13. Lil Bibby – Free Crack 2
Its been two years since Lil Bibby lept into the national rap consciousness yet you can still find YouTube commenters expressing disbelief that that voice is coming from that face. Bibby isn’t so much a street rapper as much as he’s the streets themselves. He wields his one in a million tambre with confidence by simply leaning into the cut of each beat. Bibby is never flashy in his flows but always captivating. The effect is so commanding it renders Free Crack 2’s opening request of “Can I have your attention?” redundant.
Free Crack 2 is a refinement of the original Free Crack’s best elements while also displaying the ease in which he gets along with his new peers. Big name guest spots from Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, T.I., and Jadakiss are all well utilized but never steal the spotlight from Bibby. Meanwhile, not only is the seperated-at-birth connection between Bibby and Herb still intact (as evidenced on the blistering “Game Over Pt. 2”) but he can effortlessly trade bars with Kevin Gates on the anthemic “We Are Strong”. Maybe more interesting was the development of Bibby’s underrated pop smarts, landing strong hooks on cuts like “For the Low Pt. 2” and “Boy”. But more important than that, Bibby’s fundamentally Chicago essence remains along with that gravel flecked voice. His “Can I have your attention?” may begin Free Crack 2 with a request for the chance he deserves but by the next line – “Fuck that when you hear me talk you better listen” – he’s taking it.
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One of the best most accurate and seemingly unbiased lists FSD has ever posted. Congrats to all the artists recognized big and small.
Surprised that Katie Got Bandz didn’t get nominated. I was surprised that Common made it. Truthfully, I felt like the project capitalized and pandered to his Chicago roots that he hasn’t acknowledged in a long time. Although I am sure some would argue that the gesture is to pass the torch, something about it seemed false and it is far deeper than the fact of Common not being a “drill” rapper. Plus anytime he talks about sex gives me pause.
yall left out some well known ppl reppin Chicago. Like where is CEITO
Gibbs ain’t even from nor does he live in Chicago… And where is Ceito???
Remember folks it’s a Midwest blog. Gibbs is from Gary that’s not far from the Chi. And as for projects left off the list. Maybe FSD needs an honorable mentions post
yeah we all know FSD is a midwest blog but don’t title the post best “chicago” projects if you’re gonna include outside of chicago projects. it’s a bit misleading. you don’t open a chinese restaurant and sell pizza. honorable mentions post would be nice but ceito is above that. the positive energy, no pun intended, and stylistic laid back sounds were one step ahead of the major label artists like j. cole and kendrick right now.
FSD is a Chicago blog. They have a poor representation of the Midwest.
I think Village party and Body high should of been higher on the list, overall not bad