I really kind of like, just stop reading the comments on this one, because I did this one from the heart. I know what I did it for. I know the energy I was in. You can't expect me, again, to sound the same forever. I want to explore. 

Westside Gunn on Why The Story of Griselda is One of the Greatest Stories in Hip Hop…

I'm going to be honest, and I'm not just saying this because it's me, it's probably the greatest story in hip hop once people really like dig deep and really understand the story of us, because it starts all the way from the day we was born, because we're really family. So it starts back from when our mothers was born. When their mothers was born, because they're sisters. You know what I'm saying? So this story goes back to how we got here, is amazing, because we then went through, and mind you. You know, like I say, man, we're from East Side, Buffalo. We really never had nothing. Our city, really, never had light shine on it, but it's a grimy city. So, just the violence. And we're not young, so we lived through the crack era, we lived through the grimy nineties, just all of those different chapters of Hip Hop, you know what I'm saying? Because again, we're not young. I mean, a lot of these artists come up here, they was born in 2000. You know what I'm saying? They don't really know… I remember every part of Hip Hop. And I know a lot of stories in it, and I'm not just saying... I just think... I really feel like our story is amazing.

Westside Gunn on Receiving Support From The Late Virgil Abloh and His Continued Legacy…

He was re-Tweeting my music all the way back since 2016. See what I'm saying? With my Mr. T record or FLYGOD album, he re-Tweeted that one. He been on, you know what I'm saying? He put a lot of other people on. It's so many people that came up to me like, "Virgil put me on. Virgil put me on. Virgil..." Especially if they from Chicago, like the OGs. "Virgil put me on, Virgil put me on." So, it was just like the love, it was very mutual. You know what I'm saying? And I wish we could have done a lot more, but I think he left me with the best gift he could possibly leave me with. And that's how you got And Then You Pray for Me because when I went to fashion week this time, his spirit was there. You see what I'm saying? It was a difference. Yeah. He's too iconic. It's like... You know what I'm saying? And it was still so fresh, so you know how it is, it's just like right now it's the... People are not going to even give me my flowers yet because it's still... We are in real time.

Westside Gunn on What He Respects About Rick Ross…

I respect that man. You know what I'm saying? I've always respected him. I thought even from being in the south, because we all students of the game. Like I said, I've been here since the beginning, you know what I'm saying. And especially being from the south and Miami, how Ross always approached a record... Being from Miami. Let's not forget at that time, it was nobody, especially from the South that approached it the way he did. Because even when TI, was out and Jeezy was out, they didn't approach it like Ross. Ross approached it with more style, more lyrical, you know what I mean? Capabilities with it. Just like...It was like he was from New York, you know what I'm saying? That's how he approached it. He studied the East Coast MCs, like the greats. And was just like put them in a blender and just put his own twist to it, mixed with the trap, because that's the thing. He was talking about the same trap content that TI and Jeezy was rapping about, but he put the New York twist on it…

Westside Gunn on “KITCHEN LIGHTS”…

It only been out five days, but this song is a hip hop classic. That's what I'm saying, it's not even out one week. Five years from now, people going to be playing Kitchen Lights. 10 years from now, people is going to be playing Kitchen Lights. The video is not even out yet. Kitchen Lights is still about to get legs.

Westside Gunn on Opening a Hibachi Restaurant in Buffalo…

I actually have a silent business venture with a restaurant going on right now, but we haven't really spoke on it yet publicly, but it's a hibachi restaurant. Because that's my favorite. It was actually my favorite restaurant, so I said, "Hey ..." Nudged them, like, "Look ..." I wanted to open up one in Buffalo, because we only have one hibachi restaurant in Buffalo. And I had the opportunity to get a ... It went out of business ever since COVID, and nobody really took over the space, because it cost so much a month, but I had the opportunity ...This is how I even got into it. I had the opportunity to get the space. And I was just like, I don't know what I can do with this space, it's too big. What restaurant I'm going to have? Buffalo's a food city, it's in the top 10 cities in the world, National Geographic…Buffalo food is amazing. So I'm like, I'm not in the food business, what can I really do? But I had the opportunity to get this space, so it just made me think, my city do love me, what would I do? Oh, damn, we need a hibachi restaurant.

