In this episode of Compound Conversations, Benny the Butcher discusses his journey from Buffalo to becoming a respected lyricist in street rap.
Here's a summary of the key topics:
Compound Vibe (0:48-1:27): Benny shares his thoughts on the new Compound location in Brooklyn, comparing its vibe to the original Bronx location and expressing a nostalgic feeling.
Buffalo Roots (1:48-3:10): He describes Buffalo as a small, diverse community with distinct areas and notes its unique "own world" atmosphere that doesn't feel like the rest of New York.
Family Pillars (3:44-5:19): Benny emphasizes the importance of family, discussing his upbringing with his parents and extensive family gatherings, highlighting how family has always been a significant part of his life.
Young Griselda (5:20-7:35): He reminisces about the early days of Griselda with Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, describing Wes's early curating and their shared love for music, exchanging CDs and tapes as kids.
Passion for Hip-Hop (7:36-10:37): Benny recounts his early exposure to hip-hop through his father, who would play music in his "clean caddy" and even had a DJ setup in the kitchen, providing Benny with a "real hip-hop lesson."
Patience and Work Ethic (10:39-14:17): Benny discusses his mindset of patience and trusting the plan, believing his turn would come within Griselda. He states that his patience and belief in the family's vision are the reasons for his success.
Learning and Balance (17:17-19:50): He talks about balancing his street life with being a student, noting his unique ability to excel in various aspects of his life. He mentions learning from a "plug" who had a college degree and other businesses, providing him with valuable knowledge.
Vulnerability in Music (19:19-21:59): Benny highlights his vulnerability in his music, sharing personal stories and experiences to let people know what he's truly been through, positioning himself as a storyteller and teacher.
Connection to Mob Culture (22:04-28:12): He explains the hip-hop community's attraction to Italian mob culture, relating it to the concept of "fly gangsters" and the family and loyalty aspects that resonate with them. He also shares personal experiences of meeting members of mob families while incarcerated.
Griselda's Impact (28:13-30:41): Benny discusses Griselda's rapid adoption into hip-hop and the comparison to Ghostface Killah's impact, emphasizing his role as the "closer" who brought validity to the collective.
Writing Process (30:41-32:02): He elaborates on his writing process, which involves coming into the studio with ideas and topics, and sometimes just a single powerful line, always striving for greatness in his lyrics.
the butcher