Sy ShacklefordBenny the Butcher’s Black Soprano Family isn’t merely a label or a side-project. As a collective, each rapper brings their own unique perspective and rap skill to the street rhymes influenced by their native Buffalo. ElCamino is perhaps the breakout member of BSF, having several features, mixtapes, and albums to his name for more than the better part of a decade. If anything, his rap name (which translates to “the way” or “the path” from Spanish) has doubled as the expression of his journey. The album cover of his latest offering, “MINO”, has a painted depiction of ElCamino as 17th century American colonial royalty. Given hip-hop’s penchant for opulence, that illustration is certainly a unique take on it.
ILL Tone Beats provides most of the album’s production. He makes his presence known via the soulful backdrop on the album opener “Think About It”. ElCamino certainly comes out swinging, weaving both his verses and his hook with the theme of continued learning, even after having gone through what can be considered too much. “Bobby Knight” is noteworthy for the number of producers on it: Bankroll Got It, Diego, Go Grizzly & Hitmaker. The production is smooth and features Benny and French Montana, the latter of which also lends his vocals for the hook. The Butcher makes his final appearance on the lead single “N.I.A.”. Produced by Fly God Jr., this beat pure trap: Having the frantic handclap 808 snares and the menacing keys. Not just that, but the way both Benny and ElCamino ride this beat is a testament to their versatility:
On “Godson”, ILL Tone laces a trippy soundscape comprised of psychedelic soul and melodic multitracked vocals for ElCamino’s elegiac raps. Also, and except for the album’s closer, ILL Tone is behind the boards for the next five tracks. “We Shall Overcome” features 38 Spesh who boasts over the mournful violin sample that he “ain’t surprise me when I seen you tell / I’m giving well wishes that obviously don’t mean you well.” The boom-bap snares and distorted sonic background on “London Gatwick” makes for a very head-nodding track, as do ElCamino’s braggadocious rhymes.
Cory Gunz & Inspectah Deck make an appearance on “Salvation”, which has an airy and layered sound along with scratched-in vocals for the hook. Here, it’s the Rebel I.N.S. who has the best verse, capping it off with “Still pushing crack, this the blue tops and tall caps / They don’t want the smoke, but they still catch the contact.” The brisk vocals and bass of “Magic” are complemented by raps from Boldy James & Double Dee. For “Ahead of Themselves”, the production takes a jazzy turn and ElCamino’s relaxed double-time flow makes the track a tranquil listen. Lastly is “Been Thru It All” produced by Mayor Ty Ran. Over a gospel-dashed production and a hook from Kenyada Nikile, ElCamino juxtaposes the spoils and lamentations of the street life. As with most ElCamino releases, a listener knows what they’re getting lyrically, but with “MINO”, the production and flows are intriguingly varied.