FREDDIE GIBBS X MADLIB; “BANDANA”

Oracle Rap Reviews will look to properly inform the readers and subscribers with information on the latest rap releases- as long as we have actually heard them. These will be our opinions only, with no attempt to make money on the artists or other intellectual properties. We will also not be looking to hand out actual letter grades for the music that we review, rather we will give our take on the number of songs that we like vs. the number of songs that we do not.

The metrics that we will use to review the music will be found below and will be available for reference for every published review. And so without any further delay, for the first time- our first official review!

FEEL- What type of feelings do the music invoke? What does it make you want to do?

LYRICS- Are there bars?

PRODUCTION- Does the artist ride the beats? Does their cadence match the production? Does the production fit well with the project?

OVERALL- How many tracks to we like compared to the number of tracks on the project?

Feel free to use the above for your own reference as you go through the music on your own and tell us what you think!

FREDDIE GIBBS X MADLIB; “BANDANA”

Release Date: June 28^th, 2019

Number of Tracks: 15

Duration: 46 minutes

Favorite Track: “Education,” Freddie Gibbs x Madlib feat. Yasiin Bey, Black Thought

Ever since the release of their first project, “Piñata,” in March of 2014, this long awaited sequel has been anticipated by fans everywhere, including myself. In my opinion, that might have been the best album of 2014, with tracks like, “Scarface, Deeper, High, and Knicks,” the project rode from front to back. And while Madlib himself may be a bit of a ghost with his lack of a media presence, he was considered to be the star of the initial project. Further hampering his shine, Piñata also bolstered an impressive lineup of features, from the likes of Danny Brown, Raekwon, Domo Genesis, and Mac Miller, just to name a few. And while all of that is true, it should never be used to override the fact that Freddie Gibbs, bar for bar, is one of the best that there is. So when I first heard of the follow up album announcement via Ganster Gibb’s Instagram, I know I was not alone in my excitement.

Though he still suffers from his fall out with Young Jeezy, Gibbs would get the chance to prove just how far he had come as a lyricist on Bandana. The album starts with an introduction by a Japanese narrator, likely reading off what Gibbs requested, in English, which definitely offers some obscurity on the sound of the album, but once I got into it, I was thoroughly impressed. Since listening to it several times, I am now well equipped to rate the project based on the previously mentioned metrics.

Feel

Music, in general, invokes certain feelings. Some tracks make you want to hit the gym, and others may make you want to try your hand at selling drugs. Bandana, as a project, makes me feel like I just want to sit down, relax, and listen to some music, and if you are a music lover or rap enthusiast like me, you know the feeling well. As the album went on, my head began to nod more, and a smile began to form. This album makes you feel like you are about to have a really smooth day, like real rap is making a resurgence, and that even you can follow your dreams.

Lyrics

A bar, or a section of music, can have multiple definitions as to what lines or verses may or may not count as bars, depending on the listener. When a rapper is said to have bars, this infers that the speaker is generally impressed by the artist’s lyrical content. When my friends and I think of bars, we think of it as turning the dial back to replay the song, to ensure we heard the verse or line we just heard. And when it comes to bars or lyrics, it is clear that Gibbs provides plenty of these across the entirety of Bandana, along with the limited number of feature artists showcased on an album. The below are a few of our favorites.

“Diamonds in my chain, yeah, I slang but I’m still a slave.

Twisted in the system, just a number listed on the page.” – Freddie Gibbs, “Crime Pays.”

“Everybody giggling- that kid was getting killed.

And I knew when I stood they would turn on me.

And I don’t need no more trouble wit my sleep.

So I did what I did and it is what it is.

Tell the sheriff and the deputy- I don’t give a FICK.” – Yasiin Bey, (Mos Def) “Education.”

“Niggas don’t understand.

That 360 mean a percentage of every income stream.

That record aint doin no numbers.

You trip on your management and legal team.” –Freddie Gibbs, “Giannis.”

Production

This is an easy one, since Madlib is arguably one of the most legendary producers of all time. Even though he may be a bit of a ghost to those who do not know- him mainly impart due to a limited social media presence, in today’s social media heavy world, he always seems to deliver. He ducks interviews and media interaction better than anyone famous, and this serves his mysterious image. As a result, he usually flies under the radar when it comes to the best producers of all time debate. However he and Gibbs met, it was clear that the two formed a bound from the start, and that chemistry is on full display on Bandana. Likely left un-mastered on purpose, Madlib did finally speak on the album, commenting that all the beats for the project were produced on his Ipad, and this only lends itself further to the album. And while Madlib was widely considered to have carried Gibbs on their first joint album in 2014, and there were no such claims this time, he still delivered his fair share of fire beats. The beats ride just a smooth as Gibb’s flow, and the samples are well placed.

Flow

Because Madlib did such a good job on the production, Gibbs’ flow fits perfectly with every track. His cadence rode to provide a melodic symphony that will have the listeners revisiting the album time and time again. In fact, I implore any real rap fan to give it a listen, as you will find no gimmicks on this album. You will find however, bars, beats, and an excellent flow from Gibbs. The smooth flow lends itself to the listeners, and is not hampered by any poorly placed switch-ups.

Overall

Bandana is without question one of the best releases of 2019. I was looking forward to the drop as soon as it was announced, and was not the least bit disappointed. And while I generally cosign albums as a whole, I am relatively picky when it comes to the songs I would save or download as opposed to the ones that I would not. Of the 15 tracks on Bandana, 10 of them are excellent. (Freestyle Shit, Crime Pays, Palmolive, Flat Tummy Tea, Giannis, Cataracts, Gat Damn, Education, Soul Right.) As for the remaining 5, I can do without, or would not protest if they were skipped during a listening session. Hence, the album receives a 10 out of 15, and serves as a must listen for any real rap fan who has not heard it.

In my opinion, Gibbs still has a lot to prove in his career, and I cannot help but feel as if this progress is being hampered by his lingering animosity towards Jeezy. I do know how hard it can be to let things go, but I believe he will have to if he wants the recognition he deserves. All things considered, we here at Oracle Rap Reviews congratulate the tandem on a masterful release and an excellent project.

- Signed, The Oracle, 7.21.19

Edited by: MJG Story Creation

Special Thanks To: Grits and Gospel, Vepo Pressure, The Square Art, Sam Floyd, Rodney Favors, Jazz Favors, M. Jayson Graham, and Jerel Marshall.