We Had a Pleasant Conversation with Freddie Gibbs

Freddie Forgiato is not big on smiling. Photo by Virgil Solis, via Facebook.
Freddie Gibbs is arguably the most aggressive and talented rapper in the music industry right now. With casual lines like, “911 is a joke don’t dial it,” and music videos with grittily realistic depictions of B&Es, Freddie does not make music for your aunt’s wedding shower. Even the way he conducts phone interviews is intense and direct. Usually when you call an artist for a phoner (that’s journalist-speak for phone conversation), you get routed through their manager or label. With Freddie Gibbs, you get his direct cell phone number and you call that man yourself.

Given that Freddie’s on a high from the success of his new collaborative album with Madlib, Piñata, which our sister site Noisey published an amazingly comprehensive (and visually flashy) feature story on last week, we figured it would be a good time to have a quick conversation with him about his desire to play in Canada (his previous, let’s say, legal troubles are preventing him from crossing the border), what kind of drugs fit best into a piñata, and how much unreleased music Mr. Gibbs has in his vault.

VICE: Let’s talk about Canada for a sec. You actually went on a tour with some Canadian friends of mine in Australia, BADBADNOTGOOD.
Freddie Gibbs: Oh yeah? I fuck with them.

Yeah, a lot of people in Canada fuck with you pretty heavy. Them included. It’s a bummer you can’t make it up here.
After I do this Tech N9ne tour, I’m going to try and work something out with my lawyer so I can make it there.

Is there any progress on that, or is that just something you’re working on right now?
It’s definitely something I’m working on right now. I think I’ve just got to save some money.

They don’t make that cheap, do they?
Naw, they don’t make it cheap.

Are you worried about the Toronto Raptors messing with the Bulls this year in the playoffs?

Yeah.. the Raptors came up, man. I’m surprised man, but really, I’m not surprised. They’ve got a lot of good, young talent. Hats off to the Raptors. They’ve got a good team. I respect the Raptors. They came up.

Cool… So, I’m a huge fan of Piñata. I think it’s incredible. What it’s like to only work with one producer on a project?

It was cool. You’ve gotta be a great producer to do that. It shows how great Madlib is.

Is there anyone else on that level that you think you could do a similar project with?
I’m versatile! I could do a whole project with just about anybody. I mean, not anybody, but a producer like Alchemist, or guys of that nature…

That would be awesome. I read you already have another album completed?
Yeah, I’m workin’ on Eastside Slim. That’s my new album.

Looking forward to it. Where did the name Piñata come from, anyway?
Ah, I just had a dream about stuffing piñatas full of drugs…

[Laughs] And that really stuck with you?
Yeah.

What drugs?
All kinds of drugs.

Just anything and everything?
Cocaine, preferably.

Yeah, that’s a good thing to put in a piñata… You’ve got a giant tour with Tech N9ne coming up, but who’s been your favourite person to tour with thus far?
I haven’t toured with many people, so really, just me. [Laughs]

Do you get crazy when you’re out there, or is it all business?
It’s all business for me, man. Just staying on top of what I’ve got to stay on top of.

Do you work a lot at improving your live show? The live show tends to be where a lot of rappers aren’t so great, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about your skills on stage. I obviously haven’t seen you, because I’m Canadian, but…
Yeah, man, I definitely put a lot into my live show. There’s not a lot of theatrics, but I’m not lip-syncing over my songs. I’m actually rapping—really just showing the art of good rapping on stage. Bringing the story to the stage.

If you had a huge budget, would you want theatrics?
I don’t need all that. We could add a little bit. Probably a screen behind me, or something like that. A big ass screen. I don’t need too much, I just wanna give you the raw rap. I could bring stories to the stage. Just me and the mic. I don’t need a whole gang of people on stage, nothing like that.

Are you the kind of guy who has a lot of unreleased music? Are you always in the studio?
I’m always working towards something. I’ve probably got a good, hundred-something unreleased songs. I can put it all out if I want to.

You’ve gone through some sketchy label drama. Now that you’re in complete control of your music, what advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career?
Just take control of your career, as much control as you can. That would be my advice.

Do you think that the mishaps with various labels help you figure out where you’re supposed to be today?
Yeah, definitely. It opened my eyes to a lot. You’ve gotta learn. I felt like I dealt with those pitfalls accordingly.

Sure sounds like it. On Piñata, it sounds like there are people you’re alluding to, in your personal life, who you’re mad at. Has anyone in your real life got upset at you over stuff you’ve rapped about?
Naw, because I’m telling the truth. I’m not lying. I’m just telling the truth.

I heard you tried to get Jay Z on “Shitsville,” how did that go?
[Laughs] I wish I could get Jay Z on a song. I was joking about that.

Oh.
He’s one of my heroes. I love Jay Z. I just hope that I can be on his level one day.

Yeah, man. Well, I hear he’s on the internet a lot, so he probably knows all about you. Is there anything you wanna say to the people of Canada who want to see you live soon?
If I ever book a show in Canada, please make sure it sell out, man. I want to show Canada what I can do.

Cool, well, we want to see it! Hopefully it can happen sometime soon.
Alright, bro. I appreciate it.

@patrickmcguire