Freddie Gibbs - You Only Die 1nce (Album)

When pressing play on Freddie Gibb’s latest offering “You Only Die 1nce”, it becomes immediately apparent as to why it was released on Halloween night. The album’s intro, “Status”, kicks off with some quick raps from Freddie laced over eerie, Halloween reminiscent production, and even features a cameo from the devil himself, who makes multiple appearances throughout the album.

We’re all familiar with the concept of the devil and the angel on our shoulder when it comes to decision making. Each persona perched upon your shoulder blade, whispering in your ear with opposing advice. The assist from the devil on the narration throughout the album helps to personify that feeling. The soundscapes and skits throughout make it feel like Freddie is in some type of purgatory or nightmare. And often times when the devil makes his appearance on a record, he’s desperately searching for Freddie’s attention as if he just can’t get through to him anymore. It feels as though Freddie might be looking to pivot from the lifestyle he has become so accustomed to.

This consensus paired with the album’s cover, which features Freddie fighting off what look like skeletons or monsters, I find to be representative of him struggling to fight his demons and/or the skeletons in his closet from his past. Which is exactly what he is sharing with us in these raps. I appreciate the way all of these elements are interconnected to help paint the full picture of the story he’s trying to tell. 

I found this album to be extremely personal. Freddie poured his pain out on these records. Great storytelling from top to bottom as he details his experiences with the loss of friends both in the physical sense and otherwise, time in jail, trust issues, violence, selling drugs, the confliction between thinking he’s the best and feeling underrated, and one of the most consistent themes throughout the project, his mortally complicated relationship with women.

As a very casual Freddie Gibbs listener, I wasn’t fully sure of what to expect going into this, but I have to say, I was very pleased with everything I heard across all 13 tracks. “You Only Die 1nce” is written, performed and produced at a highly impressive level. “Cosmo Freestyle”, “Brick Fees”, “It’s Your Anniversary”, and “30 Girlfriends (Yeah Yeah)” are the standout tracks for me.