Westside Gunn on the Possibility of Exploring Film Work…

I feel like that's where we're heading to, without a shadow of a doubt. I think film is the next big thing for me. The last month, maybe month and a half, of me promoting the album, once I put the date out there, people been seeing me a lot more. A lot more, a lot more, a lot more. And I always kind of been reserved. I always love for Benny to do it, and I always loved for Conway to do it, and I always loved for Armani to do it, because she's beautiful, and I always wanted the world to see Armani. But, me, I always kind of wanted to chill. It's like, if you know, you know. I don't have to be on the scene. Like I said, I always approached it differently. I never made music for the money. I never said, "Hey, I need to be on the radio." I never say, "Hey, I needed to be in the club." I never had to sell my soul in this shit. I never had to go out my comfort zone. I always been me in this. Now, I'm just super blessed, people starting to really take notice, now that I've been pushing this album. And it's like, now that I'm here, let me show y'all why people been respecting Westside Gunn for so long, because some people just don't know. 

Westside Gunn on What Fans Can Expect in the Future…

If I want to make a song with Alchemist today, I can. If I want to make a song with Metro Boomin tomorrow, I can. If I want to hit up Pierre, I can. If I want to hit up Sonny Digital, I can. But if I want to hit Pete Rock, I can. So that's what I'm about to give you from now on, and that's what I'm saying. It's not necessarily making whole albums. I'm just about to give you actually more music, because it's like now when I cook it, I'm giving it to you. I'm giving you actually more Westside Gunn, because the energy I have right now, you have to feel it. You have to feel it while it's in me right now, and I want to give the people this energy. You're going to get a Westside Gunn that you've never seen before, and I've already did the impossible at least 100 times.

Westside Gunn: The New York rap heavyweight reminds us how Griselda low-key blew up

Bragging rights much? There’s not much Westside Gunn can huff and puff about. The rap heavyweight continues to bless the culture with frequent contributions and reflects back on how his dream turned into a reality.

Westside Gunn reflects on the Griselda glow up

Gunn hit up his Instagram page and didn’t hold back with a snapshot of himself alongside longtime pal Benny The Butcher. Along with geeking out over their success, Westside remembered when the only one believing in his dream was himself.

‘Adding some new ART to my walls courtesy of the best fans in the world 🤲🏽🤲🏽 Thanks to everyone who supported @getbennyft @realcoleworld “JOHNNYS PS CADDY” prod by @alanthechemist

I remember when MFs thought I was buggin and saying none of this would ever work … only thing they forgot was I was the illest in the world without Rap, & I knew my family was the illest rappers in the world and then that’s when @griseldarecords was born, it took a lil time bc of no resources in Buffalo but GOD and hard work we put ourselves in position, this plaque is for MACHINEGUN BLACK & DJ SHAY we miss y’all everyday… A WIN FOR THE UNDERGROUND AND UNDERDOG 🦂🐐🖼️ THANK YOU BUZZ #theALMIGHTY #GXFR #ART #CULTURE#SUPERFLYGOD #theBUTCHER #ANDTHENYOUPRAYFORME#BUFFALOKIDS’

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Conway The Machine: The new 'Drumwork The Album' is officially streaming everywhere

It’s a New Music Friday and forget just hearing a new tune, it’s a full-fledged studio album for all you Conway The Machine fans. The hip-hop lyricist comes through with his highly-anticipated Drumwork The Album studio project.

Conway The Machine’s new compilation album is officially streaming

Whether you’re here to hear more Conway bars or want to see the talent he’s highlighting, it’s all stacked up on a 13-track album. Tap in.

