The Plugs I Met 2 was met with generally favorable reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 78, based on eight reviews.[1]
Sy Shackleford of RapReviews.com praised the work, writing: "The raps are solid and the production under Fraud is not polished, but more refined this time around. All in all, The Plugs I Met 2 is another feather in Benny's cap".[8] Riley Wallace of HipHopDX wrote: "Nitpicking on the extra grams aside, with Plugs I Met 2, Benny not only adds a well-rounded arc to his discography but also solidifies his status as an elder statesman/role model for a new generation who could genuinely use the perspective. While he's just as guilty of glorifying his former lifestyle as any rapper, his music exemplifies the difference authenticity makes".[5] Robin Murray of Clash stated: "it's less of a Burden of Proof expansion pack and more of a statement in its own right, one that underlines Benny The Butcher's ascension as one of the most vital voices in rap today".[3] Luke Fox of Exclaim! wrote: "the shadows of the trap loom large on Benny's dense and detailed The Plugs I Met 2 EP, the sequel to 2019's impeccable original with producer DJ Shay. This time, New York underground producer Harry Fraud's soundscape elevates both the melancholy and menace to cinematic heights".[4] Brody Kenny of Beats Per Minute wrote: "Benny and the rest of Griselda are a force so reliable and prolific that they should be boring by now. But The Plugs I Met 2 suggests that we're just getting to know them".[2] Pete Tosiello of Pitchfork resumed that the album "maintains a smirking joie de vivre—just so long as you're on the right side of it".[7] Mankaprr Conteh of Rolling Stone wrote that the rapper is "a convincing rap sage; a captivating spitter offering his nefarious experiences with an abundance of awareness of their nuances and influence".[9] Kyann-Sian Williams of NME wrote: "the rapper's attention to detail is undeniable – but serving up a pile of rhymes, rather than full-bodied songs with snappy hooks, can be boring no matter how skilful you are. Even the star-name features can't really lift this skippable sequel and its samey songs, which is a shame, given Benny the Butcher's proven penmanship".[6]
