Search - Freeway :: Free at Last

Freeway returns with his 2nd Disc "Free At Last".

J. Highsmith | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 11/24/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to Freeway when I heard him on a track entitled "1-900-Hustler" that was featured on Jay-Z's The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000. The CD wasn't really a Jay-Z solo CD. It was a format for Jay-Z to try to make Memphis Bleek and Beanie Sigel to be the forefront of Rocafella. "1-900-Hustler" had Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek and Freeway on the verses and Beanie Sigel talking on the hook. Freeway ended up stealing the show on the Bink produced track. I wouldn't hear Freeway again until I heard him on the track "Think It's A Game" which featured Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z, Freeway and Young Chris from the Young Gunz. The track appeared on Beanie Sigel's 2nd CD entitled The Reason. Freeway's big break came on the track "Roc The Mic" which was featured on State Property. The CD served as a soundtrack to the movie of the same name but the main purpose was to spotlight the crew of Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Young Gunz and Oschino & Sparks. "Roc The Mic" was a popular track for most of the year and Freeway would soon start to work on his 1st solo CD. Philadelphia Freeway was released in February of 2003. The first track that I heard from this release was the scorcher "Line 'Em Up" which featured Young Chris and was produced by Just Blaze. Once I heard this track, there wasn't any question whether I would purchase Freeway's solo debut. Freeway's 1st video, "What We Do" featured Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel on another Just Blaze production. 'Til this day, that is one of my favorite Jay-Z collaborations of all time. My other favorites from "Philadelphia Freeway" included "All My Life" w/Nate Dogg, "Life" w/Beanie Sigel, "Don't Cross The Line" w/Faith Evans and the other 2 singles "Alright" with Allen Anthony and "Flipside" w/Peedi Crakk. Out of the 16 tracks, Just Blaze produced 10 tracks and Kanye West produced 2, so even if you were a fan of Freeway lyrically, the production was clearly the strength of the CD.



Over 4 and a half years later, Freeway returns with "Free At Last". I went to see Jay-Z at Club Love in Washington DC and Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and Young Chris kept saying "Free At Last" by Freeway is being released on 11/20/07. That was the only way that I found out that this Freeway CD was being released, which is the 1st thing that I didn't understand about Freeway's 2nd disc. You would think that if a Rocafella artist hadn't released a CD in 4 and a half years, that his CD would have got better promotion than it did. The first song that I heard from "Free At Last" was "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" which featured Jay-Z. This song is definitely a nice track for the clubs and I like how Dame Grease used the same "Big Spender" sample that Missy and Tweet used for a bonus track of the same name on Tweet's "Southern Hummingbird" CD. The official 1st single from what I understand is "Still Got Love" which was produced by Bink. The song does its best to reintroduce Freeway to anyone who may have enjoyed his 1st CD and his past Rocafella collaborations. "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" and "Still Got Love" are the only tracks that you could probably make singles from on "Free At Last". The majority of the rest of "Free At Last" has Freeway back on the grind and in the streets. "This Can't Be Real" is a nice, soulful number that is produced by Ivan Barias and Carvin Haggins, who have done a lot of work with Musiq Soulchild. Marsha Ambrosius, better known as the Songstress from Floetry, lends some nice vocals to this track as Freeway lets you know how he was discovered while he was still doing his thing in the streets. He also does a good job of letting us know how he felt during the time when all the drama was going on between Jay-Z, Dame Dash and Biggs, who were the co-owners of Rocafella Records. Jake One uses a "sick" sample with "I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over" on the track "It's Over". Freeway explains how he had to keep making the "Free At Last" project with no help from Just Blaze and Kanye West. Lyrically, Freeway is on point on this track as he lets you know what he's been up to since his last release. Dangerous LLC show up to produce "Spit That S***" as they produce a track that would sound like 50 Cent would want to get on but Freeway does a good job on it. Although, he needs to do away with "Freezer" as a nickname. Chad "Wes" Hamilton, who did some production work on Beanie Sigel's last CD, "The B. Coming", shows up to produce "Reppin' The Streets" and one of my favorite tracks on "Free At Last", "Baby Don't Do It", which features Scarface. "Baby Don't Do It" starts off with an old school sample, "The Overture Of Foxy Brown" and Freeway and Scarface take care of the rest as it seems that the 2 rappers are freestyling about the way that things can go down in the streets. Free At Last's highlight is a track that matches Freeway with Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss, Def Jam's newest signee, on "Walk Wit Me". Don Cannon is on the boards and the three rappers take care of the rest as Freeway is able to keep up with Busta and Jada.



The only downside to "Free At Last" has to be "Take It To The Top" which ends up being a candy coated JR Rotem beat and a singing 50 Cent on the hook, as well as, "Lights Get Low" which was an uninspiring collaboration between Freeway and Rick Ross and a C- beat from Cool& Dre. I have heard much better from Cool& Dre when it comes to production.



I am pretty sure that Freeway wanted to release another CD with Just Blaze and Kanye West producing the majority of the CD, but Bink, Chad Hamilton, Ivan Barias, Carvin Haggins, Don Cannon, etc. do their best to provide Freeway the best production possible. The majority of the tracks use old school soul samples and you can tell that Freeway is determined by the way that the majority of the songs sound. The problem is, in these days and times, if you don't make a CD with staying power, you end up being just another rapper, regardless of the crew that you represent.



If you were a fan of "Philadelphia Freeway" and Freeway's earlier collaborations with Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel and others, then I think that you will enjoy "Free At Last". However, if you didn't like Freeway's earlier work, then you might just want to leave this one on the shelves. I rate this CD 3 and a half stars, because the production, while it's nice doesn't match up to his debut CD. However, Freeway's determination, with the production and promotion that he does have, should be enough to maintain any fan base that he does have.