The promised Drumwork takeover is in full effect, as Conway The Machine returned with Won’t He Do It, joined Jae Skeese for their collaborative project Pain Provided Profit, and Jae Skeese’ released his Drumwork debut album Abolished Uncertainties. 

Now, Conway offers the first official Drumwork label compilation album, Conway The Machine Presents: Drumwork The Album. 

Conway The Machine Presents: Drumwork The Album features appearances from Conway The Machine, and Drumwork’s hungry young shooters Jae Skeese, 7xvethegenius, Goosebytheway, SK Da King, and Shots Almigh, with additional contributions from Benny The Butcher, Rome Streetz, 38 Spesh, Heem, ELcamino, D.Smoke, & Bangladesh.

Michael Rubin: Of course JAY-Z, Beyoncé, Odell Beckham Jr. and more attended the epic White Party

It might be an all-black everything flex for me in my real life but if there’s one day out of the year it’s about the all-white glow up, it’s definitely when entrepreneur Michael Rubin throws his annual White Party with decked-out mega superstars in the Hamptons.

Michael Rubin’s White Party had every major superstar celebrity you can imagine

From sports and music icons to Hollywood game-changers, Rubin had the biggest people in the world all enjoying the sweet life at his annual New York hot spot. As expected, the photos all come courtesy of Michael Rubin and his amazing team. Major credit to Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin)!

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin and Camille Fishel hosted their annual exclusive and star-studded white party at their home in the Hamptons on Monday, July 3 to celebrate Independence Day.

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Dozens of celebrities were on hand for the party including: Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Travis Scott, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kevin Hart, DJ Khaled, Tom Brady, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Tobias Harris, Kylian Mbappe, Odell Beckham Jr., Joe Burrow, Micah Parsons, Damar Hamlin, Dez Bryant, C.J. Stroud, Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg, David and Nicole Tepper, Dean Spanos, Emily Ratajkowski, David Adelman, Kenny Chesney Jed York, Josh Harris, David Blitzer and The Chainsmokers.

Usher and Ne-Yo took the stage for impromptu musical performances during the party. Kevin Hart was pulled on stage by Usher to take shots of Gran Coramino Tequlia with everyone to celebrate his July 6 birthday. Travis Scott, Jack Harlow and Druski all took turns taking over the DJ booth to keep the party going.

7xvethegenius: The mighty DJ Green Lantern returns with 'The Genius Tape'

Sometimes you just need hard-hitting albums to bless your New Music Friday and fortunately, 7xvethegenius comes to the rescue with a much-needed DJ Green Lantern-assisted The Genius Tape studio effort. Spoiler alert? It’s must-hear.

7xvethegenius and DJ Green Lantern connect for ‘The Genius Tape’

Clocking in at just 28 minutes, you can stream the entire project during a cardio set but factoring in the replay value of the album? Definitely turn a few laps into a marathon.

When she appeared on Conway The Machine’s “Crack In The Ninety’s” from his From King To A GOD Deluxe project, it served for many as a formal introduction to the lyrical dynamo and multi-faceted artist known as 7xvethegenius.  The intrigue was furthered when Conway brought her out to perform on Tidal’s exclusive Griselda Holiday Concert. 

Now that the rising emcee has your attention, and before she releases her Drumwork Records debut this summer, 7xvethegenius joins forces with DJ Green Lantern and puts her talents as an artist and storyteller on full-display with their new collaborative drop The Genius Tape.

Born in Buffalo, NY’s Eastside (she also has a deep connection with Atlanta’s music scene, as she spent most of her young adult life in the area before relocating to Buffalo in 2018) 7xve is now an integral component of Conway’s Drumwork Records imprint; and her buzz only continues to intensify.  Over the last year, 7xve has released a well-received EP (Self 7Xve 2), linked up with frequent collaborator Che Noir for “Ladies Brunch” (which also featured Armani Caesar) and "Veracruz" from Che’s recently released Noir Or Never, released an “On The Radar” Freestyle Single and linked with her Drumwork squad for standout performances on Conway & Jae Skeese’s Pain Provided Profit (“Food”) and most recently the title track for Conway’s Won’t He Do It album. 

