Freddie Gibbs

This is hip-hop for everbody. And my favorite rap hook so far this year without an R&B singer. In the middle of dropping a bunch of mixtapes, Gibbs hits us with the Str8 Killa EP and all I can say is well done.

Freddie Gibbs- "The Ghetto" VIDEO

Why wouldn't Gary, Indiana foster the renaissance of New York boom-bap? In the midst of our hip-hop zeitgeist, centered around blaring synths and people we didn't know last year (who the fuck are y'all) Freddie Gibbs solidly stands as a throwback to the legends of East Coast hip-hop, where virtuosity reigned supreme and no one cared if your Vans looked like sneakers. The first thing you notice is the beat, with faint horns and a detuned piano providing the only backdrop to Gibbs' flow, relentless but relaxed. Real hip-hop has become a cliche in and of itself, especially when hype men scream it at concerts, but this is real hip-hop. Peep, download, and nod along.