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."
Flamboyant (Freestyle
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goon life, what up?
These bench warmers never actually been part of the action
I wanna be legit, but being broke would be a distraction
My only interest is pimping and pandering, pistol packing
So fuck rap, I ain't that nigga that be rapping about rapping
I got away with shit that could've put me under the prison
My recent run ins with police has got me under suspicion
This shit is part of god's plan, this was not my decision
In hell's kitchen, but I'm chefing up a fresh cold plate of revenge
On you fuck niggas and fair weather friends
I got them nervous because I got niggas still rocking
Despite my flights with police lights and light pockets
I'm still the same dog
Same killer flow but your rap is a different game, dog
Not gone compromise my pride to entertain ya'll
Hip hop I damn near hate ya'll
I'm sick and tired of all these Autotuned ass niggas
I miss Nate Dogg
Miss me with that back and forth video blogging
Because a nigga really out here robbing
If I felt you was a bona fide problem, I'd bring straight at ya
Only Youtube niggas bust guns on camera
I could shoot dudes quicker than paramedics can handle
Watch a motherfucker down that amble, take his last rock
Indiana's all time greatest, but I ain't satisfied
Fuck the rap game, I'm your favorite by a landslide
Whether niggas know it or not yet
My shit about to knock on every block, every project
It's East 17th, put it down for my set
So blame it on them crackers why my album ain't dropped yet
I guess I'm too hard for Power 92 or GCI
Man, I'm just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Chi'
But bitch I'm out the door, sue no nueve, es pardon me que AK
It's D and EC, got in shoot outs with eses
And niggas down Annap know that I ain't scared to blast niggas
Jack them pussy niggas for they rims at the Classic
A black mass of black kush wrapped in plastic
35 dollars for the gram, I was taxing
Telephone calls from her man while I'm smashing
Slay your main dame, have her massive of rashes
Your ho give me the whole check, so ho check it
Got smokers on my team who like to smoke they dope naked
With a crack ho stroking his rope
He want the hard and the broad, so I'm serving them both
I flip a spot to a one stop shop for rock and hot cot
Got lines of Lenny Bias, so throw in your snot box
Niggas rhyme these days, at times is not hot
Labels buy they own records and pay for the top spot
Am I in the wrong business, I wonder, "Should I stop?
Is my music going to take care of my mama if I flop?"
Is a nigga gonna depend on that?
I think not, if you think so
You think slow, so don't think, ho
Freddie Gibbs run up in cribs like Kris Kringle
Touch down and talk more shit than Ocho Cinco
My people slave in this American regime
This need I feel remain, Rahim, stay on my team
Praise to the most high, fuck everything in between
Seen young black kings and queens turned to fiends
Swallowed up in the machine, na' mean, straight greasy
You lock a nigga up, what I'mma do when they release me?
Shout out to Finger Roll, C Mac, and Will Screezy
The reason why I make it look easy, East Side, nigga
In "Flamboyant (Freestyle)," Freddie Gibbs addresses his thoughts on the rap industry, his own experiences with the law, and his real-life violent tendencies. He contrasts his own lifestyle with the "bench warmers" who have never been "part of the action." He admits to being interested in illegal activities such as pimping and pandering, as well as carrying a weapon. Gibbs voices his disdain towards rap music that focuses solely on the art of rhyming and the prominence of Auto-Tune. He declares his distaste for hip-hop culture and the need to compromise his pride to entertain fans.
Gibbs speaks of his experiences with law enforcement and the possibility of going to jail for his actions. He believes that he will not be found guilty if he were to confess his illegal actions because it is part of God's plan. Gibbs proclaims he is still the same person despite his run-ins with the police and his light pockets. He claims that his music is about to "knock on every block, every project." However, he also implies that he's too hard or raw for most radio stations and questions whether rap music can take care of his mother in case things don't pan out.
Overall, "Flamboyant (Freestyle)" is a window into Gibbs's life and his attitude towards life and the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
East Side GI, what up?
