Hailing from Gary, Indiana, a place whose murder and crime rates have ranked it several times at the top of the "Most Dangerous Cities" list, Freddie Gibbs is the true definition of a street survivor. Raised on Gary's east side, Gibbs lived the hard life firsthand in a run-down industrial community plagued with vice and ignored by the establishment. After playing at Ball State on a football scholarship, Gibbs was kicked out of college. Over the next few years he went through court-ordered boot camp, joined and got discharged from the military, and held down a series of 9 to 5 jobs without success. Feeling like the system had failed him, Gibbs turned to hustling; pimping and selling crack out of a local house. Inspired by rappers like UGK, The Geto Boys, and 2Pac, Gibbs started rhyming about his life and the issues facing urban youth in Gary and the countless other impoverished cities just like it. Gibbs is the first rapper signed to a major label from Gary.
The Steel City's most famous musical residents to date are the Jackson 5, whose name still adorns a marquee on a falling-apart theater in Gary's blighted downtown. His desire to rep the Midwest and his city led Gibbs to start recording mixtapes and pushing them online as well as the streets, where he quickly began garnering fans drawn to his original style, diverse flows, and deeply personal lyrics about his experience as a young black man growing up below the poverty line in a forgotten American city.
Freddie has worked with respected producers like Madlib, Red Spyda, Just Blaze, Buckwild, the Alchemist, Polow Da Don, and Collipark among many others. Gibbs cites Houston rap and Pac as his major influences, and it shows in his ability to alternate between chillingly tense street stories of violence and laid back comedic tales about women and weed. Ultimately Gibbs shows and proves with his rhymes, which demonstrate the promise of a legend in the making. His skills, wit, and street credibility establish Freddie Gibbs as a true artist. He's ready to represent for Gary, the Midwest, and anyone who relates to the struggle of inner city life. As Gibbs tells it: "My music is definitely on some gangsta shit. That's what I was raised on and what I witnessed. How can I speak on anything else?" "Become a fan now, or become one later."
Dear Maria
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
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Tryna get my cash up (Yeah)
Tryna get my cash up (Ugh)
Living in the city, when your winning
And the city niggas wanna get you blast up
Cocaine got my cash up (Yeah)
Shitting on the city, when your winning in the city
And niggas wanna get you blast up
Dear Maria, I know it was like 2010 the last time I had seen ya
Back when I used to hang outside, Actavis in my two litre
40 Cali, just a gally pimping keep the 9 mm
Plus I, plus I traded in the black cadillac for the beamer
I was trapping out a dirty apartment on Little Ceasar's
Damn Maria can I purchase a brick of the 'ye from your people?
Homie fronted me up with five for me
I paid twenty-three for the eagle
Boy I keep it legal
See the game it gone never change
See the game, got me everything
See the game it gone never change
Cocaine, Mary Jane, got me everything
Dear Maria, you always kept a young nigga fed
When I wasn't needed
Like when you set me up with for the lick on them Puerto Ricans
Always said that if I get rich off of this shit
That you'd be the reason
Always said that if I'm gone jump out this shit that you'd be the reason
Gotta have a type of all kind of bitches I got a Venus
On the late night with the dick game drugs in me got me creep
I know you love me, know you can't picture a nigga leavin, I ain't ever leavin
Never no never never say never nigga
Say mother fuck others, stay on your cheddar nigga
I wish that it felt like forever with you
But I know one day your gone find a better nigga
They gone wife you up, settle you down, they gone have a wedding withchya
I'm just thug, I'll buy bottles and get a section witchya
Maria if she found out I'm fucking on her sister
Freddie Cane, Dog unchained
I'm just that kinda nigga
Got the game running in my veins
Got the game running in my veins
Blood on my opponent
Don't give a fuck, I flaunt it
All I ever wanted was everything
Living in the city where your shitting on the city and the city got me blast
I got chickens in the city
And a cousin shipping with me
So there ain't no fugazis with me
I'm addicted to this cash
Dear Maria
See the game it gone never change
See the game, got me everything
See the game it gone never change
Cocaine, Mary Jane, got me everything
Never Change, yeah yeah
Cocaine got me everything
This shit it won't change shit
Mary Jane, Rick James, Cocaine
Ooh
Ooh Yeah
Rick James, Rick James
Cocaine, Rick James
Oh Oh
In "Dear Maria," Freddie Gibbs reflects on his past experiences and the influence of drugs and money in his life. He begins by acknowledging his desire to improve his financial situation, living in the city where success attracts jealousy and danger. He mentions how cocaine and heroin have contributed to his wealth, but also highlight the risks associated with their use.
He then addresses Maria, a person from his past who had supported him during his struggles. He recalls a time when they interacted in 2010, reminiscing about hanging out and consuming Actavis (a brand of cough syrup). He also mentions engaging in criminal activities, such as a robbery orchestrated by Maria, implying that she played a pivotal role in his life.
As the song progresses, he expresses gratitude for Maria's support and declares that she would be the reason for his success. He admits to having various sexual relationships but implies that Maria is special and he can't picture his life without her. However, he acknowledges that one day she will find someone better suited for her, as he sees himself as a thuggish type who lives his life differently.
Throughout the song, Freddie Gibbs reflects on the impact of drugs, money, and relationships on his life, showcasing the complex and sometimes controversial aspects of his experiences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BLAIR LOWERY, FREDDIE GIBBS, SIDNEY MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind