Freddie Gibbs, one of a kind

Freddie Gibbs, blamed in an european jail with no reason.

It’s 2016, Freddie “Kane” Gibbs, at the peak of his career, was doing a tour around Europe, taking overseas the songs of Piñata (2014).This album was created in collaboration with the legendary producer Madlib and was acclaimed by the critics and the audience.
When in France, he suddenly get arrested. Therefore, he was extradited to Austria and imprisoned awaiting trial. He was accused for sexual violence by the false testimony of two girls.

After a month and a few days in prison, he was released in absence of any clear evidence of the fact, denied also, after a while, by the same (false) victims. A surreal story with a happy ending, which however will profoundly mark the protagonist of this new episode of our “Art Of Bars” session. Besides the economic damage caused by the cancellation of the tour, Freddie Gibbs risked a long period of detention on the opposite side of the ocean away from his newborn daughter.

“Bandana”, the new duo chapter of the Freddie Gibbs and Madlib.

However, it’s among the bars in Austria that Freddie Gibbs will get the inspiration to write some lyrics of the extraordinary second chapter, made in collaboration with Madlib, Bandana (2019) and published in June this year. The productions of the Californian genius, are perfect musical background to the personal stories and to the charismatic delivery (mix of technical ability, voice and flow) of Freddie “Kane” Gibbs where is able to underline his character in a special way.

In “Gat Damn“, for example, he tells the loss of almost 1 million dollars in legal fees and to the hard condition of a Islamic detainied to whom was served within the walls mostly pork meat.

Ah, goddamn, I’m callin’ Lam’
MoneyGram, go send the bail, I’m in a jam
In the jail, I’m in the cell, can’t see the fam
Say my prayers, alhamdulillah, no bacon ham
Bacon ham, and cold salami, that’s all they serve us
Stomach hurtin’, the devil working, but I ain’t nervous
Beat the verdict, but lost a milli’, guess life ain’t perfect
Whippin’ birdies, the devil working, but I ain’t nervous

da “Gat Damn”, Freddie Gibbs & MadLib, Bandana Lp, 2019

Freddie Gibbs, the character

Despite this bitter story and the tough street events, Freddie Gibbs remains an extremely difficult artist to categorize, both musically and as a personality. Eccentric and introspective at the same time, he’s gifted with charisma and sarcasm shown in his music, interview and videos mixed with an innate talent.

As a fan, it’s not a coincidence that “Gangsta” Gibbs will take the name from the protagonist of the kind of blaxpoitation, a film of the 70s similar to an Afro-american version of the Italian crime drama films of the same period.

Tommy Gibbs – “Black Caesar, 1973

Freddie Gibbs’ musical journey: the beginnings in Gary, Indiana

Born in ‘82, Gibbs’ artistic career began in Gary,i n the Midwest of Indiana, one of the towns so-called Rust Belt of the US (already mentioned in the episode of Benny The Butcher and Buffalo), poor and depressed , whose only reason for fame is the birthplace of a music giant like Michael Jackson.
At that time, Gary’s town “Kane”, didn’t offer many opportunities and if you know how is the Midwest of US, you won’t struggle to imagine it as an abandoned and desolate area marked by a serious economic crisis.

Gary, Indiana

While he’s struggling and hustling in his neighborhood, he lately picked up the microphone, at 21 for competition. One day at the recording studio of one of his friends, he realised that even if it was his first approach to the music, he had many things to say compared to other rappers in town.

Between 2006 and 2007 he was almost immediately discovered by his future manager and friend Ben “Lambo” Lambert also signing with the Interscope record label. The major deal didn’t last long and after a while, Freddie Gibbs got independent again.

The brief association with the CTE of Young Jeezy

However, Gary’s rapper doesn’t give up. Thanks to his great talent, the unique voice and style, which reminds of the legendary Texas rapper and friend Scarface of Geto Boys, he catched the attention of Young Jeezy, the trap king of Atlanta. Therefore in 2012, the same “Snowman” Jeezy will welcome Freddie in his team, signing to his CTE (Corporate Thugz Entertainment) label.

During that time, Gangsta Gibbs published several successful mixtapes, including A Cold Day In Hell (2011) and Baby Face Killa (2012), demonstrating his versatile talent both on productions reminding of the Atlanta sound and on more classic beats, without publishing any official record.

Freddie Gibbs & Young Jeezy

Freddie “Gangsta” Gibbs, entrepreneur and the meet with Madlib

Afterwards, even the collaboration with the CTE of Young Jeezy wasn’t long lasting (carrying on grudge and snipes). Freddie Gibbs, prefers to undertake a profitable independent career, assisted by his manager Ben “Lambo”. In fact, within three years, he published many high-level album: ESGN (2013), Piñata (2014); considered by many a classic, originated from the union with the brilliant Californian producer Madlib. He tailored for him some refined soul beats and, finally, the excellent but different Shadow of a Doubt (2015) with sounds of trap and various guests, such as Tory Lanez, Gucci Mane, E-40 and Black Thought.

The great return of Freddie “Kane” after his detention in Austria

In 2017, after the stop between European courts and jails, Freddie Kane Gibbs found new inspiration, getting back with solid and different music projects, such as “You Only Live 2wice” (2017), “Freddie” (2018) or “Fetti” (2018), with the participation of Curren$y and The Alchemist. The brand new return raised, this summer, with the extraordinary second chapter of the MadGibbs saga (Madlib & Freddie Gibbs), Bandana (2019), as told before. This will absolutely figure at the first rankings spot of the Album of the year charts.

Therefore, as shown by the variegated record company of Freddie Gibbs, it ain’t possible to frame the versatile Indiana rapper in some sub-genre or kind, as he loves to experiment different sounds and flow, while maintaining the quality of his catalog and the unique features as charisma, content, style and voice. The uniqueness of Freddie Gibbs’ music and the originality of his character, are his main strength allowing him, over the years, to strengthen his way to the panthéon legends of this culture, without ever compromising his music.