On the cover of Fredo’s debut mixtape, the Pattern Gang rapper is depicted behind bars. It’s an instructive look into the world of Marvin Bailey, who utilises a slate of dark trap anthems on Get Rich or Get Recalled to highlight the value of freedom. Across two spells in prison in 2016, Bailey would study 50 Cent’s landmark debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’—a defiant guide on escaping a life of gang violence and crime. Helpfully, he’d also landed a UK rap classic with his debut single at the same time in the shape of “They Ain’t 100”. Fredo’s 14-track debut is the sound of hunger personified. Opening on the boisterous, repetitive flows of “I’m Fredo”, the Kilburn rapper sets himself steady on a new path: from held back to held up. As demonstrated by 50 in 2003: a boss shares his platform with the whole crew. Tagging in Harrow Road Boyz members Muscle (“On My Block”) and Ratlin (“Training Wheel”)—Fredo earns stripes for himself and his section over booming trap joints (produced by Young Forever, Trizly Beatz, Youssef). Donae’o, Little Torment and Blade Brown also weigh in with features that reinforce the robust levels of respect afforded to this rising star in his early years.