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Let’s just be honest. It’s been difficult to discuss albums over the past few weeks. I’m not saying that, but I am awed by the latest Black Thought. I am awed by JID. I am awed by the brand new Rome Streetz. But it’s just…sooo…muucccchhh. Also, my word processor is now inactive What can I do?
In the next few weeks I will be able to go through the least of them and then I’ll be able to discuss something. However, for the moment we’ll begin by examining Freddie Gibbs. The man is on a roll from the time Bandana (w/Madlib) dropped in 2019 and Alfredo (w/The Alchemist) in the year 2020, making himself known as one of the most renowned Hip-Hop rappers. In the meantime he’s landed a variety of acting jobs, high-profile interviews as well as co-signs. He also has gained numerous foes in Jim Jones and Benny The Butcher. Two years have passed since his last full-length album. What’s to come? Let’s find out with his new record, $oul $old Separately.
1. Couldn’t Be Done
Featuring Kelly Price; Produced by Super Miles & Swoope
Typically, the “victory lap” is reserved for the final moments of the album, however, this is the first track on the album, it’s an opportunity to offer “congratulations” to himself. With a charismatic, humorous and a style unlike any other artist at the time, Freddie gives the middle finger to his critics and also to his competitors and his peers, he’s “Little Brothering” them now. I laughed out loud when I saw the song that Dr. Umar shot before Kelly Price came to transport the group to church. It was a song that I wasn’t feeling that way on the first couple of times I heard it However, it’s definitely a standout for me right now.
2. Blackest In the Room
Produced by The Alchemist
I’m craving the taste of Alfredo I’m hungry for some Alfredo, what do you feel? Similar to their 2020 album, Freddie paints the picture while Alchemist creates the mood with a lavish pianos and horns which turn into a low-key street stomper. Find out by fucking around how to get caught slumped. He’s dropping off as Bizzy and Juicy the rapper is a fuckup with these lyrics. Freddie is on the mark with this one.
3. Pain & Strife
Featuring Offset Produced by Sevn Thomas & Fraka
The Bone Thugs interpolation to his verse makes me think that he’s an Midwest ethnic negro by heart. Indiana and Ohio are neighbors, don’t they? Offset… appears to be there. If Freddie wasn’t around I’d have thought it was the Offset single track, or Migos demo. It’s just the way it is. Average at best.
4. Zipper Bagz
Produced by KAYTRANADA
The HTML0 isn’t Freddie and KAYTRANADA’s first time around however, outside of the flow and production of Freddie, it’s really not that great. I would have loved to hear a stronger song, however, we’re satisfied with what we could get. It’s passable. If it were to appear at night, I would not shut it off, but it could have been better considering the person who was in the picture.
5. Too Much
Featuring Moneybagg Yo; Produced by IV Beatss, Norva “VA” Denton, Edgar “Johnny Velvet” Etienne, & Harmony Samuel
If you pay attention, you’ll listen to The Debarge song “All This Love.” From the very starting point, Freddie is relentless with his flow. Moneybagg is afflicted by the same issue as Offset’s, but it doesn’t have anything to the mix that Freddie could not have already mastered earlier. It’s a blessing that I didn’t go through this immediately, as the moment I did been able to, my expectations could have been lower to this particular album.
Freddie Gibbs knows Kevin Durant.
6. Lobster Omelette
Featuring Rick Ross; Produced by Jake One
Jake One comes through with an electric beat as well. Kane and Rozay continue where they left off in the “Scottie Beam” and “Ice Cream” collaborations. It’s exactly what you would expect when these two teams up street raps, luxury music, and they are the most effective at their job. I’m enjoying this.
7. Space Rabbit
Produced by Jahaan Sweet, Boi-1da, & Roget Chahayed
Freddie is once more unstoppable in his flow and appears to be thinking about whether his actions in street might end up affecting him in the near future. Even admitting that he would like to join G-Unit. If they’re still in the game. It would probably be a great match. Best song so far.
Freddie Gibbs knows Jeff Ross.
