Review: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Alfredo

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Freddie Gibbs releases his eighth album and fourth collaborative album Alfredo with the producer The Alchemist. Gibbs is a rapper and songwriter known for his fantastic conceptual lyricism. This is not the first time this duo has teamed up because they made a collaborative mixtape with Curren$y titled Fetti. I went into this album with fairly high expectations because of Gibbs’ consistent critical acclaim. It is also worth noting that I have never listened to a Gibbs record before this, so it will be a more raw, uninfluenced review, but with less understanding of the context of his discography.

The record starts with insight on gang life, gang violence, and that experience in his youth. The Alchemist creates a solid beat with a catchy electric guitar melody that is repeated in the instrumental. Over the length of the album, Gibbs continues with amazing flows and lyricism. The Alchemist continues with some groovy, jazzy beats. Here is my track-by-track analysis:

- God Is Perfect – Gibbs continues with his narrative on gang life, infusing the song with a discussion on battle rap? Or it could be rap in general. He switches his flow up extremely well after every chorus repeat, and the track ends with someone speaking on their political ignorance.

- Scottie Beam – Rick Ross collaborates with Gibbs on this track with a nice piano beat with revolutionary lyrics. “The revolution is the genocide” Gibbs raps, seeming like he is picking a fight with the feds. He would die for the cause he believes in: “Yeah, my execution might be televised.” Rick Ross comes in with a quick bar about unfair incarceration and a notable line to remember the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

- Look At Me – An individual performance by Gibbs over an overtly jazz-rap track; however, it definitely has a vaporwave vibe with a staggered and repeated loop of slowed jazz singing. Gibbs flexes on perhaps a former partner throughout this track, and the outro is about being careful when “shedding blood in this community,” which perfectly transitions to the next track.

- Frank Lucas – Gibbs has more to say about his gang life with more emphasis on the police being his enemy. Some interesting dissonant piano chords used during Benny the Butcher’s verse. A Spongebob-like instrumental is played in the outro that disintegrates to transition into the next track.

- Something to Rap About – A surprising feature by Tyler, The Creator appears on a song with an insanely infatuating electric guitar riff. Gibbs alludes to spending jailtime overseas on a falsely accused sexual assault charge that he was later acquitted for. Then, the transition to Tyler’s verse is amazing as The Alchemist adds such a fitting modulation to the guitar riff to fit Tyler’s vibe. Tyler starts talking about how this beat reminds him of the boat he does not have and being on it on the water. Tyler also reminds the listener about his past alter-ego Goblin from the album Goblin.

- Baby $hit – Gibbs discusses his self-made life. “Yeah, ain’t nobody ever gave me shit, I had to take this shit.” This jazz-rap track ends with a quote from the television show Godfather of Harlem; it is about he (the Godfather) is happy that he essentially imposes these struggles on the black community with his drug trade.

- Babies & Fools – Gibbs begins with rapping about the loves of his life, and Conway the Machine does the same in his verse. Another great jazz-rap instrumental. Conway continues the discussion about being a father and owing to his kids.

- Skinny Suge – Honestly, this feels like a filler track to me. Maybe it is some extra commentary Gibbs wanted to get out.

- All Glass – There is a harder hitting instrumental compared to the rest of the album on this song. Gibbs ends Alfredo with commentary about street violence, racist incarceration, and saving children from the violence. “Better get that boy to the doctor before them bullets spread.”

Overall, this album showcased Freddie Gibbs’ technical skill in rapping and lyricism. With some great features from Rick Ross, Tyler, the Creator, Conway the Machine, and Benny the Butcher, Alfredo gives an opportunity for rappers to showcase their rap skill. Gibbs talks much about gang violence, street violence, mass incarceration, and his success throughout; although he has many themes in this album, there is not an overarching concept that wraps up Alfredo. There was also one track that seemed to be filler, which is disappointing for a mere 35-minute record. However, the album has some great social commentary, incredible rap flows, and vivacious production from The Alchemist

Favorite tracks: Scottie Beam & Something to Rap About

Least Favorites: Skinny Suge

Good Album: 7.3