“Shout out to Gangsta Gibbs, he the next to blow!” That was Young Jeezy’s proclamation upon signing Gary, Indiana’s prodigal G back in 2011. And that’s the audio clip playing incessantly in the background of Lil Sodi’s introductory words on ESGN, Freddie Gibbs’ first full-length project post-CTE. If anything, the voice of Gibbs’ former co-sign is an appropriate backdrop for ESGN, an album that serves as a re-declaration of independence for both himself and his newly founded label of the same name.
Although he describes this project as the “definitive Freddie Gibbs album,” ESGN falls right in line with previous releases like Str8 Killa and BFK, both lyrically and musically. On the unassisted street anthem, “Came Up,” Gangsta Gibbs jumps right in on his haters and follows the anti-industry tone persistent throughout his career, with the following, “Nothin but hollow tips for my enemies, like, yeah / Fuck you pussy boys in this industry, like, yeah / Fuck yo records, I’m knee deep in the streets…”
Freddie Gibbs battles with the music industry are well documented. After first being signed to Interscope in 2006, and his subsequent dismissal the following year, Gibbs has been relentless in his output and dedication to keeping real Gangsta Rap alive. On ESGN, his substance remains uncompromised, as he presents raw street tales and cocaine raps on records like “I Seen A Man Die” and “Have You Seen Her.”
Production wise, ESGN is fairly seamless, with high points coming on “Eastside Moonwalker,” “F.A.M.E.,” “The Color Purple,” and “9mm.” Gibbs’ innate ability to blend regional styles and musical influences shines throughout the album. Whether he’s resurrecting KRS-One’s “9mm Goes Bang,” or reviving that West Coast gangsta flow with Daz Dillinger and Spice 1, Freddie Gibbs is Hip Hop elemental.
However, if this project falls flat anywhere, it’s the lack of inspiration and powerful substance that has drawn Freddie the Tupac comparisons. ESGN doesn’t have a “National Anthem” or a “Thug Psalms,” which consequently makes the entire LP merely a showcase of Freddie Gibbs’ exceptional delivery, versatile cadence, and elite rhyme skills. While he’s extremely consistent with his flow, and does provide fans heavy doses of Gangsta Rap bangers, he has yet to produce a cohesive, full-length project that would measure up to the classics he was raised on.
Ultimately, ESGN may not be a cultural event. It doesn’t introduce a new sound, nor does it feature many moments we haven’t heard before. Yet what makes this album important are all the reasons Hip Hop needs Freddie Gibbs. On any one album, he can give you pieces of Tupac, UGK, Three 6 Mafia, and blend them into a harmony that would make Bone Thugs-n-Harmony proud. And on that point, ESGN is a massive success.
Straight fire! Don’t sleep on my boy gangsta gibbs !
I think that review is spot-on. 3/5 for me tho.
I think this is 4.5* album…I was hoping to be a bit better after BFK n str8 killa,but still best album this year so far…real hip hop shit,gangsta gibbs is the future
it’s fair to say this album doesn’t have a song as strong as “National Anthem” … but then i struggle to think of a lot of albums that do. in the end i think you have to settle for high-level gangsta rap (with a fair amount of bitterness).
Gangsta Gibbs goes hard as expected.
Hardest album out, right now.
Fire!
DA BEST
Deserves 4 stars easily, maybe even 4.25. Great album, only some feature verses disappointed me.
Gangsta Gibbs
4.5 stars easy hiphopdx always on some bullshit they rate yezus higher than this I believe it now hip hop is now run by closet homos and transsexual
Closet homo ….Whats the meaning of this?closet gay ?Homo=human!Punkass miseducated retard!
Five star
everybody is a fuckin critic on the internet. let me see your music credentials bitch
Where the fuck can I get this on CD?
Personally, I give this album a 5/5, but I kinda understand the 3.5/5 rating from HHDX. The whole album went hard, especially the song “Freddie Soprano”. However, there are a few tracks that are forgettable and won’t constantly go on repeat in your playlist. It won’t critically exceed his mixtapes, but it’s still almost up par with them.
Gibbs is my fav rapper but idk about this project.. Gibbs and the beats were on point and all but the features man.. those random ass GI niggas are wack as fuck. this is better than the full metal jakit mixtapes but everything else Gibbs has is much better than this project
I was thoroughly impressed with ESGN. “”ESGN” fails to deliver the inspiration and substance Gibbs has previously shown”? Gangsta Gibbs has stuck to his roots better than any other rapper in the game, especially directly with his music. I’d give nothing less than 4/5.
