G-Eazy shows his many different sides in “Freak Show.”
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TOP 5
5. Lady Killers III
Why don’t I remember “Lady Killers I” or “Lady Killers II?”
“Lady Killers III” definitely sounds like a track that was made in 2011. The rap flow G-Eazy uses in it sounds like some s**t Drake was using on Take Care, while the production that he relies on sounds like some s**t we would’ve heard on Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & Orange Juice mixtape. At the end of the day, the music is still good. I particularly rock with the track’s beachy vibes and Eazy’s lyrics about f**king with a chick that sounds like a first-team all-NBA groupie.
4. One Day (Ft. Leon Bridges)
G-Eazy imagines that he’s broke in “One Day.”
“One Day” is like G-Eazy’s version of “21 Questions.” In the track, he asks his chick how things would be if he didn’t have much money but projects to in a few years. He also brings up the one-bedroom apartments he is living in, the equipment he can barely afford, and being held down.
Leon Bridges features in this track, delivering a great chorus filled with passion and a spellbinding melody. G-Eazy comes across as calm and subdued, even though he’s probably down a couple of rent payments.
3. South Of France
You gotta give G-Eazy props for finding a way to use Sebastian Janorkowski’s name in a verse.
G-Eazy shows off his introspective side in “South Of France.” He talks about living out his dreams, dropping successful albums, and being as focused as ever. Though you get to hear his vulnerable side a bit, G-Eazy still raps with supreme confidence and conviction, which I think layers on top of the gentle but hard-hitting beat that powers everything. I do wish the hook was a little better, but you can’t have everything in life.
2. Freak Show (Ft. French Montana)
Those girls that smash on top of sheets are the deadliest.
These are the cool-ass G-Eazy tracks that I prefer. In “Freak Show,” he brags about the different kinds of chicks he’s smashing and being far from a punk. In the process, he blesses us with a catchy hook and some very sly raps over this uptempo, booming beat that will turn a party up. As for French Montana, he delivers a very punchy, braggadocios verse that has him sounding like a Morrocan demon. His part definitely fits the track.
1. Femme Fatale (Ft. Coi Leray & Kaliii)
Once again, this is the G-Eazy I prefer.
Seeing Coi Leray and Kalii on a G-Eazy track might surprise you, but remember, some of Eazy’s biggest hits, like “No Limit,” feature talented female rappers. That said, “Femme Fatale” is a cool collaboration. Driven by a booming, Bay Area-like beat, G-Eazy and Coi exchange playful banter. While G-Eazy sounds like he’s auditioning for “The Whisper Song” pt. 2, Leray talks her s**t with tons of confidence. Kalii plays a strong supporting role, delivering a tough verse that showcases her value in relationships. Overall, the slick rhymes and catchy hook are sure to resonate with listeners.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(C)
G-Eazy seems to be going through a mid-life crisis, and it’s clearly impacting his music. In Freak Show, he sounds somewhat discombobulated but also more experimental than ever before.
The beats on this album either hit harder than Devin Haney or boast alternative vibes; there’s really no in-between. When it’s the former, we get the bad-boy version of G-Eazy that we’ve come to love. When it’s the latter, he experiments with unique melodies and singing styles. I definitely prefer bad-boy Eazy, but when he can mix the two worlds as he does in tracks like “Backseat,” I don’t mind it. BTW, the choruses on this album are borderline awful.
I actually love the pocket G-Eazy stays in lyrically on this album. Though he has moments in Freak Show where he talks about smashing chicks and being rich, he also has humble moments in which he talks about being thankful for his blessings, family, and new lifestyle. It almost seems like he’s gone through some s**t in the past few years, and now he’s putting everything in perspective; that’s a place we should all want to be in.
Is G-Eazy making the best music of his career right now? I don’t think so. However, there’s a level of purity in Freak Show that tells me making it might serve as something therapeutic for him.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