8. Feel No Pain
Featuring Raekwon & Anderson .Paak; Produced by Anderson .Paak, J.LBS, & Thomas Brenneck
I’m unsure about this song. The hook is confusing me with all the “chief counselor, co-founder” all-encompassing nonsense of Anderson .Paak. It’s like I wasn’t able to connect with the song until the chef came in. The track is good but it’s got the opposite effect to the first track, where I’m not as enthralled by this track like I was on the first listen.
9. Rabbit Vision
Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
If you see the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League tag, you’re sure that you are about to receive something. Freddie is able to get into his inner bag to recall the time he fought with Gucci Mane’s most famous adversaries as well as making the block the most coveted on the streets of Gary from 2300 Jackson Street. There’s a lot of pizazz throughout the song.
Freddie knows Joe Rogan… unfortunately.
10. PYS
Featuring & Produced by DJ Paul
Nothing quite like that classic Three 6 sound reminding me of sitting outside on my porch listening to cars speed through the streets blasting this kind of music from the speakers. I could have done without the DJ Paul song but I don’t mind too much. The smooth performance, flow of Gibbs, and charisma is evident throughout. Another great track.
11. Dark Hearted
Produced by James Blake
Freddie is re-entering his personal journal. This is the place where Freddie can be found in which he can be a storyteller and still keep it mellow and make it be easy to follow. The stories are deep and bring you to your knees here. Dope.
12. Gold Rings
Featuring Pusha T; Produced by Sevn Thomas, Sean Momberger, & Jahaan Sweet
We’re a bit surprised that Kane and Pusha haven’t released more tracks. Whatever you think of Pusha and his music the fact is that he’s a pro at this , and artists such as Freddie are his forerunners. There are more collabs coming from these two.
Freddie knows Jesus.
13. Grandma’s Stove
Featuring Musiq Soulchild; Produced by Sevn Thomas & Neenyo
It’s probably my favourite track from the album. This beat had me sat down and taking all the lyrics into. Freddie sings about the game of rap, and the game of drugs and how the wrong move can put you back. The third verse smacks me with a reference to his father suffering from cancer. I thought the final phrase was an indirect swipe towards the rappers he’s fighting with recently. But that’s a different story.
14. CIA
Produced by Madlib & Motif Alumni
YK Osiris remains as a punching bag.
Since the final track to be one of the bonus tracks This is more like the final stage here. It’s the final lap. From being a come-up underground tale and to getting nominated to the Grammy and now, he’s in the spotlight and he’s not going anywhere. The streak of success continues.
15. Decoded
Featuring Scarface; Produced by DJ Dahi
The show’s star the show is Brad Jordan. It’s like watching an OG handing over the torch to a new generation. The final line of his verse are an enthralling tale that, unfortunately, most of these children will be able to hear. This is where the album closes.
Freddie is aware of Julian… Julian knows Freddie… do not know who the”fuck” is.
BOTTOM LINE
Let’s get this straight. “$oul” is a great album. is an amazing album. The final five, perhaps six tracks are an example of the times when Freddie can put his stuff in his bag and share the stories from the streets that we’ve come across his for. He has a style of production that although not atypical, is intriguing enough to know the direction he goes with it.
It’s a pity that singles that came before the album, like “Gang Signs” and “Big Boss Rabbit” aren’t on the album because they are the songs that feature Kane wears his trap shoes on are like watered-down versions of the artists included on this album. “Pain and Strife” sound similar to what that you would hear by Offset or any from the Migos. “Too Much” sounds like something you’d hear out of Moneybagg Yo. Kane however doesn’t have any value to the song and the song comes off as typical as any song from the group could. There is a decent amount of songs that show the Freddie that we’ve come keep an eye on and the Freddie who is aware that he has progressed and wants to be a good host to those who may not even know him.
While this album isn’t one of the top albums of the year according to me, it’s still a excellent album from a guy who, in the past decade I’ve heard him on numerous occasions is yet to be missed… as well most likely never will.