Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata - Album Review
- Juan Hernandez
- Aug 5, 2017
- 3 min read

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib both bring a stellar album that's full 90s gangster macho-ness and bravado.
This is the first album I heard from both artists, one day I was just scrolling through new hip hop releases, and I heard that this was a project I could not miss. People were discussing that this was one of their "Top 5 albums of 2014".
I first played "High", even though this was not a single it's still the pairings most popular song, and it's undoubtedly one of their finest moments. The track has such a laid back feel that roars nostalgia and a sense of fun, even if there are lyrics about blazing up. Freddie Gibbs spits charisma and swagger with his signature wordplay, and Danny Brown impresses with his ferocious rabid filled voice. To me, Freddie's verse represents a good high, while Danny's part represents an awful trip. The song is great and still one the of the most memorable tracks off the album. The only downside comes with the last 20 seconds of the song, the vibe is killed from screams that seems come from someone experiencing a bad trip
Other tracks have killer samples such as "Shame", "Deeper" and "Robes". The production on many tracks are beautiful and infectious, enough to make you nod your head to them. Madlib has truly out done himself with the production and should be applauded for.
The album has many tracks that sound like they ripped straight out of 90s music and old films. Tracks "Scarface", "Real" and "Shitsville" all sound quick, thematic and furious. Often too much I feel like the album gives off a gangster movie aesthetic, and that's not a bad thing. The album is ambitious, grand, and self aware of what it wants to be. Many times it feels like Freddie Gibbs is the main actor and Madlib plays the part of the director. Many times Freddie Gibbs plays the part of this gangster who talks about consuming drugs and not taking shit from anyone. We hear Freddie Gibbs proclaiming "Pants gon' be saggin' til I'm 40/Still lyrically sharper than any short bus shawty" on "Thuggin'". The track has a great beat that sounds both menacing and mafioso, paying respect to mid-90s gangster themed rap albums. Many times we can also find Freddie swaggering with boldness on smooth tunes such as "Robes". With help from Domo Genesis and Earl Sweatshirt, the three artists talk about the come up and their hustling. Madlib's direction can never be pin pointed, tracks range from smooth to disjointed and raw. Fast paced electronic sounds take stage on "Uno" and Freddie delivers with hard hitting rhymes, so hard that in fact it would make Kurt Russel break a sweat.
The album never sounds predictable, one minute we are given hard hitting tracks, and another we are given mesmerizing pieces of sound and a set of nostalgic lyrics. The tracks "Harold's", and the basketball inspired "Lakers" and "Knicks" all bring childhood memories together, and has Freddie Gibbs speaking about his current situation. These tracks disses and praises basketball teams while another pays homage to fast food joints. Other tracks, "Shame" and "Deeper" display the soft side of Freddie Gibbs gangster ridden persona. It's hard to take Freddie seriously when he says "I beat that Thursday night and Friday morning, off to work she go/Time to take that walk, just take this dick, don't take it personal" it really is kind of odd. It's off putting because Gibbs has been talking about doing malicious acts, and it makes you question whether he's really hurt. However Madlibs production steals the spotlight and soon you forget the questionable nature of the track. The album ends on "Piñata" which has performances by Gibbs, Mac Miller, Domo Genesis, G-Wiz, Casey Veggies, Suliman, and Meechy Darko. All the guests on the track bring old school memories of when the Wu-Tang Clan would try to outdo each other on their own tracks. The posse cut defines what the album stands for: Madlib's great production skills, Freddie Gibbs infectious wordplay, and star-studded guest performances.
The album is simply a ride that cannot be missed. If you weren't impressed by Freddie Gibbs past albums and projects, do yourself a favor and listen to this album. This album alone reinvigorates the careers of both artists and this isn't to say they need it, but they simply reinvented themselves with the project.
Piñata
Released: 2014
Favorite Tracks: Deeper, High, Harold's, Thuggin', Uno, Real, Robes, Lakers, Knicks, Shame, Piñata
Worst Tracks: The end part of "High", but it's a great song though
9/10
Comments