[Reaper16]

10. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Pinata


I’ve always appreciated Freddie Gibbs, but his beats haven’t been super interesting in the past. And then came his collaboration with Madlib. Gibbs thrives over Madlib’s warm samples here. This album is track after track of Gibbs sitting in the pocket and riding these beats like a champion show horse. You never knew how versatile Gibbs’ flows were, how effortlessly he can glide over anything. Listen to Gibbs live inside of the snare drum in “Shitsville” or pull out double-time on “High” or ape ST 2 Lettaz flow a bit on “Harold’s” or etc. This is straight-up excellent narrative hip-hop. Some highest order rapping right here.