"Johnny P's Caddy" is a song by American rappers Benny the Butcher and J. Cole. It was released on January 28, 2022 as the lead single from the former's third studio album Tana Talk 4. The song was produced by The Alchemist, and is Benny the Butcher's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. On April 13, 2023 the single was certified GOLD marking the first RIAA certification for both Benny & the Griselda Records label. The song is known as one of the most acknowledged features by J. Cole and is widely considered to be his best feature.

"Johnny P's Caddy"
Single by Benny the Butcher and J. Cole
from the album Tana Talk 4
ReleasedJanuary 28, 2022
GenreHip hop
Length3:45
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Alchemist
Benny the Butcher singles chronology
"Mr. Pyrex Man"
(2021)
"Johnny P's Caddy"
(2022)
"John Woo Flick"
(2022)
J. Cole singles chronology
"Poke It Out"
(2021)
"Johnny P's Caddy"
(2022)
"Scared Money"
(2022)
Music video
"Johnny P's Caddy" on YouTube

Background

edit

The title of the song refers to an old school Cadillac that Benny the Butcher's father owned when the rapper was an adolescent. According to Benny, his father would drive him and fellow rapper Westside Gunn around while playing music for them, which significantly developed his passion for music.[1]

Lyrics

edit

Lyrically, the song finds the rappers reflecting on their rise to fame, encountering obstacles along the way, and their success and impact on the hip hop industry and their fans.[2][3] Benny the Butcher begins his verse rapping about his past life of drug dealing and becoming a rapper (This ain't my story 'bout rags to riches, more 'bout how I mastered physics / In the game, I used to train like Rocky, catchin' chickens / I was nice, but they was right when they told me that rap a business / I had ten bands in my stash when I passed over half a million").[4][5] J. Cole criticizes rappers who lie about being involved in street life and dealing drugs,[4] and ends his verse proclaiming he is the "best rapper alive".[5][6]

Music video

edit

The music video sees Benny the Butcher and J. Cole in a house "bathed in natural light".[7] Benny raps outside as he watches a man getting arrested, while Cole performs inside the house.[3]

Charts

edit
Chart performance for "Johnny P's Caddy"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 84
Global 200 (Billboard)[9] 139
South Africa (TOSAC)[10] 42
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 72
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] 22

Certifications

edit
Certifications for "Johnny P's Caddy"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[13] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

edit
  1. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (January 28, 2022). "Benny the Butcher Shares Video for J. Cole-Assisted "Johnny P's Caddy" Off Upcoming 'Tana Talk 4' Album". Complex.
  2. ^ Bouza, Kat (2022-01-28). "'Johnny P's Caddy' Finds Benny the Butcher and J. Cole Ruminating on Success". Rolling Stone.
  3. ^ a b Okon, Wongo (2022-01-28). "Benny The Butcher And J. Cole's 'Johnny P's Caddy' Is Quite Reflective". Uproxx.
  4. ^ a b Fu, Eddie (2022-01-28). "Rap Song of the Week: Benny the Butcher Recruits J. Cole for "Johnny P's Caddy"". Consequence.
  5. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (2022-01-28). "Benny The Butcher Announces New Album 'Tana Talk 4', Teams With J. Cole For New Single "Johnny P's Caddy": Listen". Stereogum.
  6. ^ Eustice, Kyle (2022-02-03). "Benny The Butcher Addresses Claims J. Cole Lyrically Sniped Him In 'Johnny P's Caddy' Verse". HipHopDX.
  7. ^ Renshaw, David. "Benny The Butcher and J. Cole join forces on "Johnny P's Caddy"". The Fader.
  8. ^ "Benny the Butcher Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Benny the Butcher Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard.
  10. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 05-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "Benny the Butcher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Benny the Butcher Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "American single certifications – Benny the Butcher – Johnny P's Caddy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 9, 2023.