Freddie Gibbs unleashes a masterclass in grit, pimpin’, and grudges in “Alfredo 2” with The Alchemist.
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TOP 5
5. Shangri La
These are my kind of love songs!
“Shangri La” floats on one of the smoothest instrumentals of the project—a silky sample wrapped around a beat that still hits hard enough to keep your head bobbing. But while the production invites a more mellow approach, Freddie Gibbs sticks to his guns. He keeps his voice rugged and his delivery raw, rapping with a slick, relentless flow that feels like he’s gliding across the track with no resistance.
Lyrically, Gibbs is in full unapologetic mode. He drops bars about his baby mamas he refuses to let go of, women with mileage who still catch his eye, and his pride in being the type of guy who’ll take someone else’s girl without remorse. It’s all delivered with that signature Gibbs nonchalance—grimy, confident, and casually toxic. Despite the subject matter, the song feels like an easy ride, something that plays effortlessly while still carrying that sharp edge only Freddie can provide.
4. Gold Feet (Ft. JID)
“F**k a ring b*tch, I like to cheat” is a wild way to start a track…
Sometimes you’ve got to skip the suspense and cut straight to the facts—JID’s verse on this track is downright divine. He glides over the mystical, thumping production with the kind of ease that feels illegal. One second he’s floating at a cool 25MPH, the next he’s flying at 100MPH, slicing through syllables with razor-sharp precision. Beyond the technical flex, there’s depth: JID reflects on his journey and mental fortitude like a monk who knows how to handle the chaos. At this point, rappers might want to think twice before inviting him to the booth—he’s dunking on dudes.
But don’t get it twisted—Freddie Gibbs makes sure the foundation is solid before JID even touches the mic. He kicks things off with brash, womanizing bars that feel like Johnny Bravo in Cartier frames, all charm and no apologies. His flow starts off deceptively smooth but mutates into a flurry of tightly-wound, complex patterns that show he’s still one of the most technically gifted out. Between dismissing his enemies and flexing how unbothered he is, Freddie makes the track feel like a lowkey flex anthem. This is rap executed at the highest level—no filler, all fire.
3. Lemon Pepper Steppers
Why isn’t Rick Ross on this track?
“Lemon Pepper Steppers” might be the most sonically mischievous track on the album. The beat carries a duality—half lullaby, half larceny. One side feels like a warm blanket from Home Goods, while the other sounds like the soundtrack to a late-night scheme. Naturally, Freddie taps into the latter. With a flow that stays mostly steady but occasionally accelerates into attack mode, he delivers some of his slickest and most ridiculous lines, blending menace with humor. There’s a wild moment where he casually drops a line about his woman doing unholy things post-church, and somehow it lands without feeling out of place. The chorus is instantly memorable—taunting yet cool—and there’s a dusty old sample from a mysterious old man that adds a strange but effective layer of tension. Altogether, it’s a chaotic little masterpiece, and Freddie floats on it like he’s wearing $2,000 slippers with a weapon tucked in the sole.
2. I Still Love H.E.R.
Toss Nas on this track, and it would receive five thumbs up from me.
“I Still Love H.E.R.” stands out as my favorite beat on the album, hands down. It’s got that warm, old-school hip-hop bounce with a gentle, nostalgic rhythm that’s easy on the ears but rich in soul. The instrumental feels like a love letter to classic boom-bap, wrapped in a modern-day polish.
Freddie Gibbs takes a slightly more vulnerable approach here—well, as vulnerable as Gibbs gets, which is about 5%. He floats effortlessly over the beat, refusing to let it speed him up or knock him off balance. His bars touch on his complicated love for hip-hop, his ability to shrug off haters and disses, and even some playful jabs at his enemies, calling them “nincompoops” (That made me laugh my ass off). It’s the easiestgoing and lovable bop on the album, and the one I find myself running back the most just for the groove.
1. Ensalada (Ft. Anderson .Paak)
You just know Freddie Gibbs’ version of ensalada has cocaine in it.
There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about the beat on “Ensalada,” but that’s not a knock—it rides with a smooth, laid-back groove that gives just enough room for the real stars to shine. Freddie Gibbs steps in with a stuffed, relentless flow that feels nostalgic in the best way, calling back to the emotionally packed deliveries of Wale on “Diary” or J. Cole on “Never Told.” His verses are layered with memories of the trap, reflections on betrayal, and the violence that hovered over his early life.
Anderson .Paak’s presence elevates the track to something cinematic. His raspy, soulful vocals add warmth and gravity, pulling the listener deeper into the emotional weight of the track. Where Gibbs brings the grit, .Paak brings the groove, wrapping the song in a dramatic, almost vintage feel. Together, they create a perfect contrast—grit and polish, pain and soul. “Ensalada” ends up being one of the most well-rounded and captivating tracks on the album, not because it tries to do too much, but because everyone involved knows exactly what they’re doing.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
1. 1995 (4.5/5)
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RGM RATING
(88%)
Freddie Gibbs delivers a body of work that feels like a calculated purge—one that’s been years in the making. He doesn’t just rap; he unloads. Every verse is coated with conviction, every bar aimed at someone or something that’s rubbed him the wrong way. You can feel the pettiness, the resentment, and the sharp wit that has defined his artistry for years.
What makes this album truly mesmerizing is how it manages to be so refined yet so raw. The beats, courtesy of The Alchemist, are clean and luxurious, but Freddie’s energy is gritty and confrontational. That contrast makes each track feel layered and alive. It’s music that doesn’t try to beg for streams or radio play—it thrives on its own uncompromised DNA. Freddie doesn’t shy away from sounding too underground or too niche, because he knows the quality of the music will speak louder than any algorithm ever could.
There’s also a refreshing sense of unpredictability here. You never know if Freddie’s next bar will be a clever flex, a personal confession, or a full-blown diss. He balances that tightrope of self-awareness and savagery better than most rappers can. He’s not afraid to be funny, petty, or brutally honest, and somehow it all adds to the richness of the album rather than distracting from it.
Ultimately, this project plays like an artist at peace with his chaos. Freddie Gibbs doesn’t seem interested in proving anything to the masses anymore—he’s just having fun and settling scores along the way. And that level of creative freedom, when paired with the kind of craftsmanship found here, makes this one of his best releases to date.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
