In truth, there are very few facets of Freddie Gibbs’ newest EP that distinguish it from the multitude of other hip-hop albums being released now. However, those few differences, as subtle as they may be, are the watermarks of talent in a young rapper who has already been compared to the likes of Tupac, UGK, Z-Ro and Outkast. The question remains though of whether or not these qualities, ranging from things as subtle as his aggressive, yet rounded vocal cadence, to his raw, often heart-wrenching lyricism, will be noticed and subsequently appreciated by the masses in the wake of the bubblegum rap, wrought with the hooks and auto-tuning of pop, that dominates the airwaves at present. My guess, pessimistic as it may be, is that Gibbs, by virtue of the same talent that has already garnered him a sizable underground fanbase, will stay there, releasing mixtapes and albums that might never catch much radio time, but to those who care to listen, will stand as some of the most exciting hip hop coming out today.
For instance, “National Anthem (Fuck The World)” captures the listener’s attention the first listen through of the album, with its pleasing juxtaposition of Gibbs’ opening, snowballing cadence, and the subsequent Busdriver-esque rocket-fast flow that switches in time with the subtle beat transformations. The track’s grimy, ghetto-life lyricism that describes “absentee fathers and dope-fiend mothers,” are another selling point. However, the EP only really comes to life once the quality of the other songs begins to sink in.
There’s “Personal OG,” the prerequisite stoner anthem, which, while executed with more attention to the chorus than to the actual verses, manages to encapsulate with one line the honest truth of Gibbs’ motivations: “And I’m a motherfuckin’ marijuana addict so I had to make a song for the smokers.” Which, I realize, sounds dangerously blunt (hah!), but, in keeping with Gibbs’ sometimes painfully autobiographical lyrics, is him telling it like it is, a quality that lends itself to his overall mystique.
Overall, the EP is a step away from Freddie Gibbs’ mixtaped past, and a step towards the more fully produced hip hop Interscope records once pushed him away from, and hopefully towards the fame he deserves.
Track List:
1. Str8 Killa No Filla (feat Big Kill)
2. Live By The Game
3. National Anthem
4. Rep 2 Tha Fullest (feat Jay Rock)
5. Rock Bottom (feat Bun B)
6. Personal OG
7. Oil Money (feat Dan Auerbach, Chuck Inglish, Chip The Ripper & Bun B)
