Freddie Gibbs is an American rapper who first rose to prominence in the mid-2000s as part of the hip hop collective Strange Music. Since then, he has gone on to have a successful solo career, releasing several acclaimed albums including Piñata (2014), Bandana (2019), and SSS (2022).
Gibbs is known for his technical rapping ability and detailed lyrical narratives that often depict street life. He has collaborated with many other rappers over the years, but is most closely associated with producer Madlib, with whom he forms the duo MadGibbs.
In 2022 and 2023, Freddie Gibbs is touring across North America and Europe in support of his latest album SSS. For these tour dates, Gibbs has assembled an impressive roster of other rappers to join him on stage for various shows.
Freddie Gibbs’ 2022 Tour
Gibbs kicked off his tour in Summer 2022 with a run of US festival performances. For these shows, he brought out special guests like Pusha T, ScHoolboy Q, Zack Fox, and Benny The Butcher to perform tracks with him.
Date | Festival | Location | Notable Guests |
---|---|---|---|
June 17 | Bonnaroo | Manchester, TN | Pusha T |
July 1 | Rolling Loud | Miami, FL | ScHoolboy Q, Benny The Butcher |
July 15 | Pitchfork Music Festival | Chicago, IL | Zack Fox |
After festival season, Gibbs launched a proper US headlining tour in Fall 2022. For the first leg of this tour, he brought along Detroit rapper Babyface Ray to support him at every stop.
Freddie Gibbs’ Fall 2022 US Tour Dates with Babyface Ray:
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
September 13 | Minneapolis, MN | First Avenue |
September 15 | Chicago, IL | Radius |
September 17 | Detroit, MI | Saint Andrew’s Hall |
September 19 | Toronto, ON | Phoenix Concert Theatre |
September 20 | Montreal, QC | Corona Theatre |
September 23 | Brooklyn, NY | Great Hall at Avant Gardner |
September 29 | Boston, MA | Big Night Live |
September 30 | Silver Spring, MD | The Fillmore |
Bringing Babyface Ray along for the tour made sense, as the two rappers have collaborated frequently and have mutual respect for each other’s music. Hits like “Big Boss Rabbit,” “Southside,” and “Kemosabe” have featured both Gibbs and Ray trading bars. Having Babyface Ray come out each night to perform tracks like these helped make for an energetic and engaging show.
Freddie Gibbs’ 2023 Europe/UK Tour
After closing out 2022 with more US tour dates, Freddie Gibbs has now shifted his focus to Europe and the UK for the first leg of his 2023 live shows. This overseas run sees Gibbs partnering up with another one of his frequent collaborators, Atlanta rapper Moneybagg Yo.
Ever since Moneybagg Yo appeared on Gibbs’ 2020 song “Frank Lucas,” the two rappers have shown great chemistry when working together. Moneybagg Yo brings his signature Memphis flow and swagger that pairs nicely with Gibbs’ rapid-fire delivery.
Some key dates where you can expect to see Freddie Gibbs and Moneybagg Yo share the stage overseas include:
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
February 17 | Dublin, Ireland | 3Olympia Theatre |
February 23 | Glasgow, UK | O2 Academy |
February 24 | Manchester, UK | O2 Ritz |
February 26 | London, UK | O2 Forum Kentish Town |
March 1 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Amager Bio |
March 2 | Berlin, Germany | Gretchen |
March 4 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Melkweg |
March 5 | Brussels, Belgium | AB Ballroom |
Having Moneybagg Yo join him for the European tour makes perfect sense when looking at recent collaborations between the two. Songs like “Too Much” and “Big Boss Rabbit” off of Gibbs’ SSS album feature Moneybagg Yo and have collectively amassed millions of streams. Fans overseas will be excited to see these tracks performed live by both rappers.
The pairing of Freddie Gibbs and Moneybagg Yo is great for rap fans, as it brings together two distinct styles into an incredible live show experience. Gibbs is a rapid-fire lyricist, while Moneybagg Yo provides some Southern flare and a modern club-ready sound. Over the course of a full setlist, they’ll be able to showcase the very best of their respective catalogs.
Analysis of Freddie Gibbs’ Touring Strategy
When looking at who Freddie Gibbs has chosen to tour with in 2022-2023, some interesting strategies emerge. He is shrewdly pairing up with rappers that not only match his technical abilities, but also rappers with whom he has recently released music. This strengthens the connection for fans and gives the live shows added meaning.
Babyface Ray is a fellow Midwest rapper on the rise who, like Gibbs, focuses on vivid lyrical narratives layered over soulful production. Moneybagg Yo hails from Memphis and brings a contemporary, yet gritty sound that complements Gibbs’ throwback influences.
