Freddie Gibbs’ Collaborative Albums Showcase An Incredible Hip-Hop Synthesis In Lyrics and Production

Though it is common practice to use a wide variety of producers on a rap album, some rappers and producers interestingly have decided to do the opposite, highlighting their abilities through mutual collaboration. Chief in that group is the work of Freddie Gibbs, the Midwest rapper known for straddling the lines of underground hip-hop with his gritty lyrics. By frequently collaborating with the same producers, his albums achieve a remarkable synthesis that only a handful of other peers have accomplished in the 2010s onward.

Originally so group-oriented as to call themselves MadGibbs, the duo of Gibbs and producer Madlib released four exciting EPs before their truly remarkable debut, Piñata. Combining Gibbs’ swagger and street knowledge with the hazy beats of Madlib made for a flow unlike any other. Even the guests drift by as seamlessly as Gibbs and Madlib’s teamwork. They reached their pinnacle five years later with Bandana, an even better synthesized and more gripping record than the first. With two exceptional collaborations under their belt, Gibbs and Madlib demonstrate this extended period of working together can lead to some of the best in hip-hop homogeneity.

Though lesser known than his previous collaborations, Alfredo is just as good, if not better, than any other Gibbs album. The Alchemist demonstrates he can adapt to just about any rapper, and his flexible abilities show that highlighting Gibbs’ flow is both a science and an art. The greater variety is even more astounding due to how well every piece fits together.

All Freddie Gibbs albums can be found on streaming services, and these producers have their discographies widely available as well.