Benny The Butcher Drops “Excelsior” EP
Buffalo-born rapper Benny The Butcher has returned with a brand-new project titled Excelsior, a 7-track EP. Known for his uncompromising lyricism and vivid storytelling, Benny once again reminds fans of his position as one of hip-hop’s most authentic voices. The new project arrives just two months after the deluxe edition of Stabbed & Shot 2, his collaborative mixtape with fellow Black Soprano Family (BSF) member 38 Spesh.
The Road to Excelsior
Benny has kept busy in recent years, expanding both his solo catalog and collaborations under the BSF umbrella. With Everybody Can’t Go released in 2024 and the deluxe Stabbed & Shot 2 arriving in March 2025, it’s clear that Benny is in a prolific creative phase. While the Stabbed & Shot 2 deluxe included 18 tracks with appearances from Busta Rhymes and Dave East, Excelsior shifts focus to a more refined, introspective soundscape.
The EP was teased just a few days before release, catching fans by surprise. The excitement surrounding the drop highlights Benny’s influence and the strength of his connection with his audience. In an era where over-promotion often leads to under-delivery, Benny’s minimalist approach to marketing makes Excelsior stand out.
A Look Inside the EP
Excelsior contains seven tracks that delve deep into themes like survival, legacy, brotherhood, and authenticity. Each track is laced with Benny’s trademark realism—gritty bars about street life, growth, and the burdens of success. The EP is tightly packed but offers a wide spectrum of emotion and narrative.
The standout feature on “Duffel Bag Hottie’s Revenge” includes Boldy James, a frequent collaborator whose cold, calculating flow complements Benny’s raw cadence. “Toxic” featuring Styles P brings together two generations of street rap veterans, resulting in a track full of wisdom and scars.
Guest Appearances and Production
In addition to Boldy James and Styles P, Excelsior features Skylar Blatt, Premo, and Fuego Base. The production is sparse but rich in texture, leaning on soulful samples, boom-bap drums, and atmospheric loops that let Benny’s bars breathe. Each beat feels purpose-built to support storytelling rather than overshadow it.
This project sees Benny leaning further into the producer-curated sound that helped define Griselda’s rise. The beats mirror the emotional tones of the lyrics: grimy, resilient, and unapologetically East Coast.
Why Excelsior Stands Out
While short in length, Excelsior is dense with meaning. It’s a project that rewards repeated listens, thanks to Benny’s lyrical depth and emotional honesty. He isn’t just rhyming for shock value—he’s documenting. In many ways, this EP feels like a reflective chapter in a much larger story.
The project is also a refreshing break from the over-saturated trap-pop formula dominating mainstream rap. With no attempts to chase trends or water down his message, Benny sticks to what he knows: raw, powerful storytelling rooted in lived experience.
Reception and Fan Reactions
Initial reactions from fans and critics have been overwhelmingly positive. Social media lit up with praise for Benny’s consistency, with many calling Excelsior his most focused project since The Plugs I Met. While it may not dominate the charts in a conventional sense, it’s resonating deeply with fans who value substance over spectacle.
Streaming numbers have been strong on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, and the EP has sparked a resurgence in interest for Benny’s older work. Critics note the tight structure and strong thematic cohesion across tracks—something rare in today’s singles-driven market.
Benny The Butcher’s Evolution
One of the most compelling aspects of Benny’s career is his evolution. From his early days in Buffalo’s underground scene to becoming a central figure in the Griselda collective, Benny has built a reputation on integrity and craft. He doesn’t chase hits—he builds worlds with words.
His 2018 breakout Tana Talk 3 put him on the map, while subsequent projects like Burden of Proof and The Plugs I Met further established him as a force in lyric-driven hip-hop. With Excelsior, Benny shows he’s still climbing—refining his pen, curating stronger collaborations, and deepening his personal themes.
The Buffalo Renaissance
Buffalo’s hip-hop scene has long flown under the radar, but artists like Benny, Conway The Machine, and Westside Gunn have changed that narrative. They’ve created a movement rooted in lyricism, authenticity, and solidarity. BSF and Griselda have not only built successful solo careers—they’ve opened doors for countless others.
Excelsior serves as another chapter in this Buffalo renaissance. It reminds listeners that the city has something real to say, even if it’s far from the coastal limelight of LA or NYC.
What Makes Benny’s Music Timeless?
To understand Benny’s appeal is to understand hip-hop’s roots. His music isn’t just entertainment—it’s documentation. He raps with the urgency of someone who lived every bar. For listeners, his work is a time capsule of grit, pain, loyalty, and triumph.
That’s what makes his music evergreen. It doesn’t rely on trends or gimmicks. Like the best of Nas, Scarface, or Jay-Z, Benny crafts albums that hold up years later because they’re grounded in truth.
With Excelsior, Benny The Butcher delivers a raw, emotionally resonant project that serves both as a gift to his core fans and a reminder of his elite status in hip-hop. In just seven tracks, he paints a vivid picture of struggle, survival, and legacy.
This isn’t just another drop—it’s a statement. Benny remains one of the few artists committed to elevating the culture through authenticity. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, Excelsior offers something of lasting value.
