Benny the Butcher is part of Buffalo’s Griselda crew and behind Black Soprano Family, the two primary outlets for his tense narratives about street life. Like frequent collaborators Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, he’s inspired most by hardcore mid-’90s hip-hop from his home state, including Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep. A late bloomer by his genre’s standard, he hit his stride in his thirties with releases such as Tana Talk 3 (2018), The Plugs I Met (2019), and the critically acclaimed Burden of Proof (2020), followed by The Plugs I Met 2 (2021). A collaboration with J. Cole preceded 2022’s Tana Talk 4. Everybody Can’t Go, Benny’s first album for Def Jam, arrived in 2024. It was followed by the single “Summer of”24.”
Rapper and Producer, 38 Spesh paints vivid pictures that materialize when listening to his music. Pictures that are different for everyone but help solidify his passion to create. From the tender age of 7, Spesh began placing words into beats. His genius began to show at the age of 14 when he produced his first record. He grew up listening to bonified soothsayers like Jay z, Nas, and Kool G Rap and was mesmerized by their talent and grit. He says, “I grew up with hustlers They were my world, my teacher, my fathers, my mentors,” He hopes his music provides a mixture of motivational music with phenomenal lesson-laced wordplay. In 2014 Spesh launched his own entertainment group, Trust Comes First (TCF) under the TCF Music Group umbrella, a musical movement that got its start in Western New York. 38 Spesh has released multiple projects under TCF Music Group. 5 Shots, 6 Shots, Interstate 38, 1995, Trust Tape 1, 2, 3 and 38 Laws of Powder. They’re all available on his website: www.TheTrustStation.com His latest project is a collaboration album with Hip-hop legend, Kool G Rap. The album, Son of G Rap features powerhouse production from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Alchemist, Daringer, Showbiz & 38 Spesh and more! The first single from Son of G Rap was produced by 38 Spesh. The debut video (featuring Kool G Rap and Spesh), “Upstate 2 Queens” was released to stellar reviews May 2018.