“My relationship with Conway is dope and I’ve known him for what feels like forever now.  Some of the people he talks about in his songs are my relatives.  I started recording at DJ Shay’s (RIP!) studio and Conway and Benny were already working there” 7xve recalls.  Being signed to one of the greatest rappers of all time, I’ve been able to learn a lot and it’s pushed my pen to even greater heights” 7xve asserts.

7xve’s ascension has also spurred quite a bit of social media conversation about her artist name and how to pronounce it; for the record, it’s pronounced Love The Genius. “I encourage everyone to research and get into the meaning of the number 7.  The x is really there because I didn’t like how the o looked next to the 7 aesthetically” she laughed.  “The meaning of “7” and the definition of what love is, is everything I try to represent in my music and life.” 

Produced in its entirety by DJ Green Lantern, The Genius Tape, showcases 7xve’s elite lyricism, and the duo’s combined creativity and conceptualization.  The Genius Tape features appearances from Conway The Machine, Rome Streetz, Che Noir, AA Rashid & TF.

7xvethegenius & DJ Green Lantern’s The Genius Tape is now available at all DSP’s.   

Loveboat Luciano: DJ Clue and Benny The Butcher link up on the '2nd Strike' song

It’s hard not to geek out when you hear the signature DJ Clue drops. So of course hip-hop artist Loveboat Luciano comes correct with help from the legendary New York deejay and Griselda’s Benny the Butcher for their new ‘2nd Strike’ song.

Loveboat Luciano teams with DJ Clue and Benny the Butcher for ‘2nd Strike’

The song hits hard and gives you an idea what’s coming together for the upcoming Parole studio project. The hype is only growing and LL delivers as always.

BIG BSF and the Buffalo Kids are back. After releasing his debut BSF project IBTS2 (Institutionalized By The Streets 2) in 2020, Loveboat Luciano has since been prominently featured and platformed on every BSF project since his initiation. 

Now, Boat has announced his sophomore BSF project, Parole, and with it also released the album’s first single, “2nd Strike,” with his BSF Capo Benny The Butcher, with additional sh*t talking courtesy of the legendary DJ Clue.   

Loveboat Luciano’s Parole features collaborations with Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Dave East, Che Noir, and his BSF brethren Rick Hyde, Heem and ElCamino.

Loveboat Luciano’s Parole will be released on 6-23-23 via BS Records. 

Conway The Machine: Injuries have officially sidelined everyone's favorite Buffalo rapper

Get well soon, Conway The Machine. The hip-hop heavyweight comes through with a crushing update on his health revealing injuries have him down for the count and having to reschedule a new tour run.

Conway The Machine keeps it 100 on his injuries

Connie hit up his Instagram page and even shared a snapshot of himself in a hospital bed. He kept things 100 and even promised to make things right with anyone with purchased concert tickets.

‘The results are in 🤦🏿‍♂️ I have a Fractured right tibia, dislocated kneecap, ANNNNND the album of the year tho! 🙌🏾😂

But In all seriousness tho, anyone that knows me knows there’s nothing I love to do more than bein up on that stage! I can’t lie I’m super disappointed that I have to postpone the WHDi tour for a little bit, because I was really looking forward to goin on those stages and rocking this WHDI shit for y’all live. However I am in good spirits and I’m only looking at it as just a minor lil setback for a MAJOR COMEBACK! No stress!!

If u already bought tickets they’ll be honored at the later dates for sure! More updates coming this week. I appreciate all the love and concern for my well-being, love y’all 🙌🏾’

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Heem: The new 'From The Cradle To The Game' album hits from start to finish

Is Upstate New York in the building? Well, how about on the site? Regardless of your physical location, it’s all about the Big Apple vibes and why not take it a few hours up north with Buffalo’s own Heem coming through with his new From The Cradle To The Game album.

