A Conversation With Freddie Gibbs: Rap's "Silent Killer" On Embracing Melody & Honoring Gucci Mane

Freddie Gibbs isn't even at his peak yet; "that's the scary part". Things haven't always looked this clear for Freddie Gibbs. The Gary, Indiana rapper could have ended his career as another major label casualty, stuck in a deal that didn't have his best interests in mind. After failed stints with Interscope and Jeezy's CTE World, Gibbs set his sights on the independent route, allowing him the freedom to give his loyal fanbase new music how and when he wanted. Last week, Gibbs released Shadow Of A Doubt, his second full-length release for his ESGN label, and first LP since his the celebrated Pinata project with Madlib. Where Pinata was a shared vision of its rapper-producer team, Shadow is Gibbs through-and-through, giving him the freedom to explore a large range of sounds throughout the project's 17 tracks. Having already established himself as one of rap's most technically proficient voices, Gibbs takes the opportunity to further hone his abilities as a songwriter, focusing more on melody and further challenging himself with his production choices. It's also his first full length since becoming a father, something he says has made him a more "delicate" man. The result is Freddie's most assured material yet, proving that there's no one better to guide the rapper's career than Gibbs himself. Describing his place in rap as that of a "silent killer," the hard-edged emcee is willing to be the artist lurking in the shadows of the industry, just as long as when he's done, people recognize that there was never anyone like him -- but don't worry, he's not even at his peak yet. We spoke to Gibbs about his region-less sound, putting on for Gucci Mane while he's locked up, and looking to Pimp C for songwriting inspiration. Read our conversation below. Pinata found you working with Madlib for an entire project, whereas Shadow Of A Doubt hosts over a dozen producers. Did you make an effort to work with as many people as possible? I was really just trying to expand. Get out there and just take risks musically. I pretty much fine-tuned my sound, working with a lot of the guys like Pops, Mikhail, Murda Beatz, and Kaytranada. I kind of stumbled on to something that I just wanted to keep going. I worked with Mike Dean -- he really helped me prepare for this project. I wanted to be really diverse. I just picked the beats that fit the best, that made the project cohesive. Someone today said my project wasn't cohesive and I was like "what the fuck you talkin' 'bout?". That shit sticks together like glue. You recently did a Canadian tour. What was the reception like? I love it, man. They always show love when I come up to Canada. Every city from Montreal to Calgary to Victoria. All the shows are crazy in Canada. I love it up there, it's like my second home. Everywhere I go they show me love. There are a lot of Canadians featured on the album (Tory Lanez, Frank Dukes, Boi-1da, Kaytranada, etc.). Did any of those collaborations come together during the tour? We were all just working and it just ended up happening. I think I was in Toronto when I was working with Tory Lanez. I was doing TIME festival or something like that. Everything happened organically for the record, nothing was forced whatsoever.

Someone Bought That Secret Wu-Tang Album For "Millions"

Wu-Tang's mystery album has finally been purchased. When Wu-Tang Clan announced they were releasing an album as a single copy, it left us confused. When we found out no one but the purchaser would be able to hear it for at least 88 years, it made us more confused. Now, possibly the most confusing news yet has arrived, someone has paid millions of dollars for this mysterious album. No real details have been released on the sale, other than it came from a "private American collector" and the price was in the "millions". On top of the "the hand-carved nickel silver box," "leather-bound book containing the album’s lyrics," and the music itself, a new addition was made to the package, being "a pair of customized PMC MB2-XBD speakers worth $55,000, included after consultation with PMC." The last element certainly drives the price of the deal up, but we're still not completely sure it's worth millions of dollars. Then again, if it's as good as 36 Chambers, and we had the money, we'd probably shell out

Michael Jordan Wins Lawsuit Against Supermarket That Used His Likeness In A 2009 Ad

Michael Jordan was back in his old stomping grounds of Chicago recently, taking the stand in court for his lawsuit against Jewel-Osco and Dominick's, a now defunct grocery chain, which used his likeness in a print ad which appeared in a 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated. According to reports, not only did the grocery store fail to ask Jordan for permission to use his likeness but he said, under oath, that he would've rejected the deal anyway because he only accepts media deals that are worth more than $10 million. Having recently taken an L in a lawsuit against a Beijing company that specializes in producing fugazzi Jordans, His Airness was thirsty for a win this time around and he should be quite pleased with the outcome. MJ won an $8.9 million lawsuit against Dominick's in August, and this past weekend he reached an undisclosed settlement with Jewel-Osco, officially closing the book on this case. All of the money he was awarded will reportedly be donated to charities.