Acknowledging his origins and giving a greeting to his listeners.
Goon life, what up?
Addressing the people who live dangerously like him.
These bench warmers never actually been part of the action
Referring to the people who talk a lot but do nothing then blaming the struggle for their inactivity.
I wanna be legit, but being broke would be a distraction
Desiring to live an honest life, but understanding that being poor is a significant obstacle.
My only interest is pimping and pandering, pistol packing
Talking about his illegal interests – pimping, drug dealing, and carrying guns.
So fuck rap, I ain't that nigga that be rapping about rapping
Dismissing rappers who rap only about rapping itself, instead of being true to their own experiences.
I got away with shit that could've put me under the prison
Being grateful for avoiding serious punishment for his past crimes.
My recent run ins with police has got me under suspicion
Acknowledging that he is currently under police scrutiny due to his past and present illegal activities.
I bet they never find me guilty under my own admission
Being confident that he won't be caught through his own confession.
This shit is part of god's plan, this was not my decision
Attributing his circumstances to a higher power – destiny – and denying his accountability for his actions.
In hell's kitchen, but I'm chefing up a fresh cold plate of revenge
Comparing his life to a harsh environment, but saying that he's making a comeback.
On you fuck niggas and fair weather friends
Directing his anger at his enemies and disloyal acquaintances.
I got them nervous because I got niggas still rocking
Boasting that his influence is still significant despite his legal issues.
Despite my flights with police lights and light pockets
Acknowledging the frequent chases with police and financial struggles.
I'm still the same dog
Stating that he hasn't changed as a person despite the challenges he faces.
Same killer flow but your rap is a different game, dog
Recognizing that his style and content differ from other artists but still feeling superior to them.
Not gone compromise my pride to entertain ya'll
Refusing to change his integrity and values for the sake of pleasing his fans.
Hip hop I damn near hate ya'll
Expressing his frustration with the rap industry and the people in it.
I'm sick and tired of all these Autotuned ass niggas
Expressing his distaste for singers and rappers who overly rely on digital enhancement.
I miss Nate Dogg
Honoring an influential rapper who has passed away.
Miss me with that back and forth video blogging
Dismissing social media conflicts.
Because a nigga really out here robbing
Pointing out that his life is far more dangerous than others.
If I felt you was a bona fide problem, I'd bring straight at ya
Promising to confront someone if they became a serious threat.
Only Youtube niggas bust guns on camera
Suggesting that people who record violent acts are not as tough as they appear to be.
I could shoot dudes quicker than paramedics can handle
Claiming to be able to kill someone with ease.
Watch a motherfucker down that amble, take his last rock
Recalling a past incident where he robbed someone of their drugs.
Indiana's all time greatest, but I ain't satisfied
Bringing pride to his place of origin but wanting more than what he has achieved.
Fuck the rap game, I'm your favorite by a landslide
Stating that he's superior to other rappers despite his lack of commercial success.
Whether niggas know it or not yet
Acknowledging that his talent will be recognized soon enough.
My shit about to knock on every block, every project
Assuming that his music will become ubiquitous throughout the urban landscape.
It's East 17th, put it down for my set
Representing his neighborhood to the fullest.
So blame it on them crackers why my album ain't dropped yet
Denying that his lack of mainstream success is his fault and blaming white executives.
I guess I'm too hard for Power 92 or GCI
Suggesting that his music is too raw to be played on popular radio stations.
Man, I'm just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Chi'
Being geographically close to Chicago but feeling like an outsider in the rap scene.
But bitch I'm out the door, sue no nueve, es pardon me que AK
Saying that he's leaving his current situation and will start anew somewhere else, possibly Mexico, with the AK-47 rifle.
It's D and EC, got in shoot outs with eses
Referencing his past clashes with Latin gangs.
And niggas down Annap know that I ain't scared to blast niggas
Boasting that he's not afraid to use guns to defend himself and against his enemies.