4/5
4.5/5
Gibbs never disappoints
good
Who ever wrote this article is a god damn genius. Straight up no chase. SUCK IT HATERZZZZ
Street classic
It’s weaker than some of his other stuff, but it’s still very, very solid. It’s just too long (becomes a bit generic towards the end) and many features are weak, but the instrumentals are mostly good and Gibbs himself ALWAYS delivers.
straight gangsta, no filler. Im just glad he’s not rapping about LV, Gucci and the rest of of that bullsh*t.
Thanks you Gibbs!
BIG fan of Gibbs, but this was only on par with Str8 Killa and BFK. Listen to Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik and The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs. Those are CERTIFIED classics.
i give ESGN a 7.5/10
Gibbs was on point on this, but the some of the beats were pretty lackluster. I liked BFK a lot more. I like it well enough, but I doubt this will be in my rotation for very long.
Another one better than yeezus
co-sign. Lose Control and Paper >>>> any track off Yeezus
Gangsta Gibbs’s worst song ever > Kanye’s best song ever.
Gibbs the next to get blown away in the hood
This shit sucks to me honestly but its whatevs
Meh Ill pass
You have to be in the right mood to listen to it…You can’t listen to it any time and love it. I think it’s a dope album when the time’s right
New Jay Z Magna Carta Holy Grail go get it www. hiphopgood .com
Year of B.Hudson. New Eps every month July out now. www. bhudsonmusic .com
It’s hard as fuck. A Street album to it’s core.
Gangsta Gibbs!!! Street shit no fairy floss sugar coated shit.
I can see why this got 3.5. While it is a solid Freddie Gibbs project, it’s still an album that sounds like a long mixtape, which really isn’t good. You cant go street hard all the time. I mean the niggas gangbangin on breakfast. Sometimes you need a track that slows it down, and chops the album up nicely, then you can bring it back hard. He did BFK a little better in all honesty and that one was free. He sounds great on it, very hungry, but very angry.
I don’t think that is a problem. I just played the album with no skipping at all, though some of the feature verses were.. Bad.
Cold Day In Hell is still the favorite project for me.
I liked it.
Gangsta Gibbs doin his thing as usual.
this shit rocks!
album of the year
Nobody gives a fuck about this dumb tupac lookin motherfucker
You heard this nigga before?? This mofo is a beast when he’s on top of his game…
No you are wrong there, nobody gives a fuck about you. You look like a turd.
Kill yourself!!! I bet lil wayne or chris brown is your favorite rapper.
album is a 3/5
very dissapointing
gangsta gibbs is THAT nigga. done
finally i see someone else compare him to tupac other then myself…
‘Freddie Gibbs is Hip Hop elemental’
This is what rap needs, bring some clarity on this fucking genre!
3.5?
faggot ass hiphopdx
1 listen album reviews are fucking up hip hop! 5/5
SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG
been bumpin this for the past week… beats hard as hell as are gibbs homies… nobody touchin it right now… no fluff or made for radio bullshit here
STR8 FIRE AS ALWAYS! #ESGN
Hot
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
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RICK ROSS is the Best Lyricist in the game
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That is incorrect
That may not be accurate.
Whoever rated this doesn’t know good music.Freddie Gibbs is way better than just about anybody out.I bet you’d probably rate 2chainz, lil wayne, birdman, or rick ross album 10 out of 10…. For the person that said rick ross is the best lyricist in the game should eat a bucket of dicks or if your gay already you should go eat some aids pussy.
Bahahaha fuck you, bitch ass nigga. Freddie Gibbs is one of the most repetetive, cliche gangster rappers out right now. “Oh, woe is me. The big bag gangster from the streets of fucking Gary, IN is so scary”. BORING.
Like any other players in the business you gotta respect the skills and the longevity
best of this year
With ‘Pinata’ just released, gotta say this is still his best work.
Who the fuck rated this lower than a 4? Only reason I didnt gave it a perfect 5 is Im very cheap in handing out perfect fives. In my opinion a maximum of about 20 albums deserve a 5, but rating this album under 4 is a joke, come on