Bandana

Artist: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Released: 2019

Been a long wait for this one. Anyone who’s had even a passing interest in hip-hop throughout the 2010’s knows that Pinata, the 2014 collaboration between Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, is one of the strongest rap full-lengths of the decade. The pair repeat the trick on Bandana, an LP five years in the making. Though the weight of anticipation must have been heavy for this one Gibbs and 'lib are as steely-eyed as ever - Gibbs spits iron-wool bars over Madlib’s beat odysseys. Masterpiece, obviously. Pusha T, Killer Mike and Yasiin Bey are among the guests.