Burden of Proof
Benny the Butcher · 2020
38 min · 12 tracks · rapping
A gritty exploration of ambition and struggle, layered over polished production and sharp lyrical delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Burden of Proof Start here — The title track sets the tone for the album with its introspective lyrics about personal struggles and aspirations, embodying Benny's journey.
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Thank God I Made It — This track reflects on Benny's rise from adversity to success, blending storytelling with an uplifting message that resonates deeply.
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War Paint — Featuring a haunting beat and powerful delivery, this song captures the essence of resilience and determination amidst life’s challenges.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines strong lyrical content with polished production, making it a notable entry in contemporary hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of minor keys, creating a somber atmosphere that complements the themes of struggle and ambition.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with Benny delivering intricate rhymes and storytelling in the verses.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral samples layered over hard-hitting drums, enhancing the polished production while maintaining a gritty feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty street life narratives
- reflective moments of triumph
- focused listening during commutes
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer lengthy immersive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Benny's rise to wider recognition in hip-hop.
- Themes
- gritty ambition· Buffalo resilience· personal struggle· overcoming adversity
- Career context
- By the time of its release in October 2020, Benny the Butcher had established himself as a key figure in the Griselda collective, following his acclaimed debut project 'The Plugs I Met' from 2019. 'Burden of Proof' marked his major label debut with EMPIRE, showcasing a more refined sound while retaining the raw essence that defined his earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Conway The Machine· Westside Gunn· Freddie Gibbs
Tracklist
- 1 Burden of Proof Start here 3:25
- 2 Where Would I Go 2:50
- 3 Sly Green 2:46
- 4 One Way Flight 3:18
- 5 Famous 2:44
- 6 Timeless 3:49
- 7 New Streets 2:02
- 8 Over the Limit 4:15
- 9 Trade It All 2:32
- 10 Thank God I Made It 2:56
- 11 War Paint 4:30
- 12 Legend 3:04
What to play next
Return Home, Pt. 1
2020
Continues the themes of ambition with a fresh perspective and polished sound.
Tana Talk 3
2018
Sets the stage with similar grit and lyrical depth before diving into Burden of Proof.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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