Benny the Butcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benny the Butcher
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Benny the Butcher in November 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeremie Damon Pennick |
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| Born | November 27, 1984 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | 5 to 50
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Jeremie Damon Pennick (born November 27, 1984), who is known by his stage name Benny the Butcher, is an American rapper and songwriter. He became well-known in 2018 after releasing his first album, Tana Talk 3.
Benny the Butcher is part of the hip hop group Griselda with his cousins, rappers Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine. He is famous for his 1990s-style rap songs. His music often tells stories about the challenges of life on the streets. Many people credit him with helping to bring back a "gritty" style of hip hop.
Even though he was signed to a record label at a young age, he faced many challenges in his early life. After his brother passed away, Benny released many mixtapes and albums. Some of his most famous works include the albums Tana Talk 3, Burden of Proof, and Tana Talk 4.
Benny's music often talks about his experiences growing up in Buffalo, New York. He is praised by other artists and critics for his great storytelling and unique sound.
Contents
Early life
Pennick was born on November 27, 1984, in Buffalo, New York. He grew up on Montana Avenue and was one of eight children raised by a single mother. Growing up, he had to make difficult choices to get by.
Music career
2004–2013: Early mixtapes and new motivation
Early in his career, Pennick worked with a local music producer named DJ Shay. He released his first mixtape, Tana Talk, in 2004. He made 5,000 copies and gave them away for free to build a fanbase.
In 2006, a very sad event happened. Pennick's older brother, Marchello Lowery, also known as Machine Gun Black, was killed. This had a huge impact on Benny and his cousins. It became a major influence on their music and lyrics.
Inspired by his brother's memory and work ethic, Pennick began making music more often. Between 2007 and 2013, he released 12 mixtapes.
2014–2017: Joining Griselda and finding his sound
In 2014, his cousin Westside Gunn started Griselda Records. Benny, Conway, and Westside Gunn released their own music through this label. Benny's music style changed a lot during this time. He started working with the group's main producer, Daringer, who helped create Griselda's unique sound.
Benny also started his own group of rappers from Buffalo called the Black Soprano Family. In 2016, he released the mixtape My First Brick under Griselda. This project showed his new style, which used more live instruments and had a classic "boom bap" feel. From this point on, he started using the name Benny the Butcher for all his new music.
In 2017, Griselda signed a deal with Eminem's Shady Records. That same year, Benny released the popular mixtape Butcher On Steroids with DJ Green Lantern.
2018–2019: Rise to fame
On November 23, 2018, Benny released his first studio album, Tana Talk 3. The album was produced by The Alchemist and Daringer. It was named after Montana Avenue, the street he grew up on. The album cover is a painting of his late brother as a baby. The album received great reviews from critics, who loved its production and storytelling.
In 2019, he released the EP The Plugs I Met. It featured famous artists like Black Thought, Pusha T, and Jadakiss. Later that year, he signed a management deal with Roc Nation, a company founded by rapper Jay-Z.
2020–present: Major success
Benny released his second album, Burden of Proof, on October 16, 2020. The album was a big success and received excellent reviews. In 2021, he released a follow-up EP called The Plugs I Met 2 with producer Harry Fraud.
In November 2021, Benny signed a record deal with the famous label Def Jam Recordings. The announcement was made by rapper Snoop Dogg.
On January 28, 2022, Benny released the single "Johnny P's Caddy" with rapper J. Cole. The song became very popular. It was the first single from his next album, Tana Talk 4, which came out on March 11, 2022.
On January 26, 2024, Benny released his first album with Def Jam, titled Everybody Can't Go. The album featured many guest artists, including Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and his Griselda group members. In 2025, he released his fifth album, Excelsior.
Personal life
In November 2020, Benny was injured in his leg during a robbery attempt in Houston, Texas.
He has lived with asthma for over 25 years. In October 2021, he had to cancel a concert in Detroit because of his condition. He has spoken about the importance of taking care of his health.
He supported Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.
Discography
Studio albums
- Tana Talk 3 (2018)
- Burden of Proof (2020)
- Tana Talk 4 (2022)
- Everybody Can't Go (2024)
- Excelsior (2025)
Extended plays (EPs)
- 17 Bullets (2016)
- The Plugs I Met (2019)
- The Plugs I Met 2 (with Harry Fraud) (2021)
Collaboration albums
- Stabbed & Shot (with 38 Spesh) (2018)
- WWCD (with Griselda) (2019)
- Trust the Sopranos (with 38 Spesh) (2021)
- Stabbed & Shot 2 (with 38 Spesh) (2024)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 2021 | Conflicted | Nick | Film Debut |
