Benny The Butcher is back, and this time he’s bringing the family along for the ride.
The Buffalo rapper joins forces with Black Soprano Family and Fuego Base for A Friend Of Ours 2, a 10-track project that delivers exactly what longtime fans have come to expect from the Griselda universe.
Released November 13, the album serves as a sequel to Benny’s 2018 project of the same name. Eight years later, the Butcher has built an impressive catalog and established BSF as a formidable presence in underground Hip-Hop.
A Friend Of Ours 2 features appearances from Elcamino, Rick Hyde, Sule, Flames Dot Malik, Duckman and OT The Real. However, fans hoping for another reunion with Conway The Machine or Westside Gunn won’t find one here.
Instead, Benny and company lean into their signature sound. The production is gritty, the bars are sharp and the subject matter rarely strays far from the streets.
For fans of lyricism and what we’re calling that new-school boom-bap, there’s plenty to appreciate. If Auto-Tune and melodic rap aren’t your thing, this project might be right up your alley.
At just over 31 minutes, A Friend Of Ours 2 leaves us wanting a little more. Still, that’s hardly unusual in today’s Hip-Hop landscape.
From standout records to the album’s underlying message about growth, here are our biggest takeaways from BSF’s latest offering.
Biggest Takeaways From ‘A Friend Of Ours 2’
1. The Production Stays True To The Griselda Formula
There’s no mistaking the musical DNA of this project. Dark instrumentals, gritty textures and hard-hitting drums provide the backdrop for some unapologetically street-oriented storytelling.
The production feels familiar without necessarily sounding dated. It also gives the artists plenty of room to deliver their verses without unnecessary distractions.
This is the kind of new-school boom-bap that helped make Benny and the Griselda movement household names among underground Hip-Hop enthusiasts.
Moose Tarantino’s work on “Elevate” deserves particular recognition. The producer provides a dramatic backdrop for one of the album’s most meaningful records.
2. No Conway Or Westside Gunn? No Problem.
Neither Conway The Machine nor Westside Gunn appears on A Friend Of Ours 2.
That’s not particularly surprising, considering Benny’s established track record of releasing music outside the original Griselda trio.
More importantly, this project isn’t designed to recreate those earlier collaborations.
Instead, it gives Benny another opportunity to showcase the talent surrounding his Black Soprano Family movement.
3. The Guest Appearances Keep Things Interesting
Elcamino, Rick Hyde, Sule, Flames Dot Malik, Duckman and OT The Real help round out the album’s lineup.
Elcamino makes three appearances, including the opening track, “Chanel Boots.” His presence helps establish the project’s tone before the rest of the collective gets its opportunity to shine.
Rather than chasing mainstream features, Benny keeps the spotlight on artists who complement the project’s gritty aesthetic.
4. The Standout Tracks Deliver Exactly What Fans Want
“Chanel Boots,” “Caine Sales” and “Make It Make Sense” emerge as three of the project’s strongest offerings.
The Elcamino-assisted opener immediately establishes the album’s identity. Meanwhile, “Caine Sales” delivers the kind of street-focused lyricism that has become synonymous with Benny’s catalog.
“Make It Make Sense,” featuring Sule and Flames Dot Malik, also deserves recognition among the project’s highlights.
Together, these records demonstrate why the BSF sound continues to resonate with listeners who prioritize bars over commercial appeal.
5. The Street Talk Is Heavy, But The Message Evolves
There’s no shortage of drug references, dark imagery and street-oriented wordplay throughout A Friend Of Ours 2.
However, Benny saves one of the project’s most interesting messages for the final track.
On “Elevate,” the Butcher challenges the idea that street credibility requires someone to remain connected to the lifestyle indefinitely.
Instead, he emphasizes the importance of building wealth, creating opportunities and leaving destructive habits behind.
It’s an important distinction. Getting out of the streets shouldn’t be viewed as abandoning your roots. It should be the expectation.
For an artist whose career has been built largely around stories of hustling and survival, the message carries additional weight.
6. Thirty-One Minutes Feels A Little Too Short
One of the few complaints about A Friend Of Ours 2 is its relatively brief runtime.
With 10 tracks clocking in at just over 31 minutes, the album feels more like a quick visit than an extended stay.
Of course, shorter projects have become increasingly common in modern Hip-Hop. There’s also something to appreciate about an album that avoids unnecessary filler.
Still, considering the chemistry between Benny and his collaborators, another two or three records wouldn’t have hurt.
7. Best Bars On The Album? Fuego Base Makes His Case
While Benny The Butcher anchors the project, Fuego Base delivers one of its most memorable lyrical moments on “Traumatized.”
In his opening verse, Fuego combines slick wordplay, outrageous humor and street imagery. He references Diddy’s infamous parties before comparing himself to the late Notorious B.I.G.
“Y’all rode dick to get ahead while I took many steps/ Who runnin them freaky parties since Diddy left?/ I got a mule that got something up a Fendi dress/ I’m the illest fat nigga since Biggie left”
It’s a clever sequence that captures much of what makes A Friend Of Ours 2 entertaining. The bars are gritty, occasionally hilarious and delivered with the confidence you’d expect from the BSF camp.
For listeners who appreciate punchlines that demand a rewind, Fuego gives them plenty of reason to run this one back.
