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REVIEW: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo

Updated: Feb 7, 2022

7.5/10

Favorite Track: "God Is Perfect" Least Favorite Track: "Look at Me"

Over the past few years, it seems as though Indiana native Freddie Gibbs has single-handedly kept the gangsta rap candle lit, with his previous full length record Bandana being one of the most critically acclaimed rap records of 2019. While Bandana earned plenty of mainstream success from more laid-back rap fans, it also pulled endless amounts of praise from more hardcore hip-hop heads looking for great lyricism and less trap trends, and I think Freddie continues to do that successfully on his most recent release, Alfredo. This record is short, to the point, and packed with lush production from The Alchemist that rivals the best in the game. While I do think Alfredo suffers from some lackluster tracks that feel a tad unfinished, it makes up for it by offering some of the best rap cuts I have heard in a long time, most notably the eerie and incomparably catchy “God Is Perfect”, which I think has the best hook on a rap cut I have heard recently. This track really shows off Freddie’s unparalleled ability to hit a groove in a track and run with it, and it keeps you interested from start to finish with no effort. Freddie’s talents in his lyrics are well showcased on the track “Skinny Suge”, where he throws out some heart wrenching bars about his days of selling drugs, highlighting a story about supplying a dealer that his uncle bought drugs from, who then died of an overdose. It is a really dark moment on the record, and it is a refreshing change of pace from some of the other tracks on the album that are talking about the trap as a home of sorts. The record does take a bit of a hit from tracks like “All Glass” and “Look At Me”, which both sound sort of unfinished, like there could have been a more interesting verse thrown in or more instrumental details added. The album would suffer much less if it was a bit longer, but having five lackluster minutes of a thirty-five minute runtime does take a toll on the overall quality. Nonetheless, Freddie comes through on Alfredo with fantastic production, a few good features from Rick Ross and Tyler, The Creator, and great bars that are visceral and cold-blooded while still being easily accessible and fun.

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