James' Top 5



1) Walk Wit Me w/Busta Rhymes & Jadakiss

2) Baby Don't Do It w/Scarface

3) This Can't Be Real w/Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry

4) Roc-A-Fella Billionaires w/Jay-Z

5) It's Over



Honorable Mention:



Spit That S_____

Free At Last

Reppin' The Streets

When They Remember

I Cry"

Getting better with time

Nuisance | Miami | 11/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I might be one of the few who like his first album, Philadelphia Freeway. I like his style but I do believe he has topped that album with this one. Lyrically its better than the first plus Freeway was spittin those bars on this album like Kobe was shooting that ball after the trial. Like his life depends on it. Production: dope samples of old school records. You know the type you would hear on a Beanie Sigel album. Now....The review.

The album starts off with a good song called This Cant Be Real(feat Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry) where Freway talks about his life and Rocafella. Freway's hunger is evidenced on tracks like Its Over, Spit That S*** and Nuttin On Me. He has collaborations that work well also. The first single Roc-A-Fella Billionaires, which features Jay-z is a good choice for first single. Scarface makes a great appearance on Baby Dont Do It and Walk Wit Me feat Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes is the best collabo track on here next to Baby Dont Do It feat Scarface.

I Cry is a heartfelt joint where Freeway recalls everybody he knew that passed on. The only tracks Id skip is Take It To The Top(borderline cheesy chick record featuring 50 Cent), Lights Get Low with Rick Ross sounds out of place on this album and When They Remember(lyrically it was alright but the sample was too much). Bottom Line: Free At Last blows Philadelphia Freeway out of the water. Lyrically its a lot better and production wise it was a lot better plus the guest spots do the appearances on this album justice. I'll recommend this one to anybody who felt his first album. Standout Tracks: IT'S OVER, ROC-A-FELLA BILLIONAIRES, SPIT THAT S***, BABY DONT DO IT, NUTTIN ON ME, WALK WIT ME and I CRY(my favorite)."

One of hip hop's most captivating MCs

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 11/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Following some guests and contributions to the State Property projects, Freeway burst on the scene in early 2003 with his classic debut Philadelphia Freeway, one of the best albums of the new millennium. Backed by the incredible production of Just Blaze and Kanye West, Freeway spoke passionately about his urban experience and Muslim spirit with wonderful conviction. His gruff delivery and trademark beard made him instantly recognizable both vocally and visually, and it appeared that Roc-A-Fella had another game-changing star in the making.



Unfortunately, it's been nearly five years since Philadelphia Freeway, and his fans have been patiently awaiting his follow-up. The entire State Property crew, once dubbed "the future of the Roc" has been notably quiet lately, with Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Young Gunz, and Oschino & Sparks notably MIA. Even after all this time, this album somehow feels rushed, with very little promotion behind it and a release date sandwiched between blockbuster albums by labelmates Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. Only one guest verse comes from a Roc-A-Fella member on the whole LP, a rarity in Roc releases. Despite these factors working against it, "Free at Last" is structurally very similar to his debut, with no skits, high quality production, and a similar rhyme style. However, neither Just Blaze nor Kanye show up, and Free addresses this. The project is overseen by 50 Cent, among others, and there are numerous producers. Even without the two production heavyweights of his debut, the production is excellent throughout and really fits his style. Musically, it's not as jaw dropping as his first album, but it lets the listener focus on what a true talent Freeway really is. He always keeps your full attention with his raw passion, and I love how his hood tales are always balanced with a moral undertone. Free has so much to talk about, and he's a joy to listen to. He brings great energy to any track, and his flow and delivery are among the best in hip hop. "Free at Last" is fourteen tracks deep of mostly great songs. Collaborations are frequent, but not so much as on Philadelphia Freeway. I think that Freeway really is a special rapper, and it's easy to see after just a few listens on "Free at Last." It's not on the same level as his debut, but for any of his fans that have been waiting for his follow-up, this is it.



The album opens with its best song, the beautiful "This Can't Be Real." The production is wonderful, anchored by a breezy flute and vocals by Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry. Freeway recalls growing up, beginning rapping, and his entire life in a well-written chronicle. On "It's Over," he addresses his recent problems, such as inactivity and not working with Kanye and Just Blaze. The joyful "Still Got Love" has a great beat and nice performance from Free, followed by the single "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" with Jay-Z. I thought this was a good, not great, track that was a good choice of a single, lot of mainstream appeal. The beat is a Swizz Beatz-type of frenetic club beat, and the lyrics are pretty basic gangsta flossing. One of my top tracks is "When They Remember," which uses a very dramatic vocal and horn sample to spit some righteous lyricism. "Take It to the Top" is a poppy 50 Cent collabo, it's not great but not bad either. "Spit That S..." recaptures the old Roc-A-Fella sound, street ready with simple, rough production. The thoughtful "Reppin' the Streets" is a little reminiscent of some cuts from his debut, and the title track is nice but doesn't quite stand out. The southern legend Scarface provides a high profile appearance on "Baby Don't Do It," and the hard "Nuttin' on Me" precedes the big-time collabo "Walk Wit Me," with Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss, a highlight for sure. Rick Ross gives a weak guest on the skippable "Lights Get Low," and the album closes with the deep "I Cry," which is presented as a sequel to "Hear the Song" from his debut.



"Free at Last" may come and go quietly due to its lack of promotion and release date, but it's an album that should get some spins for a while from his fans. It's not as memorable as his debut, but once again Freeway has established himself as a true talent and an MC to be reckoned with."