Alfredo: Freddie Gibbs’ Masterpiece

By Cade Guerrero

The turn of the new decade has been met with its fair share of ups and downs. However, in a year met with challenging adversity, we need to look at some of the positives to maintain hope for better days. The public is currently dealing with political unrest and the wanting for change in the justice system. While reality is harsher for others, we can seek a brief distraction in forms of art and culture.

We received the long finished project of Michael Jordan’s Last Dance documentary which started production in 1998. The Tiger King himself, Joe Exotic, was introduced worldwide making himself one of the biggest characters of the new decade. Two very influential pieces of art in the form of television, distracting us from the troubles of the outside world.

The most consistent rapper in the game today, Freddie Gibbs, made 2020 a bit easier to get through. His newest album that was released in March this year, is without a doubt an album we can find solace in. An album that addresses issues with a perspective from the inside, we gain the ability to see Gibbs rugged beauty through rap while referencing pop culture.

Gibbs linked up with N.Y. producer The Alchemist (Dan Malman) to create the collaborated album Alfredo. This was the second time the two worked on a project, as two released Fetti that included artist Curren$y two years prior.

The album presents itself with The Alchemist’s signature production, using old soul records and guitar riffs as sampling, that is followed with Gibbs masterful lyricism. 

‘1985’ is the first song on the album, that references a couple of those two popular subjects in the lead, as Gibbs goes on to rap, “1985, Michael Jordan, bitch, I travel with a cocaine circus,” and “You n*ggas sweeter than Joe Exotic.” Both relevant within the two documentaries as Jordan went on to say, when he joined the Bulls as a rookie, multiple teammates used narcotics in their hotel rooms and if you watched the Tiger King docu-series, we all know, Joe Exoctic is far from sweet.

The album is rich with tracks that talk about gang violence, women and waking up to grind.

Rich with soul and rugged lyrics, Alfredo is an album that holds its own in rap history. (Freddie Gibbs)

(Freddie Gibbs)

My favorite track, Something to Rap About, features both Gibbs and Odd Future’s own Tyler the Creator, is an absolute masterpiece. First released as a single, production is perfect. The beat is sampled from David T. Walker’s On Love which gives the track a sense of blissful tones. It’s matched with Gibb’s and Tyler’s lyrics that talks about how their actions in the past have given them the ability to rap now. 

“God made me sell crack so I'd have somethin' to rap about,” Gibbs raps.

The next track that catches my ears, is Babies & Fools, which features Conway the Machine. The track samples Andrus, Blackwood and Company’s All of Me. It's an ode to giving yourself into a project, and burning bridges along the way. Yet, the two artists explain how they now give themselves to their children, by putting them through school, or being there for them when dealing with day-to-day problems.

The album also features Rick Ross and Benny the Butcher. This is the eighth album released by Gibbs’ label ESGN, and we can expect more from the talented Mr. Gibbs.

You can follow Cade Guerrero on Twitter @LePetitSheriff.