Freeway (rapper)

Freeway was born Leslie Pridgen on August 6, 1978, in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He adopted his moniker from the name of the infamous drug trafficker "Freeway" Rick Ross as he found no one wanted to listen to a rapper named Leslie. Freeway began his career by participating in freestyle battles in his high school and met fellow Philadelphia native Beanie Sigel, while rapping on stage at a hometown nightclub. Not long after being signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, Sigel put in a word for Freeway, who made his first appearance on The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, on the track "1-900-Hustler" with Sigel, Jay-Z, and Memphis Bleek. After the appearance, Jay-Z signed him to a deal; he was featured on "Think it's a Game", also alongside Jay-Z, on Sigel's second album The Reason. In 2001, he underwent a notorious freestyle battle with then-unsigned rapper Cassidy, hosted by Swizz Beatz and lost with a unanimous judges decision.[http://rapmusic.com/threads/50-greatest-battle-rappers-classic-battles-cassidy-vs-freeway.1331820/ "50 Greatest Battle Rappers (Classic Battles): Cassidy vs. Freeway."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145038/http://rapmusic.com/threads/50-greatest-battle-rappers-classic-battles-cassidy-vs-freeway.1331820/ |date=July 14, 2014 }} www.rapmusic.com, July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2014.

On February 25, 2003, Freeway released his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway. The album was produced primarily by Roc-A-Fella-affiliated beatsmiths Just Blaze, Bink!, and Kanye West and featured a large number of Roc-A-Fella rappers. Many of them also hailed from Philadelphia, and were soon compiled into the group State Property led by Freeway and Beanie Sigel. The album had two singles, the biggest hits of Freeway's career thus far: "What We Do", featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, for which a video was released showcasing most of the Roc's roster at the time,{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458844/20021122/freeway.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021124131707/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458844/20021122/freeway.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2002 |title=Jay-Z, Beans, Dame Dash Withstand Fire, Rain On Freeway Video Set |publisher=MTV.com |date=November 22, 2002 |access-date=February 11, 2011}} and "Flipside", featuring State Property member Peedi Crakk; both records were produced by Just Blaze. The album also sold over 500,000 units in the United States.

After Jay-Z's "retirement" album and the uncertainty over what direction the label was headed, Beanie Sigel was convicted and jailed on a charge of attempted murder. Relations between Beanie Sigel and State Property soured after the incarceration of Sigel, and State Property essentially broke up, with Sigel stating he was unsure he would work with them again.{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507399/20050810/sigel_beanie.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050813034844/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507399/20050810/sigel_beanie.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2005 |title=Beanie Blasts 'Disloyal' State Property, Explains Why He's With Dame And Not Jay-Z |publisher=MTV |date=August 10, 2005 |access-date=February 11, 2011}} Over the next few years, members of the group—most notably Freeway and Sigel themselves—slowly began collaborating once again, though members such as Oschino and Peedi Crakk fell out of the loop. During this time, with his crew and label in turmoil, Freeway turned to his Muslim faith.{{cite magazine |last1=Bronstein |first1=Jake |title=Interview: Freeway |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/interview-freeway-232913/ |access-date=July 31, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 17, 2003}} With uncertainty in the air, Freeway put together another Philadelphia-based crew called Ice City, named after their North Philly neighborhood. While active, the group consisted of Face Money, Bars and Hydro,{{cite web |last1=Jeffries |first1=David |title=Welcome to the Hood |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/welcome-to-the-hood-mw0000165308 |website=www.allmusic.com |access-date=July 31, 2018}} with Freeway playing a major mentoring role. Their debut album, Welcome to the Hood, was released under Sure Shot Recordings, but received little attention.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/freeway/artist.jhtml#bio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060415043516/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/freeway/artist.jhtml#bio |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 15, 2006 |title=Freeway Bio |publisher=MTV.com |access-date=February 11, 2011}} Subsequently, groupmember Hydro released a mixtape dissing Freeway, distancing himself and the group from its founder.{{cite web |url=http://smartenupnas.com/2007/02/27/hydro-ice-city-turn-their-back-on-freeway-and-exposes-him-on-a-new-mixtape/ |title=HYDRO & ICE CITY turn their back on Freeway and exposes him on a new MIXTAPE |publisher=Smartenupnas.com |date=February 27, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324153023/http://smartenupnas.com/2007/02/27/hydro-ice-city-turn-their-back-on-freeway-and-exposes-him-on-a-new-mixtape/ |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