Video From Busta Rhymes' Gym Altercation Has Surfaced

Busta Rhymes throws a protein shake at a gym employee in newly released security footage. Earlier this Summer, Busta Rhymes was arrested in New York after he was said to have been involved in an altercation with an employee. It was reported that the rapper actually threw a protein shake at the worker, which was a pretty insane picture to paint in your head -- but you'll no longer need to use your imagination when thinking about the incident, as security footage has now made its way online. Through the new video, we now see that the ordeal happened at the front desk, and while we don't get to hear the audio, Busta's reaction goes beyond just throwing a shake, going on to toss the employee's computer aside and continuing to confront the man as his security guard attempts to intervene. According to a Page Six interview with Ole Hernandez, the employee seen in the video, Busta was reacting to news he could not enter the gym without speaking to the owner. The halt at the door was due to a previous incident in which Busta allegedly made racist and homophobic remarks towards Hernandez when his cameraman was denied entry. Busta was able to score a plea deal which left him with no jail time, but did require him to take anger management classes.

Trey Songz Pays The IRS $750,000 In Back Taxes

Trey Songz promptly repays the IRS $750 thousand after getting hit with a tax lien in October. Trey Songz was recently the unlucky recipient of a tax lien, courtesy of the IRS, after he apparently did not pay taxes in 2013. The IRS reportedly requested he pay them $748,870.08, the taxes owed from the entirety of his 2013 income (you do the math). According to TMZ, Trigga Trey is now debt free -- the singer paid off $750 thousand lump sum on October 28th after receiving the lien on October 8. For those scoring at home, that's is a three week turnaround, which might be a new record for a hip hop figure paying off back taxes. It appears that Trey Songz is flush with cash.

Hodgy Beats Feels Tyler, The Creator Turned His Back On Odd Future

Hodgy Beats calls Tyler, the Creator a "fraud" after tensions rose at yesterday's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. Last night (Nov. 14), during his headlining set at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Tyler, the Creator expressed his frustration with a certain unnamed member of his inner-circle. It now seems as though his words were directed at Hodgy Beats, who, apparently, during his own performance earlier in the evening, had spoken to the crowd about his unhappiness with Tyler. Skip to around the 39:30 mark of the below video to watch Tyler address the situation. "N*ggas got me fucked up. I put too many n*ggas on. I helped too many of my motherfucking friends out. And n*ggas gonna come foul? And you know who the fuck I'm talking about, n*gga. And yes, it's getting real. I love you though," he told the crowd after performing a heated rendition of "FUCK IT."

Adrien Broner Defends Young Thug Against Gay Accusations

The champion boxer says he and Thug have been with some of the same women. Adrien Broner, the boxer who has held world titles in 4 different weight classes, seems to have certain ties to the Atlanta rap scene. In a fight last month, Broner was escorted into the ring by Migos, and over a year before that, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug accompanied him out of the gates to provide his entrance music. In a new interview with VladTV, Broner was asked about the latter Rich Gang member, specifically about Thug's decision to wear women's clothes as well as other "stunts" the Slime Season rapper has pulled that have caused outsiders to question his sexuality. "Young Thug ain't gay. He's actually one of the thoroughest n*ggas out hear, that I hear...he just got a different language, a different understanding with his self," said Broner, before going on to reveal that he and Thug have "messed with some of the same women before." The boxer was then asked about why Thug seems to deliberately invite people to question his sexuality, which prompted him to respond adamantly, "Listen to me: Young Thug is a marketing genius. And he got you. He definitely got you. And in some ways I look up to him for that."