Heem’s new studio album has officially arrived

Whether you’re intrigued by the artwork or need to hear the LP from start to finish, Heem has you covered with the jam-packed studio effort and solid collaborations from everyone including Benny The Butcher and Styles P plus Conway The Machine.

Life begins at birth and ends at death.  In between, we play its game.  Buffalo-born, BSF member, Heem, documents life in the trenches, with an acute attention to detail, unfiltered honesty, and a sharp sense of humor.  Heem depicts moments of pain, transformation, and triumph with his sophomore BSF project, and new full-length LP, From The Cradle To The Game, (BSF/MNRK) which is now available. 

Thriving in his closer role, Heem put a bow on BSF’s 2020 with his Long Story Short project with Green Lantern & DJ Shay.  Curated and championed by the late, great DJ Shay and Hosted by DJ Green Lantern, Long Story Short featured appearances from Benny The Butcher, Rick Hyde & Boldy James, along with production from DJ Shay, Jansport J, and DJ Green Lantern.  More recently, Heem appeared on the standout track from BSF’s Long Live DJ Shay project, “Times Is Rough,” which also featured Benny The Butcher and Rick Hyde and was produced by DJ Premier.   

From The Cradle To The Game features appearances and production from Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Stove God Cooks, Styles P Jansport J, DJ Green Lantern, and the Black Soprano Family.  “My life is music” Heem explains.  There’s so much truth.  I’ve gone through a lot, and the title of my album is named after these real-life experiences.”  Along the way, Heem assembled what would eventually become From The Cradle To The Game.  “I came up a good child, went over the line, and jumped into the game” Heem observes.  “I went from the street game to the rap game.  I’m a little more seasoned, and this is ready to go.  Now, it’s all over” he grins. 

“Heem is the heart of BSF; when you hear him spit you automatically believe it” Benny The Butcher adds. 

More than just an album drop, how about a fire music video, too? Hang tight.

To celebrate the release of From The Cradle To The Game, Heem also released a new visual for “Mob Business,” which features BSF Capo Benny The Butcher and Styles P.

In addition to releasing From The Cradle To The Game, Heem is also on the road supporting his BSF family member Benny The Butcher and his Thank God I Made It Tour; and will also be supporting on the International leg of the tour as well; with stops in Ireland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Poland and more. 

Conway The Machine: Buffalo's own and Jae Skeese's 'Pain Provided Profit' album is must-hear

Need some witty and hard-hitting lyrics in your life again? Look no further than what Conway The Machine and Jae Skeese is serving up coming courtesy of their new Pain Provided Profit album.

Conway The Machine and Jae Skeese’s new album is must-hear

Jae and Con deliver must-hear anthems on their newly released project. While it’s less than 10 songs in total, each one slaps.

The first signee to Conway The Machine’s Drumwork Music Group imprint, Jae Skeese appeared on two songs on the deluxe version of Conway The Machine’s From King To A GOD, and the first single, “Blood Roses,” from La Maquina.  Skeese continued his ascent by not only appearing (“Drumwork” with fellow signee 7xvethegenius) on Conway’s Shady Records debut album God Don’t Make Mistakes but also by contributing to the album’s rollout, as Skeese murked two different freestyles alongside Conway on Bootleg Kev and LA Leakers. 

After finishing up his recent sold-out Reject Mania European tour dates, and announcing his own forthcoming solo album, Won’t He Do It, Conway The Machine’s Drumwork Records Spring takeover continues with, Pain Provided Profit, his collaborative project with Jae Skeese, which is now available.    

Pain Provided Profit is the standard-bearer for what Drumwork Records values are at the core level; creating street-certified art made explicitly for the culture at large. 

Conway The Machine & Jae Skeese’s Pain Provided Profit is now available at all DSP’s via Drumwork Music Group/EMPIRE.

