Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
Thuggin’ EP
5/5 Stars
From the very first time the Thuggin’ EP project was mentioned to me until the moment I finished listening to the whole thing, the concept of a ‘perfect balance’ echoed through my mind over and over. In so many ways does this EP make sense of a what I’d call a ‘Hip Hop equilibrium’. Stones Throw’s staple-producer Madlib & Freddie Gibbs create a harmonious duality in which a legend meets a talented initiate, West Coast meets Midwest (Gibbs hails from Gary, IN), and instrumental tracks shake hands with some solid lyrics.
Stones Throw Records released this EP last November, but I’ve been waiting to lend my excitement to others about it and discuss the potential of the full-length LP, which is to be released later this year. Even though it only consists of six tracks, it’s honestly all you need for right now. You’ll get full off of what they serve, no doubt. The first two tracks are complimentary of each other, meaning the vocal version of “Thuggin’” is followed by the instrumental version. Right before a similar vocal/instrumental set of “Deep” is one of two bonus tracks on the album called “Riot Call”. These beats definitely do hype your attention with samples of low drums and summoning battle cries. Still, it’s not in favor of chaos but in anticipation of the spaced-out intro of the vocal version of “Deep”. This one goes inward, to a place Gibbs raps about as though he’s describing the back of his hand. He goes “deep inside the ghetto”. He knows it, and he knows it well. It’s a bummer, I wish the vocal version was longer… I want more fire fromFreddie on this!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbxcPy1qJTU&feature=player_embedded
We luckily get that energy, though. On the vocal version of “Thuggin’”, that is. A part of Freddie’s talent is how well his lyrics tell his stories. He not only gives the dirty details of what’s going on around him, but he lends the ears his mind. Whether it’s cookin’ in the kitchen or posted on the corner in the hood, as rapped about in “Thuggin’”, we know what he’s feeling, doing, seeing, smelling, and most importantly, thinking: “cause it feels so good/ it feels so right”. All of these descriptions help the listener make sense of and relate to the story, or, the song. Freddie Gibbs has the ability to tap into his psyche and very clearly deliver it through bars. I have noticed that some emcees can lyrically tell a great story but don’t quite include the element of how it makes them feel and how it all affects the mentality. This makes a difference to listeners because that’s where the connection is made. When an artist does this honestly and with clarity, more people can feel the music, not just hear it. “Thuggin’” is a perfect example of such. A fab high-five for Freddie!
This duo very recently dropped visuals for “Deep” and boy oh boy does it color the track without reservation. Freddie vividly narrates you through the life he’s telling about with a three minute & twenty-two second mini-movie. There are some raw, super dope images in it so make sure you check it out ASAP…
While Gibbs has a handful of well-received mixtapes and two EPs out prior to this, Madlib is a more familiar pioneer to Hip Hop. His producing abilities fit so very well with Freddie’s flow and demeanor. I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of this EP and I am hella excited for the LP later in 2012. I throw 5 stars at this album! I must, however, push everyone to purchase and play this album on vinyl! I think playing anything Madlib on vinyl keeps everything Madlib at its glory. You can cop both digital and vinyl versions of Thuggin’ on the Stones Throw website!
Review by: Stephanie Nicole Jones – journalist
@Stephnicojones
