You Only Die 1nce is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper Freddie Gibbs. It was released on November 1, 2024, through AWAL and ESGN. A surprise release with little prior announcement, it serves as a sequel to You Only Live 2wice (2018) and follows his 2022 album Soul Sold Separately. Production was handled by various producers, including Bnyx, DJ Harrison, Andrew "Pops" Papaleo, and 454, among others.
Background and promotion
On October 24, 2024, cryptic billboards around Los Angeles, California emerged with a picture of Freddie Krueger's eyes with the title "Freddie's Back" above, along with the phone number (320) 244-5268. The audio of the phone number was used with Krueger's voice, containing references to Gibbs' previous material including Piñata, You Only Live 2wice, and Soul Sold Separately. On an Instagram account created to promote the album, an animation of Gibbs' cartoon rabbit in a Jason Voorhees mask was posted.[4]
"On the Set" was released on Halloween day–October 31, 2024–as the album's only single; its release was also announced to be happening at midnight.[5]
Release and reception
Being a surprise release with minimal announcement, it was released on November 1, 2024 to streaming, digital download, and CD. A hoodie and t-shirt was also available in promotion of the album.[6]
Clash Music awarded the album a 7/10, saying the album "seems to sum up where the rapper finds himself – out there in the trenches, caught between two sides, working out his own peculiar place in the world."[7]
