When Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist worked together for the first time on a collaborative project, the year was 2018. Travis Scott released ASTROWORLD, Pusha T released Daytona, and both Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar were fresh off droping their own body of work too, with 4:44 and DAMN both respectively dropping in 2017, Migos were the hottest groups in Hip-Hop, so the culture was in a hot spot. Freddie Gibbs had arguably dropped one of the best projects of the decade with Madlib in 2014, so it was an exciting prospect for people to finally get to hear a full-length project with Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist, and New Orleans’ very own Curren$y all on the same project.

Since then, Freddie Gibbs went on to release Bandana, the sequel to Pinata with Madlib, and whilst people are still waiting for the third instalment in Montana , (Madlib’s house was destroyed to the Los Angeles fires earlier this year so in jeopardy) Gibbs continued to work with The Alchemist, and released what would arguably become the best album of 2020 with Alfredo, a fresh perspective with Gibbs fulfilling many people’s dreams: working with both Madlib and The Alchemist on a constant basis. How many people can proudly claim they’ve both worked with two of the best Hip-Hop has ever seen?

Freddie Gibbs with Madlib? Freddie Gibbs with The Alchemist? This is the one question on everyone’s minds. Who does Freddie Gibbs work with best? Whilst an interesting question to pose and a fascinating conversation to have amongst music fans, this isn’t exactly why we’re here.

We’re here to decrypt Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist’s Alfredo 2. Soulful, melodramatic, sweet and sophisticated are the first adjectives to use when describing what the music in your ears sounds like- Shangri La and I Still Love H.E.R are great examples of that, but what sets Freddie Gibbs appart - yes, because many could hop on The Alchemist’s beats and express themselves, but it wouldn’t always hit right - is his ability to turn a melodic instrumental into something so pure and so authentic only Freddie Gibbs could do it. His vivid storytelling on Shangri La where Gibbs talks about weighing in his options when it comes to women, and vulgarly insulting anyone who is trying to do him wrong like Zion (Williamson) was. What about The Alchemist you ask? Well he concoted the most laid back beat for Gibbs to speak his truth on. Opposites working incredibly well together.

Hearing Gas Station Sushi just makes you want to start making your own beats - because The Alchemist is making it seem so easy -. Gibbs still talking about not trusting women and being able to make Fetti himself with just The Alchemist - seemingly dissing Curren$y - We promised, no debates when it comes to reviews. Just music. Still not a great position for Uncle AL to be in though.

Freddie Gibbs is slowly but surely building one of the best discographies of all-time in this rap game. One glance at his discography and it wouldn’t be difficult to pinpoint Gibbs’ excellent artistry. Each of his projects bringing different components and sounds, and working with the best out without fail and without disappointing music fans is something that cannot be denied. But beyond Gibbs’ music, it is his artistic direction and creativity that have always paid off. In the same year of 2018, right before Fetti was released, Freddie Gibbs released Freddie, with the album cover taking after Teddy Pendergrass’ Teddy of 1979.

Back in 2015, when Freddie Gibbs released Shadow of a Doubt, he even sampled 1973’s The Exorcist main theme Tubular Bells on Forever And A Day. Freddie Gibbs has always been a special artist beyond what we can see the surface, always paying respect to the music that has inspired him to make music himself. Alfredo 2 is no different, Freddie Gibbs gathered with The Alchemist and released one of the best projects of 2025, point blank.

It’s important to highlight that 2025 has been a very interesting year for Hip-Hop to say the least, fans have been blessed for weeks now, listening to a variety of hip-hop, from Clipse, to Boldy James, to Tyler The Creator and Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, it's still processing time for us, trying to understand what the reason was for July being a far superior month for music release than the period of January to June. Writing this and hearing JID pop out on Gold Feet is kind of proving this point. It’s been a blessed time for hip-hop fans and we’d be the first to tell you that.

The Alchemist’s production on Alfredo 2 is meticulous. Listening to Lemon Pepper Steppers closely is an experience, on one hand acknowledging Gibbs’ unconditional love for women in his lyrics, and acknowledging all of the different layers coming from the instrumental. Attempting to debunk every individual beat on Alfredo 2 can be arduous work, but one thing is for sure, from Lemon Pepper Steppers to Ensalada and Empanadas, The Alchemist is showcasing his range, even embodying his inner Madlib on Empanada - a song that resembles Thuggin in its production, though a lot more discreet.