Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: Dr. Dre's The Chronic gave rise to such heavy-hitters as 'Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang' and 'Let Me Ride', but what about its many "reimaginings" over the years? With The Ghronic, released in 2023, West Coast rappers 38 Spesh and Conway The Machine can't be said to have laid down their own version more so than they did treat the Dre touchstone as a starting point, dropping a nine-track array of similar G-funk whistling lowrider bumps, readapted for the contemporary New Yorker, and yet with fresh lyrical themes and subject matters. Reissued two years later on green vinyl, after an initially white-sleeved run, the productions are ever clean and the flows lackadaisical. Features from Lloyd Banks, Che Noir, Benny The Butcher and Elcamino cement the bluffing rep of a brag-heavy machine duopoly.

Review: Griselda Records' own Benny The Butcher is a contemporary hip hop mainstay who has seen plenty of commercial success and critical acclaim. His The Plugs I Met features collaborations with Pusha T, Jadakiss, Conway, RJ Payne, Alchemist and Daringer and built on early success with a sounds that shows he is the embodiment of now. This specially extended version features some previously unreleased instrumentals, while the originals are beautiful soul drenched affairs with a subtle gospel feel and deep cut production. The guests all come through but don't detract from Benny The Butcher's singular sound.

Review: Benny On Steroids marks the true debut of Benny The Butcher, showcasing his talent over dark, hardcore boom bap beats entirely produced by DJ Green Lantern. This project stands out as one of the best Griselda releases, demonstrating Benny’s skill and improved beat selection. The album delivers a gritty street-level narrative of Benny’s past, painting vivid scenes of harsh street life with tough, gutter beats that exemplify true Hip-Hop. Benny’s flow is effortless, punctuating every syllable and creating an excellent Hip-Hop album. Standout tracks include 'Benny Vs. Carlito,' 'Fat Dom,' 'Change,' 'Blood Money,' and 'Whole Thing.' These tracks highlight Benny’s ability to balance mafioso themes with laid-back production, slowing his flow to emphasize his lyrical strength. Though the album features few guest appearances, 'Satriale’s' with El Camino and Conway adds solid verses. Overall, Benny On Steroids is a great introduction to Benny’s refined style and Griselda’s gritty nature.

Review: Smoke DZA and Benny The Butcher, two titans of New York hip-hop, join forces on this gritty and captivating album. Originally released in 2019, this offering is a testament to their lyrical prowess and undeniable chemistry, their verses weaving tales of street life and hustler anthems over the raw and soulful production of legendary beatmaker Pete Rock. Tracks like 'By Any Means' and 'Bullets' showcase their sharp wordplay and hard-hitting delivery, while collaborations with Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Styles P add further depth and intensity to the mix. This reissue, celebrating the album's fifth anniversary, not only brings this classic back to vinyl but also includes the previously unavailable Pete Rock instrumentals, offering a deeper dive into the sonic landscape of this collaborative masterpiece.