Everybody Can't Go Explained

Everybody Can't Go
Type:studio
Artist:Benny the Butcher
Cover:Everybody Can't Go by Benny the Butcher.png
Studio:Chalice Recording Studios
Genre:
Length:40:17
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Tana Talk 4
Prev Year:2022

Everybody Can't Go is the fourth studio album by American rapper Benny the Butcher. It was released on January 26, 2024, through 5 to 50 and Def Jam Recordings.[1] [2] The album contains guest appearances from Armani Caesar, Babyface Ray, Conway the Machine, Jadakiss, Kyle Banks, Lil Wayne, Peezy, Rick Hyde, Snoop Dogg, Stove God Cooks, and Westside Gunn.[3] Production was handled by The Alchemist, Corbett, and Hit-Boy.[4]

It follows his album Tana Talk 4, which was released in 2022. It was supported by three singles: "Big Dog", "One Foot In", and "Bron". The album was a critical success, becoming his fourth album to chart on the US Billboard 200 and garnering universal acclaim from music critics.

Background and promotion

The album was first teased in February 2023 following the 65th Annual Grammy Awards after which Benny had taken to his Instagram to post a picture that he captioned "Sometimes the experience of the journey is a better feeling than reaching the destination. You won't ever kno unless u make it there…but remember Everybody Can't Go. The Album produced by @hitboy…Loading".[5] [6] Just a month later, in March 2023, Benny and Hit-Boy previewed a track from the album.[7] In April 2023, in an interview with DTLR, Benny announced that the album was set to release on August 11, 2023:[8]

In June 2023, Benny revealed that he was "pissed" after not taking advantage of his song with Drake, bringing him major publicity, allowing him to further promote the release of the album.[9] [10] [11] In the interview, he stated:[12]

In July 2023, Benny teased the album's lead single, "Big Dog" with Lil Wayne, building anticipation for the project.[13] [14] In August 2023, Hit-Boy announced that the album would be pushed back, noting that "it was supposed to come in August but I think it's getting pushed back".[15] Weeks later, Benny previewed the entirety of Wayne's verse on "Big Dog".[16] Ending October, Benny began to promote the release of "Big Dog" by wiping his Instagram page and posting a countdown while thanking fans for building anticipation to the album.[17] [18] In an interview with Rap Radar, Benny broke down the meaning behind the album's title:

On November 3, 2023, the album's lead single, "Big Dog" with Lil Wayne was released alongside its official music video.[19] Over a month later, on December 8, 2023, Benny released the album's second single, "One Foot In" with Stove God Cooks alongside its official music video.[20] [21] [22]

On January 24, 2024, just two days prior to the release of the album, Benny took to Instagram to post the album's official tracklist, previewing features from Armani Caesar, Babyface Ray, Conway the Machine, Jadakiss, Kyle Banks, Lil Wayne, Peezy, Rick Hyde, Snoop Dogg, Stove God Cooks, and Westside Gunn to increase the hype and anticipation before the album's release.[23] [24] [25]

Recording

In Benny's interview with Rolling Stone, it was noted that during the recording process of the album, "his house in Buffalo burned down, he got a divorce, and his childhood friend died".[26]

The album's first recording session was in Las Vegas before transitioning to the Hit-Boy-owned Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles and The Alchemist's Santa Monica studio. Benny stated that both producers were "hands-on" during the recording process and would often offer suggestions on his recording approach. Benny stated that when recording with Hit-Boy and The Alchemist, it would just be him and the producers in the studio.[26] During his interview, he also revealed that the album took 19 months to create.[26]

In Benny's interview with Charlamagne tha God on The Breakfast Club, he stated that in November 2023, the FBI raided his studio session in Buffalo, New York and that he's on the FBI watchlist and was being harassed by the Buffalo PD during the recording of the album.[27]

Critical reception

Everybody Can't Go received a score of 82 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim" reception. Beats Per Minutes Chase McMullen stated that "Benny more than excels when he's storytelling and by simply devouring verses" and that "Benny is all but absent on Everybody Can't Go". McMullen further stated that Benny draws "inspiration from Birdman and Mannie Fresh's classic run, he finally properly tears into the endless opinions regarding his ascension". Writing for Clash, Robin Murray began his review, noting that "Everybody Can't Go dials into [Benny's] core values, a frenetic display of rap excellence that carries real weight". Murray stated that "the tension between evolution and retaining his identity" makes the project "incredibly riveting". Praising the album's production, Murray concluded his review by writing that the album "utilises some fantastic production – notably from Hit-Boy – to piece together a seamless record, one that hauls his sound forwards into a fresh era". HipHopDXs Karan Singh wrote that "the LP traces the New York spitter's resilience from crippling artistic independence to signing with Def Jam and building on the label's legacy of all-time greats". Praising the project, he stated that the project "is a concoction of sharply digitized beats and eloquent instrumentation" while also stating that Benny's lyricism is a standout, and how he "presents his story unlocks new perspectives". Concluding his review, Singh wrote that the album has "few hindrances" and that "Hip Hop is in good hands with The Butcher".

