Released: 2018″Babs” by Benny The Butcher, one of the most respected rappers in the game today, serves as a rugged narrative of resilience, personal struggle, and a relentless rise from the grim streets of Buffalo, New York. The song is a somber reflection of Benny’s past and the harsh realities of his hometown, exposing the gritty truths of the street life, while expressing an unwavering love for the city that shaped him.
The first verse finds Benny acknowledging his roots – ‘Westsides and Conways, ain’t no Biggies’, referencing the iconic Brooklyn rapper alongside his fellow Griselda Records members, Westside Gunn, and Conway the Machine. Benny navigates the verse reminiscing the paradox of his city – a bleak place, yet one that has produced affluent youngsters driving luxury cars. His reference to ‘hit bougie bitches with rich fathers, like a Nicole Richie’ is a classic hip-hop play of words, comparing his experiences with privileged women to the socialite and daughter of singer Lionel Richie.
In lines like ‘We rock stars like Bo Diddley’, Benny is making a comparison to the legendary rock and roll pioneer, suggesting that despite their troubled past and surroundings, they’ve managed to achieve a similar level of fame and adoration. He also subtly hints at his prowess as a drug dealer – ‘Unload bricks right off the yacht until the boat empty’ – which underscores the environment that served as the backdrop to his rise. The fact that Benny and his comrades have emerged successful and revered – ‘GxFR, they say we rose quickly’ – can be interpreted as a testament to their grit and determination, even when surrounded by odds stacked against them.
The interplay of these hard-knock life narratives with an overarching theme of devotion to his city is further emphasized in the lines ‘We’re from the city of good neighbors/Where you can lose your life for doing your neighbor a favor’. Here Benny vividly paints the paradox of his hometown – a place that’s both dangerous yet tightly-knit. He ends this narrative with ‘My heart belongs to Buffalo’, signifying a deep, abiding connection and commitment to his roots despite its rough edges.
The final line ‘This that motherfucking Tana Talk 3’ refers to Benny’s album of the same name, asserting that the raw, gritty narrative that permeates ‘Intro: Babs’ is indeed a snapshot of what the entire project encompasses. Benny’s verse is a potent reminder of the realities that continue to fuel and influence his music – a testament to the struggle, survival, and resilience of a man undeniably cut from the cloth of authentic hip-hop culture.
