Freddie Gibbs raps hard and stiff-arms the devil in “You Only Die 1nce.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. Rabbit Island
Is Rabbit Island close to Nigeria?
Freddie Gibbs sounds incredibly cool on several tracks in this album, but he sounds his coolest in “Rabbit Island.” Over a laidback, almost therapeutic instrumental, he delivers his lyrics aggressively while maintaining a relaxed flow. Lyrically, he dives into topics like the thots he’s involved with, the threats against him, and the rivals he’s dismissing. The song’s icing on the cake is the smooth hook delivered by whoever that is.
5. Cosmo Freestyle
Yo, what the f**k is Crack Daniel (LMAO)?
Not many beats overshadow Freddie Gibbs on this album, but the one behind “Cosmo Freestyle” does just that. Its elegant yet slightly gangsta vibe complements Gibbs’ fantastic performance where we see him navigating the track with a rigorous flow, reflecting on his beginnings in the game and disdain for snitches.
Lamar Odom probably agrees with the s**t Freddie Gibbs said to open this track.
4. It’s Your Anniversary
You gotta nominate “It’s Your Anniversary” for rap performance of the year.
Do you know that extra smooth track called “Anniversary” by Tony! Toni! Toné!? Well, Freddie Gibbs flips that s**t on its head in “It’s Your Anniversary.” Adding some knock to the song’s production for rap purposes, Freddie spits relentlessly about his baby mamas who are stalkers, his love for filmmaking, and his enjoyment in seeing his enemies fail. I just think the track’s chorus is way too good to ignore, and I appreciate how Freddie puts his head down and straight raps like a madman.
3. 30 Girlfriends (Yeah Yeah)
Isn’t having 30 girlfriends a little excessive?
On my original review of this album, I didn’t have “30 Girlfriends (Yeah Yeah)” in my top 5. I was an absolute idiot for that. This track is smooth as f**k, boasting pristine production and slippery flows from Freddie Gibbs. He also delivers some very sly player advice that I implore those who pull more hamstrings than women should indulge in.
2. Ruthless
Freddie Gibbs is wild for rapping over some s**t like this.
I’m a bit biased because I love “Cupid” by 112, so hearing Freddie Gibbs rap over the song’s classic beat really resonated with me. I also appreciate how he included Slim’s vocals in the background. Aside from that, it’s impressive and humorous how Freddie embraces his raw style while discussing dysfunctional relationships with thots against a smooth backdrop. Plus, the effortlessly catchy chorus makes the track even more memorable.
1. On The Set
Goddamn, they done got Diddy 🙁
“On The Set” is driven by a beat with a nice tempo and haunting, lonely vibes. Over it, Freddie Gibbs uses his bare, unfiltered style to reflect on his admiration for Diddy before recent controversies, his thoughts on retiring from rap, his rise from Gary, Indiana, and his complicated, materialistic connection with a woman he’s semi-interested in. I love how raw the track sounds and how it serves as an update of sorts on what Freddie has been up to these past few months.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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OVERALL RATING
(B+) (88%)
Freddie Gibbs doesn’t miss.
Production:
The beats on this album are incredibly stylish and smooth, with enough punch to let a rapper like Freddie Gibbs shine. If I were a drug dealer turned legal, I could easily listen to just the instrumental version of this album all day while I wipe white s**t off my nose.
Guest Appearances:
No one is featured on this album. Interestingly, Freddie Gibbs mentions a few times that rappers are scared to collaborate with him. I personally believe he’s blackballed.
The Performances:
I haven’t heard anyone go in on tracks like this in a while. Throughout You Only Die 1nce, Freddie Gibbs maintains a nonchalant, gritty tone, plays with steady flows (getting a bit dynamic occasionally), and keeps his lyrics real, discussing the balance between his old street life and new luxury lifestyle. It’s interesting how he name-drops in a way that feels relatable rather than superficial, helping listeners connect with the authentic stories he’s telling.
What Would I Change About This Album?
I hate to say it, but I wish there were some guest features on this project. I would have loved to hear Freddie go toe-to-toe with a few rappers. If you had tossed Offset or even someone like Cole onto one of these tracks, it would have been incredible. I also feel the album could have benefited from more catchy choruses, which R&B features would have provided. But I acknowledge this is me nitpicking.
The Biggest Reason You Should Listen To This Album:
You don’t come across bodies of work like this anymore. You Only Die 1nce flows seamlessly, features consistent and smooth production, and delivers authentic, raw rap verses. I genuinely believe the world needs this kind of hip-hop right now.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