Writing for RapReviews, Sy Shackleford stated that "Everybody Can't Go is a solid listen, with about two skippable tracks", however, "it doesn't stand up to previous releases". He wrote that on the record, "Benny's maintained many of the elements that contribute to his music" and that while the album "is mostly good, Benny will need to push some boundaries if he's ever going to top his classic albums". Writing for HotNewHipHop, Tallie Spencer wrote that the album "is a perfect blend of street lyricism and razor-sharp storytelling, showcasing Benny's unwavering commitment to proving himself as a respected artist". Spencer stated that on the album, Benny "navigates the gritty narratives of street life with authenticity and skill" and that "the powerhouse production team brings a rich sonic backdrop, providing the perfect canvas for Benny's intricate and impactful verses". Concluding her review, Spencer states that "Everybody Can't Go becomes a testament to his growth and evolving perspective".[28] Consequences Marcus Shorter states that on the album, "Benny brings that introspection to the table when discussing the paranoia that breeds a cold heart", and that he "doesn't preach, but he subtly tells those fingers pointing at the bad guy not to throw stones in the glass house that is America". He wrote that "this is Benny the Butcher, uncompromised and unflinching" and that "his old fans wouldn't have it any other way".

Controversy

In the months prior to the release of the album, in August 2023, Benny faced backlash from the media after stating that he is planning to vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election.[29] Following the release of the album, in its title track, "Everybody Can't Go", Benny rapped, "Fuck I'ma do next? They guessin', up wonderin'/Know I'ma win, like the election if Trump run again", again, resulting in the controversy reigniting.[30] [31]

