Freeway Album: “Philadelphia Freeway [PA]”

Description :

Personnel: Freeway, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Nate Dogg, Peedi Crakk, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Young Gunz, Sparks (rap vocals); Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Allen Anthony (vocals); Just Blaze (various instruments). Producers include: Kanye West, E-Bass, Ruggedness, Bink, Just Blaze. Personnel: Freeway, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Nate Dogg, Peedi Crakk, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Young Gunz, Sparks (rap vocals); Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Allen Anthony (vocals); Just Blaze (various instruments). Producers include: Kanye West, E-Bass, Ruggedness, Bink, Just Blaze. On PHILADELPHIA FREEWAY, rapper Freeway debuts with an enigmatic, instantly recognizable vocal style that eschews the gruff, slurring, tough-guy shouting of many gangsta hip-hop artists in favor of a punchy, higher-pitched style that often recalls the Old School pioneers. Don't be fooled, though--there aren't any block party anthems here; this is aggressive, hardcore stuff. Freeway has a take-no-prisoners approach that often sounds like a fist in the face. Just Blaze's production matches perfectly, using beats that contain elements of jungle to give each track a manic intensity. Standouts include "On My Own," for which Nelly provides a characteristically hooky chorus that imprints itself on the listener's brain after a single listen, and "Life," which uses an Eddie Money (!) sample to paint an unnerving picture of ghetto survival. On PHILADELPHIA FREEWAY, rapper Freeway debuts with an enigmatic, instantly recognizable vocal style that eschews the gruff, slurring, tough-guy shouting of many gangsta hip-hop artists in favor of a punchy, higher-pitched style that often recalls the Old School pioneers. Don't be fooled, though--there aren't any block party anthems here; this is aggressive, hardcore stuff. Freeway has a take-no-prisoners approach that often sounds like a fist in the face. Just Blaze's production matches perfectly, using beats that contain elements of jungle to give each track a manic intensity. Standouts include "On My Own," for which Nelly provides a characteristically hooky chorus that imprints itself on the listener's brain after a single listen, and "Life," which uses an Eddie Money (!) sample to paint an unnerving picture of ghetto survival.

Freeway is the emerging star of the Roc!

With a rasping, distinctive voice and skilfully crafted lyrics, backed up with typially excellent beats from the likes of Just Blaze and Kanye West, this is definitely the hottest album dropped by the Roc for as long as i can remember.

Despite the album beginning with complete bangers such as 'What we do' feat Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, and Flipside feat Peedi Crakk(of State Property fame), the album is consistently brilliant throughout, and if anything, strenghthens song by song. Never mind the uncompromising, overly-agressive lyrics from the likes of Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek etc, Freeway relays his life growing up in the gutter with style and diplomacy, successfully merging his knowledge of the streets with his desire to leave his past behind and to make waves in the rap game. This is the hottest album ive heard since Dr Dre's Chronic 2001, a must-have for any true rap fan not just obssessed with cliche, thug life lyrics. Remember the name-Freeway

Prior to buying this album, I had mixed feelings about Free...I hated the track he did with Jigga on the 8 Mile Soundtrack, but I thought he shined above all the other artists on the State Property soundtrack. Regardless of how I felt earlier, after listening to this album I quickly came to the conclusion that, despite the fact he's recieved national recognition because he's on Roc-A-Fella, Freeway is one of the most underrated MC's in the game today. Everything from his storytelling abilities to the different flow patterns he creates in addition to the tight production from Kanye, Just Blaze and Bink! make this one of the best solo albums I've heard this year. The only complaint I have is that there were too many guest appearances on this album (Nelly and Snoop?!?!?!) and Freeway rarely got the chance to shine by himself, but he's definately made the most out of his oppotunities.

I like listening to this album every once in awhile and just let it bump in my car. I thought this would be better but it still is a very good debut and Freeway shows he can rap with the best in the business. Some of the songs are kind of wack like the one with Mariah Carey but I guess he wanted some kind of song to appeal to pop fans and it probably did and the rest of the songs are average and that is it nothing else. My personel favorite songs are What We Do,Flipside,Victim of The Ghetto and Line'em Up. I recommend this to raps fans. HOLLA!

Freeway, one of the new members of the Rocafella team, is a lot better than I had expected. The only thing is, can you stand his voice for long enough to appreciate his hot flow. I like his rhymes, but for real, his voice makes my teeth grind. He spits over some hot beats from Just Blaze, Kanye West and a couple others, but Just Blaze controled the production tip for ten of the sixteen tracks. Free also features a lot of big time talent, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Nelly, Nate Dogg, Young Gunz, Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, and Peedi Crack. Beanie and Peedi Crack really shine on their verses. With HOV retiring Rocafella records has to find someone to step up. Free ain't half the mc Jay is, but hey a lineup of Free, Beans, Young Gunz, and The Dipset family ain't too bad. Anyways, the hottest tracks on Philadelphia Freeway are, Free, What We Do, Flipside, Full Effect, Alright, and Victim of the Ghetto. I would have gave him four stars, but his voice makes it hard to listen to the whole cd through. I had to keep stoping and going back to listen to the later tracks.