NEWS
Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist dropped their new collaborative album Alfredo 2 last week, and today, they unveiled a special surprise for fans. The surprise in question is a game inspired by the new project, which the Gary, Indiana-born performer announced on X. "Alfredo 2: Arcade," he wrote. "Listen to the album on Spotify or Apple Music while fighting the sensei as Freddie or ALC & go for the high score."
The game arrives shortly after the new music video for their track "A Thousand Mountains," which they dropped off yesterday. Ahead of the album release, they also revealed a music video for the lead single, "1995." An Alfredo short film was also released before the album. It's described as a "Tokyo crime saga" and was created in Japan with the help of director Nick Walker.
Alfredo 2 has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback so far, and the same can be said for this fun addition to the rollout.
As for what else about the album has fans talking, Gibbs appears to take shots at various peers on it. In "Empanadas," for example, he seemingly references some run-ins he's rumored to have had with Benny The Butcher and Jim Jones.
"Smacked him in Miami, his boys jumped me, he played it safe / B*tches in Buffalo get the same thing, they was throwin' plates / Limped away on his good foot, but he ain't bust a grape / These n***as fake / Sealed documents, still poppin' it / F*ck the certified crack babies, come get your mama hit (Yeah) / Sh*t ain't sellin', they gotta resort to drama sh*t / F*ck these Love & Hip-Hop n***as, I'm at the Oscars, b*tch," he raps.
Gibbs also throws a direct jab at Gunna on "Lavish Habits." He does so by bringing up the relentless snitching allegations he's faced in recent years. "First-class Virgin Atlantic, stewardess' t*tties plastic / I'm still gon' squeeze Akademiks t*tties, that fat b*stard," he spits. "Gunna dissed me and took a plea, he a rat b*stard."
Busta Rhymes is honoring his late friend D’Angelo in a truly moving way. The rapper released a heartfelt tribute track titled “Magic,” marking one of his most emotional releases in years. The song celebrates the neo-soul legend D’Angelo, who sadly passed away earlier this month after a private battle with cancer. Over the smooth, soulful backdrop of D’Angelo’s “One Mo’ Gin” from his 2000 classic Voodoo, Busta reflects deeply, sharing raw and powerful emotions through his storytelling.
Throughout the seven-minute piece, Busta takes listeners on a journey through his 34-year friendship with D’Angelo. He recalls their early sessions with A Tribe Called Quest and describes the lasting connection they built over the decades. Instead of simply celebrating the music, Busta pays homage to the person behind it. He describes D’Angelo as a rare, once-in-a-generation artist who “never needed a co-sign” and “touched the souls of the people and everything between.”
During an interview with Okayplayer, Busta called D’Angelo “a godsend,” reflecting on his influence across R&B and hip-hop. “The Earth shifted when D came to do music,” he said, a statement that perfectly sums up D’Angelo’s impact. Anyone familiar with Brown Sugar, Voodoo, or Black Messiah knows his legacy speaks volumes.
“Magic” feels like a conversation between two lifelong friends. Busta Rhymes gives fans an intimate look at a bond that helped shape decades of soul-infused hip-hop. The tributes pouring in since D’Angelo’s passing highlight not only his extraordinary artistry but also the love and respect he inspired among peers. Lauryn Hill expressed it beautifully, writing, “Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.”
