Buffalo, New York emcee Benny the Butcher is back, preluding the highly anticipated The Plugs I Met III with his 10th extended play. Having spent two decades honing his craft, it was his breakout run alongside cousins Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine that truly catapulted him into the spotlight with seminal projects like Tana Talk 3 and the original The Plugs I Met. Following the mature sounds of Burden of Proof and the gritty return-to-form of Tana Talk 4, this latest release arrives with surprising speed, dropping just 48 hours after its initial announcement.

The project opens with “The Dog & The Wolf,” leading into “Rise & Fall,” which features Elcamino and 38 Spesh. Over a soulful Harry Fraud production, the track explores the hidden costs of the game. This is followed by “Big Difference,” featuring Bruiser Wolf and Fuego Base. Produced by the late DJ Shay, the track utilizes a symphonic boom-bap beat that serves as a defiant response to critics of the collective’s recent success.

The second half of the EP shifts gears with “Once Upon a Time,” where Daringer and Beat Butcha provide a more sinister, string-heavy backdrop. The narrative here reflects on the evolution from soldier to leader. This leads into “Talk Shows,” a reunion with Raekwon and Harry Fraud, where the artists trade bars about the authenticity of their hustle. The project concludes with “Can’t Be Much,” a symphonic trap outro that finds Benny firmly in his signature coke-rap element.

While fans will inevitably debate where The Plugs I Met 2.5 ranks in his discography, it stands as a significant improvement over his previous work, Summertime Butch 2. The production strikes a perfect balance between the two previous installments of the series, and the guest features are expertly curated to maintain the project’s mafioso aesthetic. It is a stellar addition to his catalog that builds anticipation for the final chapter of the trilogy.

Score: 9/10