Best known for his ruthless bars and impeccable flow, Freddie Gibbs had his rising reputation stunted by legal obstacles throughout 2016. After being acquitted of sexual assault allegations back in September, the Gary rapper is now focused on finding his way back to the top of the hip-hop hierarchy. 

Gibbs has triumphantly resurfaced on “Friends,” a smooth and sentimental offering produced by iLL Brown of TeamBackPack. The collaborative effort also features R&B singer Bj The Chicago Kid and rapper G-Wiz, and serves as a bittersweet ode to close friendships that have ended due to street violence. 

Chicago producer iLL Brown tenderizes a classic boom bap beat with piano keys and soul-shattering bass, creating the perfect backdrop for the song's mournful focus. Throughout the three-minute cut, Gibbs and G-Wiz spit nostalgically morose rhymes about the friends they’ve lost to violence throughout the years. On the heartfelt hook, Bj The Chicago Kid interpolates his own rendition of the classic ’80s hit “Friends” by Whodini.      

 

“I look around and wonder where all my real niggas went/A victim of violence, moment of silence, let me reminisce,” Gibbs laments in his verse.     

 

“Friends” will be featured on iLL Brown’s upcoming EP Don’t Forget The Dope, a collection of unreleased hip-hop collaborations expected to drop later this fall. The emotionally robust track signifies an imminent revival for Gibbs, who was also revealed to be working on collaborative EP with the prolific New Orleans bred rapper Curren$y.  

“Friends” is the perfect sentimental sound to smoke one in memory of the friends and family that have passed. So sit back, spark up some "Freddie Kane OG," and reminisce away as Gibbs and co. walk you through their own disheartening experiences with loss.