Following their last effort, critically-acclaimed Piñata, MadGibbs is back and better than ever releasing 15-track Bandana. With a compilation of varying production that was claimed to be done solely on an iPad, Madlib creates plenty of dope opportunities for both Gibbs and a couple of dope features to take advantage of.
Let’s hope the duo will be performing together this month during Gibbs’ set during Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park.
Here’s our top 5 tracks off of Bandana.
“Half Manne Half Cocaine”
I consider this as the intro track, it does well to set a tone for the rest of this album. As of right now, I can’t decide which half of this track I like better. Freddie does well in “Half Manne” to flow over this hard, trappy beat; while Madlib adds an addicting synth that underlays beautifully during the hook after his first verse. In “Half Cocaine”, Madlib adds a familiar vocal vox sample from “Dust A Sound Boy” which is also sampled in Kanye West’s 2012 collaborative track “Mercy”. While Gibbs raps concise quick-witted rhymes in “Half Manne”, “Half Cocaine” is a descriptive and dark journey navigating through street life through drug dealing.
“Crime Pays”
My favorite out of the three pre-album singles, Crime Pays gives us everything we’d want from a MadGibbs track. This song is perfectly tailored for hip-hop fans, with it offering a bit of everything. Super clean bridge, Freddie’s cocaine bars, and a fantastic sample from Madlib. I really enjoy the second verse on this track, Freddie challenges the softer bridge with quick bar spitting. The verse provides substantial duality between his verses and Madlib’s sample from “Free Spirits” by Walt Barr which gives this song lots of replay value.
“Palmolive” feat. Killer Mike and Pusha T
This is honestly my favorite track off this album. Gibbs opens this track with a really strong verse, giving his take on current world issues as well as running through trials and tribulations as a kid from Gary. Killer Mike’s chorus on this track is the first feature on Bandana; he’s able to set a really high standard for future features… which Pusha T matches, if not surpasses. Push recently dropped another feature with his opening verse on “Cokewhite” off Goldlink’s Diaspora which blew me away. He continues his hot streak on this track, and we’re looking forward to seeing both Push and Freddie Gibbs at Pitchfork Music Festival later this month.
“Cataracts”
In another solo track, Freddie delivers more of an uplifting vibe on this track. Although the lyrics don’t necessarily represent that, the production gives it a lighthearted feel. Freddie does well to lead into the chorus with a great pre-chorus. I memorized this hook on my second listen, it’s crazy catchy. Madlib is able to give a nostalgic vibe throughout this track, and we’re fortunate enough to experience yet another beatswitch. Fantastic song front to back.
“Education” feat. Yasiin Bey & Black Thought
Everyone saw this on the tracklist and knew it’d be one of the more notable tracks of the year. To say I was really impressed with this track would be an understatement. Although I really loved Nas’ “Bonjour” off of his eleventh studio album, Nasir, I think Madlib sampled the same track, “Dance Music” by R.D Burman, immaculately. A bit faster than “Bonjour”, Education gives each of these unbelievably talented artists their own space to work. The legend Yasiin Bey throws out a special verse fit with storytelling and wordplay that gives fans a nostalgic feel while listening. Black Thought really continues that vibe, with trademark tongue-twisters and quick one-liners. Gibbs gives his own shot at this production and aggressively educates us, which he does a stellar job of throughout one of the albums of the year, Bandana.
