At the moment marks the tenth anniversary of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s first collaborative studio album, Piñata. It was launched on March 18, 2014 through Madlib Invazion. The album was preceded by three EP’s that included lead singles “Thuggin’,” “Disgrace,” and “Deeper.” Though Piñata noticed Freddie Gibbs and Madlib as an unlikely pairing, they skillfully blended Freddie’s gangsta rap edge with Madlib’s classic underground manufacturing. Thematically, the album performs like a “gangster blaxploitation movie on wax,” as defined by Gibbs throughout its preliminary rollout.
Its stacked checklist of visitor options, established hip-hop legends and then-newcomers, joined Freddie and Madlib, leading to an all-star lineup. Standout appearances included Danny Brown, Raekwon, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Ab-Soul, Meechy Darko, and Mac Miller. An authorized traditional, Piñata is extensively thought to be Freddie Gibbs’s magnum opus and one in every of Madlib’s biggest full-length collaborations. At the moment, we’re revisiting Piñata for its tenth anniversary.
Learn Extra: Freddie Gibbs’ 7 Finest Songs: “Thuggin,” “Bandana” & Extra
Piñata Propelled Freddie Gibbs To Hip Hop’s Forefront
Previous to Piñata, Freddie Gibbs was already a rising title within the hip-hop scene. He appeared on XXL’s Freshman cowl in 2010. Gibbs additionally signed with Jeezy’s CTE label, releasing a number of well-received mixtapes. Freddie quickly left CTE to start out his personal ESGN label following a disagreement with Jeezy that turned public. In 2013, he launched his debut album, ESGN.
However whilst he formed his underground legend, vengeance remained on his thoughts after he and Jeezy fell out. Their beef continued nicely after Gibbs’ departure, leading to “Actual,” a cutthroat diss observe that is still a standout on Piñata. ESGN and Freddie’s earlier mixtapes primarily consisted of lure manufacturing, so a full-length collaboration with Madlib appeared like a left-field crossover. In 2014, Gibbs instructed Rappcats, “It was a problem rapping over beats with chops and modifications as unpredictable as the person who created them.” Fortunately, the 2 gelled their sounds collectively on Piñata so completely that it modified the trajectory of each of their careers.
From the cold-hearted “Thuggin” to the vivid “Deeper” and “Disgrace,” Piñata noticed Freddie embracing his lyrical strengths over a sound that he had not but explored. Each “Knicks” and “Lakers” recall his journey whereas “Harold’s” is well the toughest rap tune about rooster wings and fries. Gibbs shines amongst his contemporaries and OG’s all through the album, particularly on its closing posse lower. In the end, Piñata propelled Freddie Gibbs to hip-hop’s forefront, placing him within the dialog of greatest lyricists favored by rap purists and publications alike.
A New Part in Madlib’s Profession
Along with positioning Freddie Gibbs inside the stratosphere of hip hop’s biggest artists, Piñata additionally marked a brand new section in Madlib’s profession. By 2014, the legendary producer had already amassed a discography of a few of hip hop’s biggest collaborations, together with his work with Lootpack, J Dilla, Talib Kweli, Robust Arm Regular, and naturally, Madvillainy with MF DOOM. He had additionally ventured into jazz and different genres together with his instrumental tapes and launched rap albums underneath the Quasimoto alias.
By working with Freddie Gibbs, Madlib unlocked a brand new vein of hip-hop that he had not but tapped into. His classic, soulful, and off-kilter manufacturing sounded more energizing than ever with the assistance of Gibbs and his company. Piñata arrange Madlib to make sizable contributions to hip hop’s new wave of rising underground expertise. He went on to provide for the likes of Your Outdated Droog, Wiki, Mach-Hommy, and Westside Gunn. The album additionally expanded his attain past the underground, touchdown credit on albums from Kanye West, Tyler, The Creator and Anderson .Paak.
Learn Extra: Freddie Gibbs Wants Kanye West As A lot As Kanye West Wants Freddie Gibbs
Piñata Set The Bar For Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s Future Works
Ten years later, Piñata has a legacy of its personal. It set the bar extremely excessive for Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s future works, particularly their subsequent collaborations. Although Freddie’s efforts with The Alchemist naturally garnered comparisons to his initiatives with Madlib, Pinata is the epitome of his peak creativity. However, the album joined Madlib’s most legendary collabs like Madvillainy and Champion Sound as an indeniable traditional. It additionally set the stage for his future works with Blu, MED, Oh No, and Black Star. Much more than their future works as people, Piñata turned the usual for Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s future collaborations as a duo.
With a fair bigger following and main label assist, they unleashed Bandana in 2019 through RCA. It was a worthy successor to their debut, displaying that Gibbs and Madlib are strongest collectively. Piñata stays a landmark launch in hip hop’s fashionable period, with Freddie Gibbs and Madlib celebrating its tenth anniversary with “Teñata” reveals in Boston, New York, and Chicago. Hopefully, they proceed their collaborative successful streak with Montana, the supposed third and last album in a trilogy.
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