Freddie Gibbs Cites 50 Cent & Scarface as Inspirations

Freddie Gibbs, a prominent voice in modern gangsta rap, has revealed the artists who first ignited his passion for the genre. In a recent interview on The Ryen Russillo Podcast, the Gary, Indiana native credited 50 Cent and Scarface as his earliest and most significant rap inspirations, shaping the foundation of his acclaimed career.

50 Cent: The Spark for a Rapper’s Journey

Gibbs shared that 50 Cent was the artist who made him want to rap. “The first rapper that made me be like, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna rap,’ is 50 Cent,” Gibbs recalled. He was particularly drawn to 50 Cent’s “underdog story,” admiring how he overcame adversity, including being shot, and channeled it into his music and career. Gibbs also expressed respect for 50 Cent’s overall work ethic and business acumen, citing the G-Unit mixtape empire and various contributions to the genre as particularly impressive.

This admiration for 50 Cent’s hustle and narrative clearly resonated with Gibbs, influencing his own approach to building a successful career in hip-hop. The G-Unit founder’s ability to blend raw lyricism with business savvy has long been a benchmark in the industry.

Scarface: The Foundation of Rap Love

Beyond inspiring him to rap, Scarface was the artist who first made Gibbs fall in love with the genre itself. Hearing Scarface’s music, particularly from the Geto Boys’ 1991 album “We Can’t Be Stopped,” clicked with a young Gibbs because he could relate to the narratives being told. “When I heard ‘Mr. Scarface’’ and [the Geto Boys’ 1991 album] ‘We Can’t Be Stopped,’ it clicked because I could relate to everything he was saying,” Gibbs explained.

Gibbs’s critically acclaimed discography, including projects like “Piñata” with Madlib and “Alfredo” with The Alchemist, has cemented his status as a premier gangsta rap artist. His ability to deliver raw, effortless rapping over classic production is a testament to the influences that shaped his unique style.

These revelations come just weeks after the release of “Alfredo 2,” which features collaborations with Larry June, Anderson .Paak, and JID, and debuted in the top 13 of the Hot 200. Gibbs’s continued success underscores the lasting impact of his early inspirations.