Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist are back in their bag, and this time it’s drenched in soy sauce, shadow, and smoke. The duo’s new video for “1995,” the lead single off Alfredo II, finds them flipping noodles and paranoia in a ramen shop somewhere in Japan, swapping bars and packages like they’re characters in a Yakuza noir flick.
It’s been five years since Alfredo made a Grammy run and helped solidify the Gibbs-Alchemist combo as one of the most reliable tag teams in underground rap. With Alfredo II finally dropping on July 25, the duo’s return hits like a back-alley deal gone too smooth. “1995” feels raw—grimy without trying too hard, cinematic without going full movie set.
The video leans into that vibe hard. Old Toyotas. Red-lit ramen counters. Trunk trades with slick-suited gangsters. It’s the kind of visual that doesn’t just accompany a track—it deepens the mythos. Shot in a style that pulls from Black Rain and High and Low, it doesn’t just gesture toward crime cinema—it lives in it. Gibbs keeps it cold, Alchemist keeps it dusty, and the chemistry stays untouched.
2025 hasn’t exactly been a booming year for rap, especially if you’re craving heavy bars and boom-bap bruisers. While Clipse and Tyler The Creator are doing their thing, there’s a clear lane right now for records that feel like dirty ashtrays and bootleg tapes. Gibbs and Alchemist just swerved into it doing 90.
If Alfredo II delivers anything close to the weight of its predecessor, it could be the spark hardcore hip-hop needs this year. One thing’s clear: “1995” isn’t just a timestamp—it’s a mission statement. Grit is back on the menu. And this time, it’s served hot.
