Eight Gigs: Freddie Gibbs

Freddie Gibbs went from a mixtape sensationout of Gary, Ind., to one of the most universally praised rappers, working with Young Jeezy and Juicy J while collaborating with Los Angeles producer Madlib. The latter partnership resulted in a breakout release called Piñata that paired Gibbs’ silky gruff with Madlib’s deep crates of Blaxploitation-era samples and funk grooves. Follow-up release Shadow of a Doubt further solidified Gibbs’ track record of certified slammin’ rap. Since the release of midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik in 2009, Gangsta Gibbs has amassed one of the most consistent discographies in rap. 2708 J Street, www.esgnrecords.com.