Freddie Gibbs’ Cold Day In Hell will be the tape that has a snowball’s chance being remembered weeks and months from now. While others are dropping novelty tapes for the holiday, Freddie’s release seems meant to be played through winter and beyond. The tone is set by the distinguished art alone, which may be the illest seen this year. Beyond the cover, Cold Day… holds equally sick music and “consistency” best describes what Gibbs does best on this release. Multiple beatsmiths – including Burn One, K.R.I.T., Cardo, The Olympicks & SMKA – contribute production and all either find a way to tailor their groove to match Gibbs or Freddie finds a way to manipulate the beat to his advantage. Lyrically, he’s in G-mode, telling firsthand tales of dealing, trigger-play, rivalries and personal angst, all traced to living the life of crime being sold through rhymes
