Album Preview: Freddie Gibbs "Str8 Killa No Filla"
Album Preview: Freddie Gibbs "Str8 Killa No Filla"
The road to success is always a tough one, just ask Freddie Gibbs. Signed to Interscope Records in 2005, he left the label without ever releasing an album. But instead of giving up, the hustler from Gary, Indiana got back in the booth and dropped critically acclaimed mixtapes like midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmusik and The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs. The road has been getting smoother for Gangsta Gibbs as he recently graced XXL's 2010 "Freshman" cover and is preparing for the release of his highly anticipated EP, Str8 Killa, on August 3rd. Freddie held a listening session last week in downtown NYC, so read on to see whether his struggle paid dividends...
"Str8 Killa No Filla" f/ Big Kill
Complex says: The first track, which boasts the same name as the mixtape that will be dropping to accompany the EP, is a great start to the album. The beat is laced with heavy bass and is reminiscent of the music played when Jason is stalking a white chick down the street with a knife. Freddie balances his normal and fast flow while speaking on some of his favorite subjects: robbing, killing, females, and gettin' money. Same shit we talk about at the Complex offices when we're bored.
"Rep To The Fullest" f/ Jay Rock
Complex Says: Gibbs enlists the help of his West Coast brethren Jay Rock, and they make music to drive by...or, rather, to drive-by to. This is a track you turn the volume all the way up to in your car and let lines like "Strictly no perpetrating to the fullest" blast all through the 'hood...or scare your neighbors in the 'burbs.
"National Anthem" (Fuck The World)
Complex Says:
"The Coldest" f/ BJ The Chicago Kid
Complex says: The uptempo beat, which features pianos and possibly chimes, is catchy. Gangsta Gibbs and BJ show you what a thug about and profess,
"Personal OG"
Complex says:
"Live By The Game"
Complex says: Take this track how you want to, which we mean in a good way. Whether you're hustling in the streets or on your cubicle grind, this comes off as an anthem to raise your spirits. If you still don't feel inspired, just click your heels together and say, "Life ain't nothin' but bitches and money" five times. Should do the trick.
"Rock Bottom" f/ Bun B
Complex says:
"Oil Money" f/ Bun B, Dan Auerbach, Chuck Inglish & Chip Tha Ripper
Complex says: A perfect song to finish the EP, the newly formed supergroup consisting of Gibbs, Bun B, Chuck Inglish of the Cool Kids, and Chip Tha Ripper all spit their signature flows. With the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach also contributing vocals, this track can do no wrong. Well, unless the oil money they're gettin' is from Birdman's oil rig. That'd be a total fail.
