Freddie Gibbs
Fredrick Jamel Tipton (born June 14, 1982), better known by his stage name Freddie Gibbs, is an American rapper. He signed with Interscope Records in 2006 and recorded his debut album for the label; however, its release was cancelled and he was dropped from the label due to executive shakeups. Gibbs later signed with Young Jeezy's CTE World in 2011 and released a number of mixtapes through the label, including his highly acclaimed Baby Face Killa (2012).[3][4][5]
Not to be confused with Fredia Gibbs.
Freddie Gibbs
Fredrick Jamel Tipton
- Gangsta Gibbs
- Freddie Kane
- Kane
- Freddie Forgiato
- Big Boss Rabbit
June 14, 1982
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
- Rapper
- songwriter
2004–present[2]
- Warner
- ESGN
- Str8 Slammin'
- CTE World
- Decon
- Interscope
- No Tamin
2
After leaving CTE in early 2013, Gibbs formed his own label ESGN, namesake of his debut studio album released in June of that year. His second and third albums, Shadow of a Doubt (2015) and You Only Live 2wice (2017) were both met with positive critical and moderate commercial reception—the latter contained no guest appearances. His fourth album, Freddie (2018) was met with critical acclaim, while his fifth album and major label debut, Soul Sold Separately (2022) was released by Warner Records and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200. In addition, he has released four collaborative albums; two with Madlib (as MadGibbs): Piñata (2014) and Bandana (2019); and two with the Alchemist: Fetti (2018, also with Currensy) and Alfredo (2020)—the latter received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[6] His guest appearance on Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign's 2024 song, "Back to Me" peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and yielded his furthest mainstream recognition, though he remains uncredited on the official chart.
Early life[edit]
Fredrick Tipton was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, and grew up at 17th and Virginia St. on the city's east side.[7] He played football at Ball State University on an athletic scholarship but was eventually expelled from college.[8] At the age of 19, he was enlisted into the U.S. Army as part of a pre-trial diversion program when he was on trial for theft and gun charges, but was dishonorably discharged only eight months later after being caught smoking marijuana.[9]
He then began working at a Gary mall, where he met local hip hop producer Finger Roll, who, according to Gibbs, was "the only guy [in Gary] that had a studio." Gibbs then joined Finger Roll's No Tamin Entertainment crew and began pursuing a rap career.[10]
On a December 8, 2022, the All The Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Tipton revealed that his father, Warren Tipton, is a member of the Chi-Lites, having joined the group in 2018 as a singer.[11]
P.O.C.
Career[edit]
2004–2011: Career beginnings and CTE World[edit]
Gibbs' rap career began in 2004, self-releasing his first full-length project, a mixtape titled Full Metal Jackit, which he followed up with a sequel that same year.[12] Around that time, he was signed to Interscope Records and began working on his debut album, but was dropped from the label in late 2006, when the man that signed him, Joe Weinberger, left the label.[13][14] Gibbs released his first extended play Str8 Killa in August 2010.[15]
Artistry[edit]
Critics have recognized Gibbs' technically proficient and stylistically diverse rapping ability. Matthew Ramirez of NPR has described him as "the eternal technician";[52] Tshepo Mokoena of The Guardian characterized him as "a classic rapper's rapper" and stated that "when it comes to technique and versatility, he can take your breath away".[53] He was featured on the soundtracks for Max Payne 3, NBA 2K12,[54] Sleeping Dogs, and Grand Theft Auto V.[55]
Gibbs has listed Scarface, DMX, Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Geto Boys, UGK, Three 6 Mafia, Outkast, Raekwon, Eminem, Twista, Ice Cube, Noreaga, Juvenile, Spice 1, De La Soul, Kool G Rap, Black Thought, Mos Def, Jeezy, and Ol' Dirty Bastard as some of his influences.[56]
Personal life[edit]
On November 4, 2014, a gunman opened fire on Gibbs, who was sitting in a car after he had finished performing at a record store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. Gibbs escaped unharmed and two members of his entourage received non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.[57]
In May 2015, Gibbs launched a GoFundMe to help School Supply Giveaway of Gary purchase school supplies for children in Gary, Indiana.[58] On the site page, Gibbs explained, "Growing up in Gary there was little opportunity for a kid like me to make something of myself. Not having the basic supplies ... left a lot of us with little motivation to do well in school and turned a lot of us to darker paths. By helping these students acquire the basic supplies every student needs and deserves you will be maximizing their chances at a brighter future."[58]
Before performing a concert Le Rex in Toulouse, France, in June 2016, Gibbs was arrested on a European arrest warrant issued for a rape alleged to have taken place in Austria in 2015,[59][60] and extradited to Austria on sexual assault charges,[61] Gibbs said he "has no intention of escaping justice, whether French or Austrian"[61] and was charged the following month with sexual abuse charges on two women.[62]
After being held in jail for a number of weeks he was released on bail of €50,000,[63] and acquitted on all charges in September 2016.[64]
Gibbs has said that while he is not a fan of organized religion, he most closely identifies as a Muslim, calling it "a personal relationship between myself and God."[65]
Gibbs is the father of two children: a daughter (born 2015) with his ex-fiancée Erica Dickerson and a son from a previous relationship.[66][67][68]
Controversy[edit]
Gibbs has been involved in several public beefs with other rappers, most notably, Benny the Butcher of Buffalo, New York-based rap group, Griselda, and Jim Jones. In December of 2021, it was reported that Freddie Gibbs was beat up by members of Jim Jones' entourage at a restaurant in Miami.[69] Then, in 2022, after trading insults with Benny the Butcher over social media for several months, Freddie Gibbs was beat up by a large mob of people while on a date at a Dinosaur-BBQ location in Buffalo, New York. TMZ acquired footage of the brawl, leading the video to go viral.[70]
Studio albums
Collaboration albums