If there is one truth to independent hip hop artists it’s that often times they don’t get the respect they deserve. The reality is that a lot of talented artist only remain local acts perhaps due to not having the right team behind them, not being properly educated on the business of music, or sometimes just due to unfortunate events. With that being said, as an underground artist, Freddie Gibbs, aka Gangsta Gibbs, could be one of the most slept on MC’s in the game. Although he was once signed to Interscope Records, Freddie Gibbs has had his share of setbacks; especially since he was dropped from the label in 2007. But despite his adversity and being told to change by music business executives, he continued to stay true to himself and loyal to his fans. The fact that he will never modify his music or persona to conform to mainstream standards is something that should definitely be respected. Aside from that, his compelling lyrics should make him one of the front runners amongst new artists today. One thing you can learn from this Midwest MC is whether you’re signed to a major label, an indie label, or even whether you’re an up and comer, is that originality goes a long way.
- Freddie Gibbs was born Fredrick Tipton on June 14, 1982 in Gary, Indiana.
- Before Freddie Gibbs started rapping he was playing football at Ball State on a football scholarship but was kicked out of college.
- Coming up Freddie hustled and sold crack, was once a pimp and even robbed freight trains before becoming a rapper.
- Freddie Gibbs was ordered by the court to join a military boot-camp but was discharged.
- His trials and tribulations in his life made him want to do something positive so he turned to music and started following one of his friends to the studio.
- His musical influences include Jay Z, Bun B, and Eminem.
- In 2004, he released two mixtapes Full Metal Jackit: The Mixtape Vol. 1 and Full Metal Jackit: The Mixtape Vol. 2.
- He was originally signed to Interscope Records in 2006 but was dropped from his deal due to mismanagement.
- Although Freddie Gibbs started rapping to get out of the streets, he went back to hustling for awhile after being released from Interscope before he finally got back into the studio.
- In 2007, he released Live from Gary, Indiana mixtape and Live from Gary, Indiana Part 2 mixtape.
- In 2009, he released The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs mixtape that included all his unreleased studio tracks and Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik mixtape that included all his new work.
- Freddie also released The Labels Tryin to Kill Me mixtape in 2009.
- In 2010, he released the mixtape Str8 Killa No Filla and EP Str8 Killa.
- He has collaborated with Chip tha Ripper, Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks of The Cool Kids to form the group P.O.C. (Pulled Over by the Cops).
- Freddie Gibbs was featured in XXL as one of the Freshmen 10 of 2010.
- He was the first solo rapper to be on the cover of LA Weekly that usually features rap groups like NWA.
- Introduced to the camp by a mutual friend, Freddie Gibbs was signed to Young Jeezy’s label CTE in 2011
- Freddie’s “Cold Day in Hell” mixtape soon to be released in 2011.
- He is currently on the ‘Rock The Bells’ tour with Erykah Badu, Nas, and Lauryn Hill.
- His song ‘Look Easy” will be featured on 2k Sports (2K12).
Freddie Gibbs on being relevant: “Being relevant is just still having a voice in the rap game and still having followers and still having a fan base. That’s my idea of being relevant. Staying relevant to me is just putting out consistent material, I mean you don’t gotta sell a million records or what not, as long as you got that steady group of people that’s buyin your shit and comin to your shows. And if you can do that… it’s all about consistency.”
Post by: Rosie J – music marketer
@StudioDiva
