With an enchanting allure, the voice of soul artist Norman Feels says “They said it couldn’t be done,” introducing Freddie Gibbs’ latest LP, “$oul $old $eparately,” released September 30th. These first few words serve as a running theme throughout the 15 track album, as Gibbs works to prove any naysayers wrong. The project — an impressive achievement of storytelling and raw lyricism — makes for Gibbs’ fifth solo studio release and his first album under Warner Records.

Off the heels of his 2020 Grammy nominated LP “Alfredo,” the Indiana-based rapper soared to a new height in his career. Featuring a stacked list of guest artists with the likes of Offset, Rick Ross, Pusha T and Raekwon, Gibbs successfully meshes old and new-age hip-hop, solidifying himself as a force to be reckoned with on this record. The album gives fans a closer glimpse into Gibbs’ rise to success while boasting a fresh hip-hop sound and an exciting lineup of guests.

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Throughout the album, Gibbs uses symbolism of a rabbit to represent how quick thinking led to the formation of the person he shows the world today. On songs like “Rabbit Vision” and “Space Rabbit,” Gibbs reminisces on his past, reflecting on how his “big picture” mentality led him to success. During his rise in the music industry, he quickly learned to be careful about granting others his trust, so he worked in silence and stayed in his own lane — a sentiment expressed throughout the project.

On tracks like “Too Much” and “Lobster Omelette,” Gibbs braggadociously flaunts his wealth, but avoids defaulting to a hollow or soulless attitude. He allows himself to indulge in material things as a means of repaying himself for all the struggles he endured on his arduous journey to success, maintaining a nice balance of pride and self reflection. 

In a lot of ways, this album represents a victory lap for Gibbs. As an artist who entered the music scene in 2009, the rapper proves he earned a moment to sit back and reap the benefits of his hard work. 

“I feel like everything that I really wanted to do with music, I’ve done it,” Gibbs said in an interview with Complex. “It’s time to collect the accolades, the awards, the money and all of that. I feel like I put in a good amount of work, especially into this project.”   

With “$oul $old $eparately,” Gibbs makes it clear that even though he has “made it” in the industry, he still approaches his craft with the same attitude and work ethic he possessed when he first started rapping. Ultimately, the album offers a collection of songs with well-crafted and personal songwriting not only that back up his pride, but also prove that he has indeed reached a new height of success as a rapper. 

4 space rabbits out of 5