This article is the fourth instalment of a 10-part album review series by Paschal M.

Ever since the unexpected release of their single “Thuggin’” in 2011, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib have proved to be a match made in heaven, and have continued to display their talents with the album Piñata. Both musicians have great reputations in the production of meticulous hip-hop tracks. It is generally acknowledged that Madlib doesn’t associate himself with ‘inadequate’ MC’s, and the same could be said about Freddie Gibbs, so it shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise that they would ultimately work together. Freddie Gibbs references the gangster lifestyle a great deal in his lyrics; for instance, he alludes to his trouble quitting his drug-dealing tendencies on tracks such as “Broken”, as well as other general delinquent behaviour mentioned throughout the album. He certainly doesn’t seem to be promoting this way of life, but is simply acknowledging the circumstances he was in. Madlib complements Freddie Gibbs’ ghetto lyricism with more trap-influenced beats contrasting his usual production style. Regardless, he executes the production within Piñata excellently.

In songs such as “Deeper,” the track is fore-fronted by a modulated high-pitched violin screeching over a steady low baseline, complementing Freddie’s drug-riddled vocals well whilst creating a distressing tone to the track. There isn’t a single track on this album that I couldn’t enjoy in some way. The only notable drawback of this album is that it maintains a clear theme so obviously; it can become slightly tedious to sit through a 17-track album lacking in diversity. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib prove that even though they have distinctly different approaches to hip- hop, they can still cooperate well enough to produce an impressive record.