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Visuals

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hopkins. Earl. Benny The Butcher Is Ready To Rise On 'Everybody Can't Go'. January 25, 2024. January 25, 2024. Grammy. en.
  2. Berry. Peter A.. Benny the Butcher On 'Everybody Can't Go' Album, Working With Snoop Dogg, and More. January 29, 2024. January 31, 2024. Complex. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130063842/https://www.complex.com/music/a/peter-a-berry/benny-the-butcher-everybody-cant-go-album. January 30, 2024. live.
  3. New Music Friday: Stream new albums from Benny The Butcher, NewDad, and more. January 26, 2024. January 28, 2024. The Fader. en.
  4. Web site: Grant. Shawn. Benny The Butcher Delivers New Album 'Everybody Can't Go'. January 26, 2024. January 28, 2024. The Source. en.
  5. Web site: Class. DJ First. Benny The Butcher announces new album with Hit-Boy. February 6, 2023. January 11, 2024. Revolt TV.
  6. Grant. Shawn. Benny the Butcher Teases New Everybody Can't Go Album with Hit-Boy. February 9, 2023. January 11, 2024. The Source.
  7. Grant. Shawn. Benny the Butcher and Hit-Boy Preview New Track from Forthcoming Everybody Can't Go Album. March 7, 2023. January 11, 2024. The Source. en.
  8. Web site: Saponara. Michael. Benny the Butcher Shares Title & Release Date of New Hit-Boy Collab Album. April 24, 2023. January 11, 2024. HipHopDX. en.
  9. Web site: Blake. Cole. Benny The Butcher Admits He Was "Pissed" He Couldn't Take Advantage Of Drake Collab. June 5, 2023. January 11, 2024. HotNewHipHop. en.
  10. Web site: Bustard. Andy. Benny the Butcher Was 'Pissed' Drake Collab Got Shelved: 'It Was My Biggest Record!'. June 6, 2023. January 11, 2024. HipHopDX. en.
  11. Cummings-Grady. Mackenzie. Benny The Butcher on Being 'Pissed' His Drake Collab Never Came Out: 'It Was My Biggest Record'. June 6, 2023. January 11, 2024. Complex. en.
  12. Brown. Preezy. Benny The Butcher Says He Was "Pissed" Over Unreleased Drake Collaboration. June 6, 2023. January 11, 2024. Vibe. en.
  13. Web site: Nevares. Gabriel Bras. Benny The Butcher Previews Lil Wayne Collab For New Album "Everybody Can't Go". July 11, 2023. January 11, 2024. HotNewHipHop. en.
  14. Web site: Cummings-Grady. Mackenzie. Benny the Butcher Teases Lil Wayne Feature on Everybody Can't Go Album. July 10, 2023. January 11, 2024. HipHopDX. en.
  15. Web site: Alexandria. Lavender. Hit-Boy Says Benny The Butcher's New Album Has Been Delayed. August 4, 2023. January 11, 2024. HotNewHipHop. en.
  16. Web site: Horvath. Zachary. Benny The Butcher Teases Lil Wayne's Verse From Their Upcoming Track. August 30, 2023. January 11, 2024. HotNewHipHop. en.
  17. Web site: Ellington. Andre. Benny the Butcher Gives Album Update, Thanks Fans for Their 'Anticipation'. October 23, 2023. January 11, 2024. HipHopDX. en.
  18. Web site: Singh. Karan. Benny the Butcher Launches Countdown for New Album: 'The Butcher Coming'. October 24, 2023. January 11, 2024. HipHopDX. en.
  19. Darville. Jordan. Benny The Butcher and Lil Wayne share "Big Dog". November 3, 2023. January 11, 2024. The Fader. en.
  20. Web site: Horvath. Zachary. Benny The Butcher, Stove God Cooks, And Hit-Boy Producing Nothing But Heat On "One Foot In". December 8, 2023. January 11, 2024. HotNewHipHop. en.
  21. Murray. Robin. Benny The Butcher, Stove God Cooks Unite On 'One Foot In'. December 8, 2023. January 25, 2024. Clash. en.
  22. Web site: Powell. Jon. Benny The Butcher links with Stove God Cooks for "One Foot In" visual. December 12, 2023. January 25, 2024. Revolt TV. en.
  23. Web site: Blake. Cole. Benny The Butcher's "Everybody Can't Go" Tracklist To Feature Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, & More: Report. January 23, 2024. January 25, 2024. HotNewHipHop. en.
  24. Web site: Powell. Jon. Jadakiss, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg tapped for Benny The Butcher's 'Everybody Can't Go' album. January 24, 2024. January 25, 2024. Revolt TV. en.
  25. Web site: Moore. Sean. BENNY THE BUTCHER TAPS SNOOP DOGG, LIL WAYNE & MORE FOR 'EVERYBODY CAN'T GO' TRACKLIST. January 23, 2024. January 25, 2024. HipHopDX. en.
  26. Through Immense Loss, Benny the Butcher Focused on the 'Level Up'. Rolling Stone. Gee. Andre. February 1, 2024. February 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240201203610/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/benny-the-butcher-interview-def-jam-debut-1234959019/. February 1, 2024. live.
  27. Web site: BENNY THE BUTCHER SAYS HE'S ON FBI'S WATCHLIST: 'THEY RAIDED MY STUDIO 2 MONTHS AGO'. HipHopDX. Setaro. Shawn. January 15, 2024. February 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240116015105/https://hiphopdx.com/news/benny-butcher-fbi-watchlist. January 16, 2024. live.
  28. Web site: Benny The Butcher Drops Gritty Masterpiece "Everybody Can't Go". HotNewHipHop. Spencer. Tallie. January 26, 2024. January 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240126111231/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/757017-benny-the-butcher-drops-everybody-cant-go. January 26, 2024. live.
  29. Web site: Benny The Butcher Reflects On Trump Endorsement, Won't Reveal If He's Changed His Mind. HotNewHipHop. Alexandria. Lavender. November 24, 2023. February 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231202152830/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/738167-benny-the-butcher-trump-tweet-clarification-hip-hop-news. December 2, 2023. live.
  30. Benny the Butcher Explains Trump Comments, Says a 'Lot of Black People Voted for' Him. Complex. Espinoza. Joshua. February 1, 2024. February 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240202114635/https://www.complex.com/music/a/joshua-espinoza/benny-the-butcher-trump-black-people-voted-msnbc-special. February 2, 2024. live.
  31. Web site: Benny the Butcher Is Still Sick of Rap Critics. Vulture. Ketchum III. William E.. January 30, 2024. February 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130195331/https://www.vulture.com/article/benny-the-butcher-everybody-cant-go-drake.html. January 30, 2024. live.