Jeremie “Benny the Butcher” Pennick, a titan in the realm of boom-bap Hip-Hop, is gearing up for his Def Jam debut, Everybody Can’t Go.

For the Griselda veteran, Everybody Can’t Go marks a milestone in his career – signifying his transition from being independent to graduating to the majors. 

Signing with Def Jam Recordings in 2021, the move created shockwaves among his fanbase. However, from what I’ve heard so far, Everybody Can’t Go will satisfy even the harshest critic. 

It encapsulates the ethos of exclusivity, the harsh realities of street life, and the turbulence associated with ascending in the rap game, a narrative Benny has masterfully woven into his music. 

His previous appearance on the Drink Champs podcast sheds light on his trials, tribulations, and artistic growth, offering a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the life of a treasured Hip-Hop craftsman.

Scheduled Release Date

Slated for release on January 26, 2024, Benny’s major debut features production from Hip-Hop titans Hit-Boy and The Alchemist. Everybody Can’t Go was sonically polished by a slew of engineers, including David Kim, Fabian Marasciullo, Mike Bozzi, Bernie Grundman, and Jack Doutt. “Everybody Can’t Go” will be available on all streaming platforms.

Everybody Can’t Go Tracklist

As of now, the full tracklist of Everybody Can’t Go remains closely guarded. With 12 songs, the album promises a rich tapestry of narratives and beats that have become synonymous with Benny’s distinctive style. While the complete tracklist is under wraps, three singles have already made their mark.

These singles stand out on their own and signify Benny’s evolution as an artist. The collaboration with the renowned producer Hit-Boy on two of these tracks has fans particularly excited, reigniting the chemistry they witnessed in Benny’s 2020 release, “Burden of Proof.” This partnership between Benny and Hit-Boy has proven to be a potent mix of lyrical prowess and top-tier production, providing a tantalizing preview of the album’s depth and quality.

Singles from Everyone Can’t Go

BRON 

Released on January 12, 2024: This track, produced by Hit-Boy, is the latest single in rotation. “BRON,” as the name suggests, is an ode to the iconic stature of NBA star LeBron James and features an innovative flip of Pancho Bazzara’s “Ignoraste Mis Llagrimas,” creating a soundscape that blends filtered horns, punchy bass, and an eerie backing vocal, all underpinned by psychedelic-inspired guitars licks. 

“And I’m Bron // after the chip, I told my folks at home “So long”// I move my family and my bricks to a place where it’s warm // I’m back in championship condition, I can’t resist all this winning.”

The song is yet another lyrical showcase for Benny, filled with his signature witty wordplay and a flow that would make a dynasty-era Jay-Z proud.

Fans of the Hit-Boy collabo album, “Burden of Proof,” will find the instrumentation reminiscent of the album’s lead-off track, “Burden of Proof,” indicating a return to a winning formula – “The Butcher Coming N***a!“

Big Dog featuring Lil’ Wayne 

Released on November 3, 2023: Teaming up with the Alchemist and featuring a verse from Lil’ Wayne, “Big Dog” is a testament to Benny’s growth. The track’s reversed instrumentation creates a hypnotic effect, perfectly complementing Benny’s delivery pattern. 

This song is a nod to Benny’s earlier collaboration with the Alchemist, a relationship first revealed in Drink Champs Episode 312, Where Benny shared that The Alchemist kept him on a short leash when they first met, only letting him lay down one song in the studio. 

Lil Wayne doesn’t disappoint, either. His contribution is on par with his performance during the acclaimed Weezy mixtape era, with bars like: 

“B***hes on me like fleas // but I don’t need no bugs, bunny.” 

In this line, Lil Wayne demonstrates his trademark wordplay with a clever twist of phrases. The play on words with “fleas” and “bugs, bunny” is a witty double entendre, referencing both the persistence of admirers (likened to fleas) and cleverly alluding to his lack of interest in scoring any more leeches that won’t add value to his circle – capturing the essence of what fans adore most about Weezy.

One Foot In featuring Stove God Cooks 

Released on December 8, 2023: As the second single featuring longtime Griselda collaborator Stove God Cooks, Benny wasted no time getting to business on this Hit-Boy-produced track:

“Everybody can’t go, and you probably won’t make it // I whip that powder to glaciers and found the oasis.”

In these opening bars, Benny’s wordplay is both fierce and vivid. The line “Everybody can’t go, and you probably won’t make it” sets a tone of survival and exclusivity. At the same time, “I whip that powder to glaciers and found the oasis” brilliantly illustrates his transformative journey from the struggle of being a troubled youth who only knew hustling on the streets of Buffalo to the sanctum of success he found in the rap game. 

The production features hard-hitting drums and filtered hi-hats, paired with distortion-driven 808 sub-bass lines that mesh seamlessly with Benny’s gritty delivery. This song reflects the rawness and authenticity of Benny’s narrative, something he detailed to NORE and DJ EFN, where he shared that his last hand-to-hand sale was right after his Hot 97 Funk Flex freestyle in 2020.

Long-Awaited Def Jam Debut

Rising to Gold: “Johnny P’s Caddy”

Since Benny’s signing with Def Jam in 2021, anticipation has been building around his debut with the label. While The Butcher has seen Billboard success, a significant highlight in this period is his Tana Talk 4 single “Johnny P’s Caddy” featuring J. Cole. Independently achieving gold status, this performance has undoubtedly set a high benchmark for Everybody Can’t Go. 

Snoop Dogg’s Influence in Contract Negotiations

Another pivotal aspect of Benny’s journey with Def Jam is the role of rap icon Snoop Dogg in assisting Benny in negotiating his contract. Snoop Dogg’s involvement underlines that strategic moves and mutual respect within the hip-hop community are still prevalent today. Snoop Dogg clarified that Benny’s talents are to be acknowledged and valued, paving the way for a debut that’s as much about business acumen as it is about musical integrity.

Contributing to Def Jam’s Legacy

Benny’s ambition to contribute to the redevelopment of Def Jam is a critical element of his journey. The Griselda OG shared on a live feed that his involvement with the label is not just about releasing music; it’s about being a part of the label’s evolving narrative. 

Def Jam’s transparency in this partnership was crucial, demonstrating a mutual commitment to honoring equitable contract terms in a valiant effort to push the boundaries of the genre forward.

In summary, as Everybody Can’t Go nears its release, it symbolizes not just another album release but also a milestone in Benny’s career and in the history of Def Jam. 

For Hip-Hop fans worldwide, it represents a fusion of authentic hip-hop storytelling with strategic industry navigation.

Behind-the-Scenes Insights

To complement the release of “Everybody Can’t Go,” Benny offers fans an exclusive look into the album’s creation through a documentary series available on YouTube. The first two episodes of the Everybody Can’t Go documentary provide a rare glimpse behind the curtain, showcasing the intricacies of Benny’s creative process and the collaborative efforts that went into the album.

Benny The Butcher – Everybody Can’t Go (Episode 1)

Benny The Butcher – Everybody Can’t Go (Episode 2)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Wrap-Up

The excitement and anticipation are palpable as we countdown to January 26, 2024. Everybody Can’t Go is poised to be a defining moment for Benny The Butcher and a testament to his place in the pantheon of great Hip-Hop artists.