Five years after Alfredo—an album that became an instant classic and redefined what a rapper-producer duo could sound like— Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist release their second collaborative album Alfredo 2 via Rabbit Vision/ALC Records/Virgin Music. The duo’s Alfredo 2 merch capsule including shirts, hoodies, hats, a comic book and poster, and five vinyl variants is available at alfredostokyo.com (here).

The long-awaited follow-up to Alfredo arrives after speculation began when cryptic signage went up earlier this month, stoking a frenzy for new music from Freddie and The Alchemist. The duo hosted a full album listening in support of their Babylon collaboration at hvw8 Gallery in LA last week, and a select number of lucky fans were invited to see a special advance screening of Alfredo: The Movie at Los Angeles’ Brain Dead Studios cinema. Directed by Nick Walker and shot on location in Japan, Alfredo: The Movie offers a cryptic glimpse into the Alfredo 2 world. Equal parts yakuza noir and Ghost Dog, the film casts Gibbs and The Alchemist as partners navigating a seedy, hyper-stylized version of the city’s criminal underground. They’ve traded pasta for noodles, operating out of a humble ramen shop while studying ancient methods of preparation, boiling bones by day and laundering money by night. Alleyway negotiations, back room deals in smoky izakayas, and warrior monk training montages––it’s a bold reintroduction to the duo’s creative universe steeped in noir aesthetics, shadowy criminal underworlds, and razor-sharp bars.

Freddie Gibbs has never fit neatly into a box. Over the last decade, he’s evolved from underground tactician to cultural heavyweight—someone equally at home bodying a Madlib beat as he is acting alongside indie film darlings. But Gibbs’ evolution goes far beyond music. His breakout performance in the indie film Down With The King stunned critics, earning him praise from the New York Times, where A.O. Scott named his performance one of the best of the year and argued that Gibbs should have been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars. He’s since expanded his presence on screen with roles that tap into the same emotional weight and streetwise intelligence that define his lyricism. Gibbs is building a career that sits at the intersection of authenticity and artistry—one foot in the culture, one in something bigger. With recent appearances in prestige television and film, and a reputation as one of rap’s most compelling live performers, Gibbs is carving out a path that blends street wisdom with high art. The Alchemist, meanwhile, remains one of the most influential and consistent producers in the game. In the years since Alfredo, he’s been unstoppable—crafting full-length records with Earl Sweatshirt, Boldy James, Larry June, MIKE, and most recently Erykah Badu while continuing to mentor and co-sign a new generation of underground talent. His fingerprints are all over the last decade of progressive rap music, and his sound—dusty, luxurious, unpredictable—remains unmatched. Alfredo 2 marks another chapter in a career defined by reinvention and quiet domination.

Kaicrewsade (Makhi Miller) is a 22-year-old rapper, singer, and cultural storyteller from

Chicago’s West Side, weaving together the soulful grit of jazz, the bounce of Southern funk, and the raw honesty of hip-hop. Raised between Chicago and Mississippi, Kaicrewsade pulls from a wide musical lineage — think George Clinton’s funkadelic freedom, Roy Ayers’ buttery grooves, and the poetic urgency of artists like Noname and Saba.

Kaicrewsade first turned a few heads with Steve’s Demo, an intimate, jazz-laced EP recorded at just 18. Since then, he’s carved out a lane that’s entirely his own — introspective but celebratory, socially conscious yet sonically adventurous. His 2024 mixtape, Yvette,  was a breakout moment, featuring collabs with Lance Skiiiwalker, femdot., Nico Segal, and theMIND. Tracks like, “Let’s Get It!” and “RIP Rashad Harden,” show a fearless fusion of storytelling and sonic experimentation. In between releasing projects, he keeps his fans engaged with singles and short packs.

Off the mic, Kaicrewsade is a community organizer and founder of a local poetry club, Kai Poetry Club, that uplifts youth voices across Chicago. His mission is to create a safe space that feel like home — bold, honest, and rooted in vulnerability.

Most recently, his most popular single, “Chickenscratch! (Live),” is close to touching 300,000 Spotify streams and was named on the Best New Artists list by Pigeons and Planes in 2024. Kai will be performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer, and in May, Kai is going on tour in Europe, playing two festivals and five headlining shows. He is managed by Chris Classick and Juliana Miller from Classicks Never Die.

With every verse, Kaicrewsade proves he’s not just a rising voice in hip-hop — he’s shaping the sound of what’s next.