While Freddie Gibbs might be a part of XXL’s 2010 Freshman class, the Gary, Indiana-bred MC has an affinity for the older students in the game. XXLMag.com recently caught up with the rapper to talk about his upcoming mixtape, Str8 Killa No Filla, and the obscure hip-hop instrumentals he chose to rhyme over.

The project, which he describes as “no bullshit…just hardcore street rap,” finds Gangsta Gibbs rapping over two particularly uncommon beats, as opposed to the usual fare, currently making the rounds. One of the songs he chose to put his stamp on was Webbie’s “G-Shit” from the 2005 LP Savage Life, as well as Miilkbone’s “Keep it Real” from 1995. “It’s gonna put people up on game,” he said of the song titled “The Ghetto.” [Watch below]

The rapper—who has already dropped two critically-acclaimed mixtapes, The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs and Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik—told XXL he always likes to choose joints from the past. “I’m always gonna come on some classic shit, ‘cause that’s the shit that I grew up on and that’s the shit that keep me going as an MC,” he explained. “I can dive back into some Geto Boys, some ’Face or something like that, and really be motivated…I ain’t been motivated by a lot of [new] rap for the last five years.”

According to his manager, the tape will also feature a song with fellow XXL freshman Jay Rock. The two apparently struck up a friendship at the Freshman 10 for ’10 cover shoot and recorded a track together a week later in Los Angeles called “Rep To Tha Fullest” produced by DJ Burn One.

Str8 Killa No Filla is slated to be released online in late April/early May and it will include cover art that pays homage to reggae icon Peter Tosh’s 1997 album, Equal Rights.

In the meantime fans can check out Gibbs and his fellow classmates on XXL’s Freshman 10 for ‘10 Mixtape hosted by DJ Whoo Kid now. [Download here] —Jesse Gissen

Share: