Freddie Gibbs – $oul $old $eparately (Album Review)

Freddie Gibbs sells everything but his soul in “$oul $old $eparately.”

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TOP 5

5. CIA

“CIA,” ironically, will creep up on folks.

“CIA” (which stands for “Crack,” “Instagram,” and “Aids”) is a track in which you get a very loose-lipped Freddie Gibbs. Over this exquisite, mafia-like beat, Freddie keeps it real about selling crack, spending time with his children, and bumping Jagged Edge’s music (Particularly “I Gotta Be.” Homeboy got taste). What I like about the song is that it feels like a glorified freestyle, featuring a rant that is both funny as hell and serious.

This track made me laugh my ass off.

4. Too Much (Ft. MoneyBagg Yo)

This song falls directly in line with the kind of music I want to hear from Freddie.

“Too Much” is all about indulging in s**t that is both good and bad for you… like Instagram. The song is powered by a bass-booming beat that carries a hint of giddiness. Freddie Gibbs and MoneyBagg Yo slide over the instrumental using fast flows and cool-ass deliveries. Overall, “Too Much” is a track that I think will excel in clubs if it’s played from 9 PM to 10:30.

I absolutely love how this track closes with an elegant dinner party sound. That was cool as f**k to listen to.

3. Gold Rings (Ft. Pusha T)

Freddie Gibbs and Pusha T might be two of the most underrated rappers of all time.

In “Gold Rings,” Freddie Gibbs and Pusha T rightfully call everyone’s bluff. More specifically, they call out women who can’t take the heat, boyfriends who aren’t street-smart, and rappers who claim they sell dope. The way both Freddie and Pusha smoothly knife through the spellbinding beat is mesmerizing. I also think the hook that the former lays down is fantastic.

2. Pain & Strife (Ft. Offset)

Dammit, I wish “Pain & Strife” was a longer track (it’s only 1:58)! The song features a hypnotizing Bone Thugs-n-Harmony–inspired hook, feverish flows, and a beat that even No Neck Ed would nod his head violently to. The motivational lyrics you get from both Freddie and Offset in the song are the icing on the cake.

Anyone who knows how to use the word “strife” in a sentence is smart as hell.

1. Dark Hearted

Freddie Gibbs definitely sounds focused as hell on this song.

“Dark Hearted” is just as dramatic as every single one of Tyrese’s acting performances. For starters, the song boasts an opera-like James Blake beat that makes me want to make love to a wishing well. Over it, using an emotional style, Freddie Gibbs raps about his mob ties, his old drug-dealing ways, and his opps’ weak mentalities. The way he floats on the track is pretty impressive. I also think the song is gangsta in a way that feels hella unique.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Couldn’t Be Done (Ft. Kelly Price) (4.5/5)

2. Blackest in the Room (4.5/5)

3. Pain & Strife (Ft. Offset) (4.5/5)

4. Zipper Bagz (4/5)

5. Too Much (Ft. MoneyBagg Yo) (4.5/5)

6. Lobster Omelette (Ft. Rick Ross) (4/5)

7. Space Rabbit (4/5)

8. Feel No Pain (Ft. Anderson .Paak & Raekwon) (4/5)

9. Rabbit Vision (4/5)

10. PYS (Ft. DJ Paul) (4/5)

11. Dark Hearted (4.5/5)

12. Gold Rings (Ft. Pusha T) (4.5/5)

13. Grandma’s Stove (Ft. Musiq Soulchild) (4/5)

14. CIA (4.5/5)

15. Decoded (Ft. Scarface) (4/5)

RGM RATING

(85%)

On $oul $old $eparately, Freddie Gibbs sticks to the sound he has spent years sharpening to a fine edge.

The production on $oul $old $eparately is excellent. Between the soulful, debonair, and mafioso-inspired beats, the album feels like a luxurious dinner right after whacking a snitch. What’s interesting is that none of the beats push Freddie to switch up his style; instead, he attacks each one with the same confident approach that defines his music.

Has Freddie Gibbs burned a few bridges over the years? Absolutely. The good news is that he still has solid relationships with some of the realest figures in the game. On $oul $old $eparately, he goes toe-to-toe with artists whose styles align closely with his (Rick Ross and Pusha T) and others who bring something different to the table (Offset, Scarface, and MoneyBagg Yo). That mix allows Freddie to show versatility while still sounding comfortably locked into his own lane.

Freddie Gibbs is an elite rapper. In fact, there aren’t many artists who attack beats the way he does. Throughout $oul $old $eparately, it often feels like Freddie gets completely immersed in the production. When you pay close attention, you’ll catch verses packed with dynamic flows, vivid storytelling, clever punchlines, and a healthy dose of grime.

All in all, if you value a consistent, traditional mafioso-style album filled with high-level rapping, $oul $old $eparately is definitely worth your time.

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