Jack them pussy niggas for they rims at the Classic
Admitting to stealing car rims from people who attend a popular automotive show.
A black mass of black kush wrapped in plastic
Describing a large amount of marijuana that he possesses.
35 dollars for the gram, I was taxing
Selling weed at an inflated price.
Telephone calls from her man while I'm smashing
Entertaining another man's girlfriend while he's not around or aware of it.
Slay your main dame, have her massive of rashes
Sexually abusing and infecting someone's partner with a disease.
Your ho give me the whole check, so ho check it
Bringing joy to his successes in manipulating women for their money.
Got smokers on my team who like to smoke they dope naked
Having associates who are addicted to drugs and comfortable with drug usage.
With a crack ho stroking his rope
Visualizing drug addicts in a sexual scenario.
He want the hard and the broad, so I'm serving them both
Service providers for people who enjoy different types of drugs and sex activities.
I flip a spot to a one stop shop for rock and hot cot
Turning a location into a place where drugs and temporary housing are sold.
Got lines of Lenny Bias, so throw in your snot box
Selling cocaine that is similar to the type that caused basketball player Lenny Bias's death.
Niggas rhyme these days, at times is not hot
Criticizing modern rappers for not having good lyrics and music.
Labels buy they own records and pay for the top spot
Exposing the corrupt music business model where companies bribe radio stations to promote their artists.
Am I in the wrong business, I wonder, "Should I stop?
Questioning whether he should continue making music or quit altogether.
Is my music going to take care of my mama if I flop?"
Being uncertain if his rapping career will be successful enough to support his family financially.
Is a nigga gonna depend on that?
Asking if he really wants to rely on music for financial security.
I think not, if you think so
Agreeing that music is not a reliable career choice.
You think slow, so don't think, ho
Mocking people who don't understand his underlying message and being rude.
Freddie Gibbs run up in cribs like Kris Kringle
Boasting about his ability to break into people's homes and steal their belongings like the holiday character.
Touch down and talk more shit than Ocho Cinco
Comparing himself to a cocky football player who is outspoken and always talking trash.
My people slave in this American regime
Making a statement about systemic oppression and the struggles that he and his community face in America.
This need I feel remain, Rahim, stay on my team
Expressing the importance of loyalty and having supportive friends and associates.
Praise to the most high, fuck everything in between
Declaring his belief in God and disregarding anything else that doesn't align with his morals and values.
Seen young black kings and queens turned to fiends
Reflecting on young black people's drug addiction and how they've lost their potential.
Swallowed up in the machine, na' mean, straight greasy
Being trapped in a corrupt system and feeling hopeless.
You lock a nigga up, what I'mma do when they release me?
Asking a hypothetical question – what he would do if he was released from jail with no support, given his illegal lifestyle and lack of opportunities.
Shout out to Finger Roll, C Mac, and Will Screezy
Giving a shout-out to his close friends or associates.
The reason why I make it look easy, East Side, nigga
Explaining that his experiences growing up in his neighborhood made him the tough person he is and why he appears unbothered by his struggles.
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@prod6mill.512
Not anybody can just rap on a big L beat. You really gotta have something, and Freddie has it
@TheBroknPezDispenser
Freddie bodied this verse from start to finish. One of the BEST verses I've ever heard. Seriously.
@justincollins3874
This shit was hard
@GnosticType
It seriously is one of the greatest verses of all time. Stupid underrated
@_nx..kromer.6085
Try going vegan. ✌
@GnosticType
@@_nx..kromer.6085 very random but i did go plant based for a couple months back in canada! its a little more difficult here in thailand but im doing mostly vegetarian
@joshuavisser3398
Absolutely destroys it. One of my most favorite verses as well
@jonwetzel6908
Still listen to this regularly...ten years later
@Everyting-Irie
STILL my favourite rapper by a landslide!
@wpease7
Forever