Listen to Straight by Shoebox Benny #np on #SoundCloud
Gabe’s First Listen: Shoebox Benny - Straight
“I’m on a paper chase thumbing through it like paper backs…”
I never thumbed through a wad of cash before, but I could relate to sifting through the pages of a good book. Chicago native, Shoebox Benny’s juxtaposition of relatively familiar experiences to those of hustling is an appetizing piece of ear candy. On the single, Straight, Benny is absolute in his determination and mission to see those around him uplifted by his success with sharp lines like “I told all my kids be better than me/I told all my N’z just bet it on me.. and they did.” Over haunting moog keys and 808 drums, Benny is picture perfect in his writing and finds an enticing angle to tell his story of post street glory in a meaningful way that doesn’t sound derivative of anything you might’ve heard. Benny raps there’s a shortage of realness and loyalty in the art and game of hustling, but there’s a way that you can have both and still walk away with enough money to make you smirk. I can respect that and I’m sure that will make Benny smile like $50,000 in dope money.
- WeekendGabe