Search - Freeway :: Philadelphia Freeway 2

Free is back!

Hassan Amiri | Ohio | 06/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was watching Music Choice rap station on Comcast a month ago and it said that Freeway released this album early this year and I was in shock. I did not know that he had nor when or on what label. Was it a major release? A bootleg? A mixtape? A crappy low budget kinda deal. So I came on here and listened to the samples and was convinced on them alone to buy this album. I have never been more content with a purchase. This album is definitely up there with his past two albums and especially his debut, Philadelphia Freeway. It made have even surpassed it in terms of beats. There is not one bad beat on this album, while the first album had a couple songs that I tend to skip. I also liked the lack of guest appearances. Freeway was able to hold this album down on his own with big name producers, label or guests (with the exception of Sheek). My only downside to this album is its 13 songs and four of them are skits (the intro, outro and two interludes). So its really only a 9 song album. But those 9 songs are biddanging! Check out tracks "Finally Free" (which would be a good album title; kinda like Free At Last), Gots to be the Bomb (best song on the album), and Murder Muzic



So if you like Freeway, I say DEFINITELY add this album to your collection! Holla!"

Leave it to Free (4.5/5)

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 05/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I cringed when I saw that Freeway had fallen into the clutches of Real Talk Ent., a distributor that tends to ink well-known rappers, offer zero promotion, and exploit the artists once they've left the label with unauthorized releases. I'm not sure of the circumstances surrounding this release or Free's current standing with Roc-A-Fella (he has some not-so-kind words for Jay but shouts out the label on the outro), but in any event, "Philadelphia Freeway 2," billed as a sequel to his hit-laden, star-studded 2003 debut, came out of nowhere without so much as a press release. It's a little humbling to see a rapper I still consider up-and-coming relegated to independents so quickly in the current market, because he's a rapper with real star potential: incredible talent and immediate commercial appeal. It seems like just yesterday he was the face of State Property and one of Jay-Z's rising stars.



But leave it to Free to shine despite the odds. From the fiery opener "Finally Free," it's clear that he is back rhyming as ferociously as ever. His emotional, inimitable flow sounds great and his verses show the same hunger as on his first two albums. The biggest surprise, though, is the beats. These tracks are fresh, polished, and upbeat, perfectly suited for Freeway's Philly style. "Philadelphia Freeway 2" is a concise, extremely consistent listen with no skip material, and Free brings inspired energy for the entire thirteen tracks. The most notable track is "Crack Rap," a tour de force chronicling a personal experience with drug use and the hypocrisy in street trade. This shows Freeway at his best: immersed in hood culture yet conscious of the evil and pitfalls. The rich beat also makes this track a winner. "Murda Music," both mixes of "Hands Up," and "Gotz 2 Be the Bomb" are rallying street anthems, and "Streets Won't Miss `Em" and "Around the World" are thoughtful, effective songs with great production. My favorite song, though, is "It's a Good Day," where Freeway tells of a happy day in his neighborhood and delivers commentary on the state of life over a somber track.



Time and time again I find that Freeway is one of rap's best, a rapper so technically and lyrically sound yet energetic and original that he sounds like no other, and perfectly balanced between street music and philosophical musings. He makes it a perfect three for three with "Philadelphia Freeway 2" and proves that whether indie or major, he's still one of rap's most captivating and powerful MCs. This is a perfect sequel to his first two LPs, one of the best rap releases of 2009, and should definitely be heard."

3rd solo is a Classic

G$ | B-More, MD | 05/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Freeway returns after just a year and a half and drops his 3rd solo, and his best a definite classic ("Philadelphia Freeway" I'd give 4.5 and "Free at Last" I'd give 4 stars). Like all Real Talk Ent. albums, it's short at just 9 songs, of the 9, 1 is a Classic, 3 are almost classics, the other 5 are good, mostly real good songs. Guests are only on 1 song doing 1 verse, so though short, you get to hear a decent amount of Freeway. Glad to see Real Talk puts out another album from a big name rapper with little or no promortion (they have done the same with: Pastor Troy, Edi Amin & Young Noble of the Outlawz, MC Eiht, Spice 1, 8Ball & MJG, Sheek, Layzie & Bizzy Bone, Lil Flip, Brotha Lynch Hung and a few others over the past few years). Production is great as well and handled by the same 3 who do all Real Talk albums, Cozmo does 4 songs, Vinve V does 3, and Big Hollis does 2. A must have classic album from Freeway.



#2 - 9

#3 - 8.5

#4 - 8.5

#6 - 9.5

#7 - 9.5

#8 - 9.5

#9 - 8

#11 - 10 (Classic)

#12 - 9 (f/ Sheek Louch)



Leslie Prodgen -- b. 1979 -- Philadelphia, PA

Check all my reviews"