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AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata Lyrics by Rock Genius

2014 Albums of the Year

2014

Madlib needs no introduction, so the rest of this paragraph is probably a waste of everyone’s time. Long a quietly-respected hip-hop producer prepared to dabble judiciously in jazz and funk, in 2004 he cemented his status as one of the most important artists in the genre. This was largely thanks to thrilling collaborations with MF Doom and J Dilla, two of a small number of hip-hop artists who could outstrip his underground credibility
By contrast, a year ago Freddie Gibbs was rather undistinguished. He had gained some fans for his versatile flow, but little to set him apart from other gangster rappers and get him some serious recognition. His 2012 mixtape, Baby Face Killa, was his best received project, gaining plaudits for its relatively varied subject matter, but 2013 was widely seen as a regression for the rapper from Indiana
It should come as little surprise, then, that Madlib’s work on Piñata was more hotly anticipated than Gibbs’ lyrics. Indeed, the production is more immediate, and Gibbs doesn’t even appear on the first track. The beats are as melodic as we expect from Madlib, but also very punchy and rhythmic, punctuating Gibbs’ measured flow. The short skits that bookend several of the tracks also add to the atmosphere, with Danny Brown coming down after “High” being a particular highlight
Although the production and the flow are what stand out on a first listen, the lyrics are also very worthwhile, displaying depth, subtlety and introspection way beyond what we’re used to from Freddie. On “Shitsville”, he channels both OutKast and Shakespeare:
You wake up every day and pray before you sleep, right?
You motherfuckers just like me
You shed tears when you're hurting; if I cut you, then you bleed, right?
You motherfuckers just like me
But bitch, you're acting like your shit don't stinkSimilar imagery features on “Deeper”. Principally a rant against his ex-girlfriend who left him for a man who is “tryna be a fuckin’ astronaut”, it also contains a brilliant twist and some real soul-searching:
Maybe you stank ho, maybe that's a bit mean
Maybe you grew up and I'm still living like I'm sixteenThere’s even an examination of the ethics of drug dealing on “Thuggin’”, where Freddie explores the tragedy of the commons. However, the lyrics aren’t the focus of this album. As mentioned, that’s Madlib’s beats and Gibbs’ flow, which is guaranteed to get you nodding your head, and then much of the rest of your body, too. Calling this “gangster rap”, whilst completely accurate, doesn’t do justice to the delightful sonic textures
Piñata isn't Madlib's best work, but that's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of when your best work is Madvillainy. It's certainly Gibbs' best album, and a total thrill that should be appreciated by fans of any genre
We're getting to the business end of the list. Come back tomorrow for #10. While you wait, be sure to catch up on the list so far!
Credits
Rock Genius

Rock Genius

About “AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata” by Rock Genius

Read the complete lyrics to "AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata" by Rock Genius from the album "2014 Albums of the Year" in 2014. On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Non-Music, Review, Rock.

"AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata" is performed by Rock Genius. from the album "2014 Albums of the Year" in 2014 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata", explore more songs by Rock Genius using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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"AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata" is credited to Rock Genius. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"AOTY #11: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata" appears on "2014 Albums of the Year" in 2014.

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