Westside Gunn has the best reason for staying off social media the past 40 days

Sometimes social media needs a break, right? Turns out Griselda’s Westside Gunn had the best reason ever to fall back and get things right behind the scenes.

Westside Gunn took a month off to get right-right

Gunn hit up his Instagram page with his first post in weeks. Westside acknowledged the need to tighten up his fashion-creating goals and music-making sparked his need to go vanish mode.

‘40Days 40 Nights… SUPER FLYGOD has RISEN!!!

For the Past month I’ve been living overseas learning and building becoming the best designer I could possibly be, making my new album “& THEN U PRAY FOR ME” and traveling with my son FLYGOD JR. I haven’t been on social media, I’ve been living a healthy, sucka free life and I just have a new energy.. I wanna thank the fans for there concerns and truthfully I feel better than I ever have… stronger, smarter!!! I can’t wait to show u the new designs, drop the new music, and see the curations I’ve been putting together… GOD IS THE GREATEST 🤲🏽 now it’s “SUPER FLYGOD” WSGUNN doesn’t even exist anymore more 😂😂 I LOVE YALL 🐐🦂⚖️ #PRAISEBOTH #ICON #GXFR #FLYGOD#CURATOR #ART #MASTERMIND
📷 @finflint’

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Busta Rhymes goes past, present and future with the ultimate 'Slap'

New York rapper Busta Rhymes is back-back and ready to ‘Slap’ anyone in his way. The hip-hop veteran finally delivers new music in the form of his newest audio gem in recent memory with help courtesy of Conway The Machine and Big Daddy Kane.

Busta Rhymes holds New York down with his new ‘Slap’ anthem

The Big Apple native holds both the city and Upstate New York down with his newest banger. From the audio appeal to the visual impact? It slaps.

Today, Busta Rhymes returns with a new single and music video for “Slap” featuring Buffalo recording-artist Conway the Machine and one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hip hop Big Daddy Kane via The Conglomerate Entertainment, Inc./EMPIRE.

In a dramatic entrance, Rhymes, Conway the Machine, and Big Daddy Kane step out of midnight black Maybach’s with an introduction by Funkmaster Flex. Directed by Drefilms and Rhymes, the visuals capture their New York City takeover as they rap over a classic cypher instrumental on loop. Rhymes opens “Slap” with a shout out paying respects to Biz Markie and PnB Rock ahead of his show stopping verse as he ends with, “Somebody polish my crown and put it back on my m*therf*kcin’ [head].” Conway the Machine acknowledges his impactful influence on music as he raps, “Hall of Fame and we just analyzing my old stats; Gliding on those tracks, my catalog in its entirety all slap.” Big Daddy Kane also hammers home his legendary status as he jumps in with, “In this story no one goes after me, I ain't the track so you hear last from me, don’t ask me to pass the mic that’s blasphemy.” “Slap” sets as a reminder to the current generation of rappers -- the trio are untouchable and will forever be respected as hip hop legends. 

It’s more than a one and done for Rhymes. He’s staying extra busy these days touring the nation and having ample respect placed on his name.

Most recently, Rhymes toured alongside Wu-Tang Clan & Nas for their North American ‘NY State Of Mind Tour’ making stops at and guest starred on Dave Chappelle’s sold out Radio City Hall Music Hall tour. This past September, Rhymes was honored at the BMI Hip-Hop Awards receiving the Icon Award signifying his unique and unmatched influence on generations. Rhymes released his latest albumExtinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God  on October 30, 2020 achieving his 7th Top 10 record on Billboard’s 200 list which also peaked at #4 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. A star-studded follow up to his seminal 1998 three-time Grammy nominated, RIAA Certified Platinum album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front.

Benny The Butcher's Welcome to the States is an emotional eye-opener

New York rapper Benny The Butcher is doing his part to not only remember the victims of the tragic Buffalo mass shooting but also raise money for those impacted. The hip-hop artist’s ‘Welcome to the States’ is eye-opening and doesn’t hold back.

