Freddie Gibbs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Freddie Gibbs
Gibbs performing in 2014
Background information
Birth name	Fredrick Jamel Tipton
Also known as	Gangsta Gibbs Freddie Kane Kane Freddie Forgiato Big Boss Rabbit Steel City Stick-Up Kid
Born	(1982-06-14) June 14, 1982 (age 43) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Genres	Hip-hop gangsta rap alternative hip-hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Warner ESGN Str8 Slammin' CTE World Decon Interscope No Tamin

Fredrick Jamel Tipton (born June 14, 1982), known as Freddie Gibbs, is an American rapper and songwriter. He is famous for his unique rapping style and his many successful albums.

Gibbs first signed with Interscope Records in 2006. He planned to release his first album with them, but it was canceled. Later, he joined Young Jeezy's CTE World label in 2011. There, he released popular mixtapes like Baby Face Killa (2012).

After leaving CTE in 2013, Gibbs started his own label called ESGN. He released his first studio album, ESGN, that same year. His albums Shadow of a Doubt (2015) and You Only Live 2wice (2017) were well-received by critics. His fourth album, Freddie (2018), was also highly praised.

In 2022, his album Soul Sold Separately was released by Warner Records. It reached number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart. Freddie Gibbs has also made four successful collaboration albums. Two were with Madlib as MadGibbs: Piñata (2014) and Bandana (2019). Two others were with the Alchemist: Fetti (2018, also with Currensy) and Alfredo (2020). Alfredo was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

In 2024, he was featured on a song called "Back to Me" by Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign. This song reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Early Life and Start in Music

Fredrick Tipton was born and grew up in Gary, Indiana. He lived on the east side of the city. He played American football at Ball State University with a sports scholarship, but he later left college.

After college, he worked at a mall in Gary. There, he met a local hip hop producer named Finger Roll. Finger Roll had the only music studio in Gary at the time. Gibbs joined Finger Roll's No Tamin Entertainment group and began his journey as a rapper.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out and Joining CTE World (2004–2011)

Freddie Gibbs began his rap career in 2004. He released his first full project, a mixtape called Full Metal Jackit. He followed it with a second mixtape that same year. Around this time, he signed with Interscope Records and started working on his first studio album. However, he was dropped from the label in 2006 when the person who signed him left the company.

Gibbs continued to release his own mixtapes. In August 2010, he released his first extended play (EP) called Str8 Killa.

Gibbs (right) with Young Jeezy in August 2011

In 2011, he signed with Young Jeezy's record label, CTE World. In February 2011, Gibbs announced he had joined a supergroup called Pulled Over by the Cops (P.O.C.). This group included fellow rappers King Chip and The Cool Kids.

In October, he released the mixtape Cold Day in Hell. This mixtape featured other famous artists like Young Jeezy, Juicy J, and 2 Chainz. It received a lot of attention from music magazines. Gibbs also started working with hip hop producer Madlib. They released their first two EPs, Thuggin' in September 2011 and Shame in June 2012.

After Cold Day in Hell, Gibbs announced his next mixtape would be Baby Face Killa. It was released on September 25, 2012. It included guest appearances from artists like Pharrell Williams and Jadakiss. A song from the album, "Still Livin'", was even featured in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V.

Solo Albums and Piñata (2012–2018)

On December 11, 2012, Gibbs shared that he was no longer part of Young Jeezy's CTE label. He explained that there were no hard feelings between them. On May 27, 2013, Freddie Gibbs announced his first official album, ESGN (which stands for Evil Seeds Grow Naturally). It was planned for July 9, 2013, but was released earlier on June 20 because it leaked online.

In September 2013, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib released Deeper. This was the last EP before their full album, Piñata, which came out on March 18, 2014. The album was highly praised by music critics. It reached number 39 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

On July 1, 2014, Gibbs, Young Thug, and ASAP Ferg released a song called "Old English". This song was very popular and sold over 500,000 copies. In October 2014, Gibbs and Madlib released another EP called Knicks (Remix).

In March 2015, Gibbs released a three-song EP called Pronto. Then, his second solo studio album, Shadow of a Doubt, came out on November 20, 2015. His third solo album, You Only Live 2wice, was released in March 2017. In June 2018, he surprised fans by releasing his fourth studio album, Freddie, without any prior announcement.

More Collaborations and Growing Success (2018–Present)

After the success of Piñata, Gibbs and Madlib announced in 2016 that they were working on a second album together. This album, Bandana, was released in June 2019. It was also highly praised by critics.

Gibbs also worked a lot with producer the Alchemist. Their first project together was Fetti, a collaboration with Gibbs, the Alchemist, and rapper Currensy. Fetti was released in October 2018. Gibbs and the Alchemist then teamed up again for their second album, Alfredo, in May 2020. Alfredo was a big success, reaching number 15 on the Billboard 200. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

In June 2020, Gibbs signed with Warner Records. He released several singles through this label, including "4 Thangs" with Big Sean, "Gang Signs" with Schoolboy Q, and "Big Boss Rabbit". His first album with Warner, and fifth solo album overall, Soul Sold Separately, was released in September 2022.

Besides music, Gibbs also appeared in the TV show Power Book IV: Force in March 2022. On October 30, 2024, Gibbs announced his sixth studio album, You Only Die 1nce, which was released on November 1.

Artistry and Influences

Critics often praise Freddie Gibbs for his strong rapping skills and how he can change his style. He has been called "the eternal technician" and a "classic rapper's rapper" because of his technique and versatility. His music has been featured in video games like Max Payne 3, NBA 2K12, Sleeping Dogs, and Grand Theft Auto V.

Gibbs has shared that many artists have influenced his music. Some of these include Scarface, DMX, Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Personal Life

On November 4, 2014, Freddie Gibbs was in a car after a performance in New York when someone shot at the car. Gibbs was not hurt, but two people with him received minor injuries.

In May 2015, Gibbs started a GoFundMe campaign to help buy school supplies for children in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. He explained that he wanted to help students have the basic supplies they need to succeed in school.

Gibbs has said that he identifies most closely as a Muslim, describing it as a personal connection with God. He is a father to two children: a daughter born in 2015 and a son from an earlier relationship.

Discography

Studio Albums

• ESGN (2013)
• Shadow of a Doubt (2015)
• You Only Live 2wice (2017)
• Freddie (2018)
• $oul $old $eparately (2022)
• You Only Die 1nce (2024)

Collaboration Albums

• Piñata with Madlib (2014)
• Fetti with Curren$y and the Alchemist (2018)
• Bandana with Madlib (2019)
• Alfredo with the Alchemist (2020)

Key Mixtapes and EPs

• Full Metal Jackit: The Mixtape, Vol. 1 (2004)
• Str8 Killa - EP (2010)
• Cold Day In Hell (2011)
• Baby Face Killa (2012)
• Thuggin' - EP with Madlib (2011)
• Shame - EP with Madlib (2012)
• Deeper - EP with Madlib (2013)

Concert Tours

Headlining Tours

• Shadow of a Doubt Tour (2016)
• You Only Live 2wice Tour (2017)
• Freddie Tour (2018)
• The Album of the Year Tour (2019)
• Space Rabbit Tour (2022)

Co-headlining Tours

• Independent Grind Tour 2014 (with Tech N9ne) (2014)

Filmography

Television Appearances

Film Appearances

Awards and Nominations