azizi Gibson Songs: The 10 Tracks You Need To Hear
azizi Gibson Songs: The 10 Tracks You Need To Hear
Azizi Gibson Songs: Start Here If You’re New
If you just want the answer, here it is. The songs people rank highest and talk about most are “Rain,” “Cobra,” “Cabaret,” “High,” “Cruel Intentions,” “Hate Me If You Must,” “Smoking with the Gods,” “Backward Books,” “Hate To Say It” (with Freddie Gibbs), and “Electric Life” (with Hippie Sabotage). That’s your starting playlist, straight up, no fluff.
Now let’s get into who this guy actually is, why his catalog sounds the way it does, and which songs deserve a deeper listen depending on your mood.
Table of Contents
Who Is Azizi Gibson, Really?
Azizi Gibson isn’t your typical rapper with a typical backstory. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany, but his family’s roots trace back to Zaire in Africa. He grew up bouncing around — Thailand, Zaire, Singapore, Cambodia — before finally settling in Maryland around age 11. That’s when hip-hop clicked for him.
He dropped out of college in 2010 and moved to LA with basically nothing but a low-budget mixtape and a dream. That gamble paid off in a big way — a chance meeting with Flying Lotus landed him a deal with Brainfeeder, the label known for pushing boundary-breaking, genre-blending artists. That’s a big deal in itself, and it explains a lot about why his sound doesn’t fit neatly into one box.
The Azizi Gibson Discography Timeline
Here’s how his catalog actually built up over time, so you can trace the evolution of his sound:
Ghost in the Shell (2013)
His debut mixtape. This is where it all started, right after linking up with Brainfeeder.
Backward Books EP (2014)
A tighter, more focused project that gave him the title track that still shows up on fan top-10 lists today.
PreHISTORIC Till Death (2015)
His first full studio album. This is where he really planted his flag.
Memoirs of the Reaper (2017)
One of his most talked-about projects. The Grim Reaper shows up as a recurring character across his work, and this album leans hard into that theme — mortality, darkness, and what it means to keep going anyway.
Reaping the Benefits (2020)
A continuation of that Reaper concept, released years later, showing he was still building out that same universe.
Recent Collaborations (2021–2024)
Azizi has kept working with other artists in the years since, including a 2021 track called “Within” with Issa Gold, “Hate To Say It” with Freddie Gibbs in 2022, and a 2024 collaboration with Akeem Mimiko and Shofu. He’s not a guy who disappeared after his early buzz — he’s still actively releasing.
Breaking Down the Must-Hear Songs
“Rain”
Consistently ranked as one of his top tracks by fans. If you only have time for one song, most longtime listeners point here first.
“Cobra”
One of his most recognized songs, often mentioned alongside “Cabaret” as a gateway track for new listeners.
“Cabaret”
This one shows up across nearly every “best of” list for a reason — it captures his genre-blending style well.
“High”
A fan favorite that leans into the more atmospheric, hazy side of his sound.
“Smoking with the Gods”
A standout from his catalog that mixes his trap and abstract hip-hop influences.
“Backward Books”
The title track from his 2014 EP — still holding up as one of his most mentioned songs years later.
“Hate To Say It” (feat. Freddie Gibbs)
A newer cut from 2022, proof that his collaborations are still landing with respected names in the genre.
“Electric Life” (with Hippie Sabotage)
A crossover moment that shows his range outside straight hip-hop, working with a well-known production duo.
Why Azizi Gibson’s Sound Is Hard To Categorize
He’s tagged across trap, hip-hop, and abstract hip-hop — and that’s not marketing spin, that’s just accurate. Bouncing between countries as a kid, then landing at Brainfeeder (a label built on artists who don’t sound like anyone else), shaped an artist who mixes moods and styles rather than sticking to one lane. That’s part of why his catalog rewards a deeper listen instead of just one single.
FAQ
What are Azizi Gibson’s most popular songs?
Based on fan rankings and listening data, his most popular songs include “Rain,” “Cobra,” “Cabaret,” “High,” and “Smoking with the Gods.”
What genre is Azizi Gibson?
He’s classified as trap, hip-hop, and abstract hip-hop — a mix that reflects his varied musical influences rather than one single style
When did Azizi Gibson start making music?
He got into hip-hop after settling in Maryland around age 11, then released his debut mixtape, “Ghost in the Shell,” in 2013 after moving to Los Angeles.
Is Azizi Gibson signed to a label?
He was signed to Flying Lotus’s label, Brainfeeder, after a chance meeting that led to his debut mixtape deal.
What is Azizi Gibson’s newest music?
He’s continued releasing collaborative tracks in recent years, including work with Freddie Gibbs in 2022 and a 2024 collaboration with Akeem Mimiko and Shofu.
What albums has Azizi Gibson released?
His main releases include “Ghost in the Shell” (2013), “Backward Books EP” (2014), “PreHISTORIC Till Death” (2015), “Memoirs of the Reaper” (2017), and “Reaping the Benefits” (2020).
If this helped you find your next favorite Azizi Gibson song, do me a favor and share it with someone who needs to hear this catalog too.
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