Benny The Butcher’s Welcome to the States is a must-hear and see

The Upstate New York native delivers on all levels with his new tune. The lyrics connect and the visual is even more emotionally and politically-driven.

Today, Benny The Butcher released a new politically-charged single and video, “Welcome To The States,” with the sole aim to raise money for those affected by the tragic mass shooting that took place at the Tops Supermarket in his hometown of Buffalo, NY on May 14th, 2022.

To support the victims of the Buffalo Mass Shooting, Benny is donating 100% of the profits from the sale of a limited edition Pray For Buffalo T-Shirt to the “Buffalo 5-14 Survivors Fund.”  The limited-edition Pray For Buffalo T-Shirt can be purchased here: https://www.blacksopranofamily.com/. 

The “Buffalo Survivors Fund,” established by the National Compassion Fund, in partnership with Top’s Supermarkets, has raised 2.5 million dollars to date; all of which is being paid directly to the victims and survivors of the mass shooting.

Conway The Machine finally drops 'God Don't Make Mistakes'

Griselda heads stand up. Conway The Machine has finally come through in epic fashion with the long-awaited rollout to his new God Don’t Make Mistakes studio album and his formal Shady Records debut.

Conway The Machine’s ‘God Don’t Make Mistakes’ album is here

After mounted anticipation, Conway hit the green light on releasing his new LP Friday (February 25) and the follow-up to 2020’s From King To A GOD.

God Don’t Make Mistakes is not only Conway The Machine’s major-label debut, it’s also his de-facto origin story. To touch souls, you must first reveal your own, and listening to Conway’s God Don’t Make Mistakesis akin to reading entries in his notes app; vulnerable and reflective; questioning decisions, and wrestling with his own demons and inner-turmoil, while simultaneously celebrating life, love, and loss. It’s an autobiographical window into Conway’s soul; the trails, the obstacles, the tribulations, and the trauma from a shooting that resulted in him being shot in the head, and with it, the debilitating Bells Palsy diagnosis that he has suffered from since, which resulted in him having to re-learn how to speak and completely reinventing the way he would rap. It’s a thoroughly captivating timeline, and one that you can’t help but become immersed in; it’s intimately Conway The Machine; because God Don’t Make Mistakes.

It’s all about the fans

Conway has since issued a statement on the importance of getting the new LP out to the masses and - most notably - his true day ones.

“It was tough opening up doors that I haven’t opened up in a while.  This is my story and sharing it all with the world is different for me, but I was happy to do it” Conway states.  “I know fans will love it.”  

The non-stop Griselda grind

In just two years, Conway has remained committed to putting out studio fire and taking his talent to live performance stages and memorable spots on other artists’ studio albums.

The road to Conway The Machine’s Shady Records debut album has been eventful and incredibly redemptive.  His prelude project, From King To A GOD (2020), was universally hailed and received “Best Album Of The Year” accolades from influential outlets such as the New York Times, Complex, Pitchfork, Noisey, Hotnewhiphop & Uproxx among many other esteemed outlets.  Conway and Griselda’s run in 2020 was so epic, they took up acreage on Jay-Z's Yearly Tidal Playlist, Stereogum had to create an entirely separate year-end playlist just to chronicle their greatness and Conway capped off the year with his inventive NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

Building anticipation for God Don’t Make Mistakes, Conway’s 2021 included a rousing performance of “Scatterbrain” on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’ featuring J.I.D. and Ludacris, the honor of contributing a verse too, “Hood Blues,” which was selected as the lead-single for DMX’s posthumous album Exodus, a headlining performance at the Jay-Z curated ‘Made In America’ Festival, a collaborative single with Jay-Z and Jadakiss, “King Kong Riddim” (from The Harder They Fall OST) and a standout performance (“Keep My Spirit Alive”) on Kanye West’s DONDA.