Beyond just making dynamic musical pairs, Gibbs is also selecting guests that expand his fanbase. Babyface Ray and Moneybagg Yo have their own growing followings, which gets exposed to Freddie Gibbs through these co-headlining tours. At the same time, Gibbs is able to connect with their fanbases that may be less familiar with his music. It’s a strategic move to cross-promote between artists.
Lastly, the touring decision indicates that Freddie Gibbs maintains strong relationships with other rappers. From Pusha T to Benny The Butcher and more, Gibbs has a high level of respect from his peers. These guest appearances on tour, even if just at festivals, show that mutual respect between artists. Gibbs has put in decades of work to get to this point in his career, so earning the support of contemporaries is a testament to his talents.
Setlist Expectations for Freddie Gibbs & Moneybagg Yo 2023 Tour
When Freddie Gibbs and Moneybagg Yo hit the road together in early 2023, fans can expect a lively setlist packed with collaborative hits. Here are some predictions for what songs could be performed on their joint tour:
– “Too Much” – High energy track from Gibbs’ 2022 album SSS featuring Moneybagg Yo. Its club-ready sound makes it prime for a live setting.
– “Frank Lucas” – Breakout collaboration between the rappers from 2020. Hard-hitting track that shows off their chemistry.
– “Big Boss Rabbit” – Another SSS single with an infectious hook from Moneybagg Yo.
– “Babies & Fools” – Smooth track from Moneybagg Yo’s 2021 album A Gangsta’s Pain. Features Freddie Gibbs.
– “Kemosabe” – Uptempo cut from Gibbs & The Alchemist’s album Alfredo that has a scene-stealing verse from Moneybagg.
– “Scottie Beam” – One of the biggest hits from Alfredo. Gibbs has to perform his rapid-fire part live.
– Solo Hits – Expect solo tracks like “Soul Right” and “Time” from Moneybagg Yo and “Up One Day” or “Frank Lucas 2” from Freddie Gibbs sprinkled into the set.
– MadGibbs Classics – Gibbs will likely do a few tracks like “Crime Pays” and “Palmolive” to represent his albums with Madlib.
With a setlist containing all of these lively collaborations plus their own solo hits, a Freddie Gibbs and Moneybagg Yo show promises to be a thrill ride from start to finish. The tunes will keep the energy high throughout as these two talented rappers feed off each other on stage. It will be a big moment seeing them perform these songs together live for the first time.
Impact on Freddie Gibbs’ Career
Touring with well-matched collaborators like Babyface Ray and Moneybagg Yo can have a significant impact on continuing Freddie Gibbs’ late career momentum. Though Gibbs has been rapping since the mid-2000s, it is only in the last five years that he has broken through to a wider mainstream hip hop audience.
Riding high off acclaim for his work with The Alchemist (Alfredo) and Madlib (Bandana), Freddie Gibbs is seizing his moment with extensive touring and calculated guest appearances. Joining forces live on stage with Babyface Ray and Moneybagg Yo introduces Gibbs to new audiences and markets. It also strengthens his relationships within the industry.
The co-headlining tours enable Gibbs to perform at larger venues and grow his fanbase beyond his core hip hop following. Given that Moneybagg Yo can draw big streaming numbers, pairing with him gives Gibbs exposure to those streaming listeners. If even a small percentage get put onto Freddie Gibbs’ music from attending a joint show, it still represents significant growth.
These tours also show that Freddie Gibbs has widened his collaborator pool beyond his frequent work with Madlib. He is connecting with younger, contemporary rappers like Moneybagg Yo rather than solely underground legends. This rising tide of collaborations lifts Gibbs’ profile and brand heading into future releases.
With all the momentum behind him, Freddie Gibbs enters 2023 at the peak of his powers. The extensive touring just continues to build on his late career surge. If he keeps partnering strategically with the right collaborators, Gibbs has a pathway to rise even higher in status and become a household name in rap. He has all the skills on the mic – now matched with the business savvy of planning successful tours with hot co-headliners.
Conclusion
In summary, Freddie Gibbs has assembled an excellent lineup of collaborators to join him on tour stops in support of his latest album, SSS. By touring with fellow Midwest rapper Babyface Ray for US dates and teaming up with Southern hitmaker Moneybagg Yo overseas, Gibbs continues to showcase his rap skills on bigger stages and in front of new crowds.
These tours represent Gibbs’ growth into a rap veteran making smart moves. Pairing with Babyface Ray and Moneybagg Yo brings mutual benefits, as they have collaborated before and have styles that complement each other live. For fans, it means an unforgettable concert experience hearing their chemistry in person.
As Freddie Gibbs continues his ascent into rap stardom, expect him to keep surrounding himself with fresh, compatible talent. He has transitioned seamlessly from underground king to a mainstream headliner designing some of the best shows in hip hop. Gibbs’ live sets are now must-see events, thanks to his collaborations with other top artists. It’s an exciting time to follow Freddie Gibbs’ ever-rising career.