GYATT DAMMIT, They’ve Done It Again: Reviewing Freddie Gibbs’s Alfredo 2

Alfredo 2, Released on July 25th, 2025

The musical landscape as of late has felt so bland. Whether it be the lack of new music from my favorites or Drake’s half ass attempt at making a comeback, nothing as of late has made me make the proverbial "stank face" that comes with a memorable verse or a hard-hitting beat. That was until this came out.

From the moment the countdown began on my Spotify, Freddie Gibb's "Alfredo 2" has been highly anticipated by me and several others. And yes, I do mean SEVERAL others because I don't give a f**k who you are, what you like or don't like, y'all ain't gone act like Frederick doesn't make hits and you for SURELY won't act like Uncle Al doesn't either, but I digress, this blog is a safe space for me to share my opinions FREE OF BIAS. Now that I've given them both their flowers, let's talk noodles.

Aside from an occasional feature here and there and a heavy social media presence (one almost as entertaining as his music), this is Freddie Gibbs's first full length project since 2020, a full five years. And only his second with producer The Alchemist, the first being the previous "Alfredo" installment.

"1995" was the lone single to be released, a nice little appetizer before the full course, but I'm a meat and potatoes guy. I don't do too much "coursing". If this were an Olive Garden, these would be the breadsticks and salad. Something to put on my stomach after starving myself all day, but now, I'm ready for the FETTUCINE and CARBONARA.

I won't hold you, my first run thru, I skipped "1995". I had heard it enough leading up to the release. I need something new. Enter track 2: "Mar-a-Lago". Although not the first track, it's a perfect starting point and an idea of what to expect on this project. It's sensual, sleek, and smooth. With the sound of windchimes strewn all throughout, it's like something straight out of a 70s blaxploitation film. It's the musical equivalent of walking into a cigar lounge with a pair of gators and a chinchilla coat. It's the perfect start to the album and in my honest opinion, this should've been the single or the intro. It's a cool, laidback track. Just something to coast to. And with an audio bite from John Singleton's certified hood classic "Baby Boy", I really can't ask for much more. This track hit all the right notes.

Now, if you're not already familiar with him or in case you forgot what he's capable of, Lemon-Pepper Steppers is the reality check you've been needing. Freddie Gibbs pulls no punches. Just straight spittin'. Nothing too fancy or over the top. Just flowing, from start to finish. The perfect track for any lyrical, spiritual individual. At some points throughout the song, you can even hear Freddie start to lose his breath. Bro is quite literally putting his life on the line to record this song, this time over a more ominous beat, very reminiscent of Sin City or a Scorsese film score. I know I haven't really mentioned it up until this point, but Alchemist's production is some of the best of all time. Now, the reason I haven't done so is because after these first 3 tracks, the album REALLY starts to take off. The production, the features, everything changes and starts to become something more MY speed.

Anyone who knows me knows I love neo-soul, I love sound, and I feel that a good beat is the driving force behind any chart-topping song. It's the way most of these supposed musical artists have mislead you to believe that they can actually go a full 16 on a track, until you have someone like a Freddie Gibbs and an Alchemist on a track together and you realize that a lot of these so-called "rappers" don't really rap like that. "Ensalada" is everything you could want from a track. Wordplay, a solid beat, a great hook, and Anderson .Paak. Because why wouldn't he be there? Why wouldn't this be my favorite song up until this point? Did you forget the part where I mentioned neo-soul?

This was the first track on the album to make me audibly yell "oooohhhh shit" in my car while driving. I had to hit the replay button and start it from the top. Cool, I'm locked in. But now I'm left with more questions than answers. Why is Freddie just repeating salad in Spanish over and over again? "Ensalada, ensalada, ensalada....ohhhh, it's a lotta". A play on words that would make even your mother chuckle. Simple, I know, and probably underwhelming to most, but I feel him. Ensalada people I don't care for either. YOU, the person reading, might even be one of them, but I thank you for your contribution and I'm glad we both ended up here together one way or another. Entendres and jokes aside, Freddie goes in on this track and shows once again why he's one of the best and most consistent rappers when it comes to verses. Add onto all this Anderson .Paak's contribution on the hook, it weaves the song together perfectly making this one a potential "song of the year" candidate. I know you people though. Y'all would never let that happen. The only other thing I'll say about this song is I can see why everybody collectively agrees it's the best on the album and honestly, I'm not totally opposed to this take. I could also see someone who doesn't normally listen to Freddie Gibbs liking this song as well. But is it MY favorite? Nah. It comes close, but no cigar.

My favorite track is EASILY "Lavish Habits". From the moment I heard that snazzy guitar riff and Freddie talking to himself like a fiend off a rock, I was immediately hooked. Containing what sounds like it could be a sample of "Bumpy's Lament", Alchemist flips it in a way I haven't heard anyone else flip it. Not Dre, not Sister Erykah, nobody. And the reason I say it sounds like it COULD be is because the beat is so unique and so different that if it IS "Bumpy's Lament", it sounds like a totally different track now.  It almost reminds me of Steely Dan, my favorite band from that era, which may be the reason I'm so obsessed with it. Regardless of what it is or isn't, what it is is flames. It's no crazy hi hats or 808s, just a dreamy sample and a cool flow. Even though the flow is calm though, the verse is everything but that. With shots at Gunna, Akademiks, and a crazy Diddy bar that I will not quote here, this song was both unserious as hell and memorable enough for me to quote in the title of this post.

Freddie clearly has a bone to pick with several people in the industry but if the beef means more music like this and more jabs at Ak, serve me up some more. I'm here for it. This track definitely deserves the same recognition as "Ensalada", but you could say the same about "Empanadas", "Feeling." and the rest of the album. Because on an album that features JID, how is it his track isn't even in the discussion? It's not a testament of how good or bad the track is (because it definitely took another listen to grow on me), I think there's just so much to take away and so many gems on this album, to walk away with just one feels almost ludicrous. Did you listen to the whole album? Are you really willing to leave this much heat on the table? I know I'm not. With all that being said, I have nothing else to say.

"Alfredo 2" is the album I've been DYING for. No specific artist or sound in particular, just something MEMORABLE. Something I can play in the car, something I can write about, and in a true act of irony, something I can write to.  Although formulaic at times and similar to all his other work, I'm a firm believer in the idea that if something works and is a success, there's no reason to overcomplicate things and ruin the entire system. In other words, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So, as I type this with "I Still Love H.E.R" on repeat, I thank you Freddie Gibbs for another instant classic. Me and the 20 people listening appreciate you. A round of applause for the Alchemist as well because Freddie definitely showed out, but these beats damn near carrying the whole project on their own. Best believe I will be working to the "Alfredo 2" instrumental album the same way I did the previous one. And if you made it this far, thank YOU for reading.

Final Verdict: Solid 9. "Skinny Suge II" was the only track I wasn't feeling. Weirdly enough, it sounds like Kurt Angle's TNA Wrestling theme which I just can't take my mind off of. Aside from that, this album deserves every bit of praise its getting but it's not getting the recognition it should, nor will it get any play on the radio. Why? I don't know, but I hope this post will make you reconsider. Go give it a listen. Form your own opinions. Just remember, this one's mine.