File:Freeway performing in Wilmington, Delaware.jpg in July 2008.]] In response to a crisis of faith, Freeway went on hiatus for a few years, making his Hajj, a journey to the holy city of Mecca, required by every Muslim at least once in his or her lifetime if they are able. Upon his return, Freeway recorded his second album Free at Last, which was released in the United States on November 20, 2007.{{cite web |url=http://nahright.com/news/2007/10/17/freeway-paper-gangsters/ |title=DefJam. Accessed August 23, 2007 |publisher=Nahright.com |date=October 17, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106124913/http://nahright.com/news/2007/10/17/freeway-paper-gangsters/ |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }} Initially, Jay-Z and 50 Cent were both set to co-executive produce the album; while both were featured, the project ended up solely a Roc-A-Fella release, with 50 giving up his co-executive producer's role.{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Steven |title=Freeway Explains Why G-Unit Deal Fell Through, Delivers Freestyle |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.22018/title.freeway-explains-why-g-unit-deal-fell-through-delivers-freestyle |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=hiphopdx.com |date=November 28, 2012}} The first single was "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires", featuring Jay-Z, which leaked to the internet; the second single, and first official single, was "Lights Get Low" featuring Rick Ross and Dre of the production team Cool & Dre. As the album featured no production from either Kanye West or Just Blaze, who together produced the lion's share of his debut, Freeway lashed out at them in his lyrics, generating rumors that he and his former producers had unresolved differences.{{cite web |url=http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/freeway-speaks-on-kanyeits-over/ |title=Miss Info Exclusive: Freeway Speaks on Kanye…."It's Over" |publisher=MissInfo.tv |date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416222649/http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/freeway-speaks-on-kanyeits-over/ |url-status=dead }} After the album's release, Freeway went on record to clarify his comments, saying he had no real animosity towards them and that he had only been speaking his mind.{{cite web |url=http://nahright.com/news/2007/10/24/freeway-speaks-on-kanyejust-blaze-comments/ |title=Freeway Speaks On Kanye/Just Blaze Comments |publisher=Nah Right |date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106124912/http://nahright.com/news/2007/10/24/freeway-speaks-on-kanyejust-blaze-comments/ |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }} The album eventually sold over 100,000.{{cite web |last=Ewing |first=Aliya |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6675/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-30-08 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/30/08 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHopDX |date=April 2, 2008 |access-date=February 11, 2011}} In 2008, Freeway initiated what he called the Month of Madness, releasing a song a day for the month of December.{{cite news |last1=Orcutt |first1=KC |title=30 Unconventional Marketing Methods Used By Hip-Hop Artists |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/30-unconventional-marketing-methods-used-by-hip-hop-artists-news.33700.html |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=hotnewhiphop.com |date=June 24, 2017}} The songs, featuring input from Phoe Notes, Erick Sermon, Don Cannon, Cardiak, Jake One, Oddisee and others, were later compiled into a mixtape.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12633-month-of-madness/|title=Freeway Month of Madness|website=Pitchfork}} The year 2009 brought an announcement that he would be working on his third album amidst his regrets over hearing Jay-Z had stepped down as Def Jam president. Shortly afterward, the rapper announced his release from Def Jam, which distributed a now defunct Roc-A-Fella Records,{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Danny |title=Happy Birthday, Jay-Z: A Quick Look At His Rise To Near-Billionaire Status |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/happy-birthday-jay-z-a-quick-look-at-his-rise-to-near-billionaire-status-news.40343.html |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=hotnewhiphop.com |date=December 4, 2017}} and that his next album would be titled The Stimulus Package, produced by Jake One and released by Rhymesayers Entertainment.{{cite news |last1=Kangas |first1=Chaz |title=Rhymesayers at 20: How the best roster in hip-hop was built |url=http://www.citypages.com/music/rhymesayers-at-20-how-the-best-roster-in-hip-hop-was-built-7870787 |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=City Pages |date=December 2, 2015}}

A project titled Philadelphia Freeway 2 was released on the independent label Real Talk Entertainment on May 19, 2009.{{cite news |last1=Yuscavage |first1=Chris |title=A History of Rap Album Sequels |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/rap-album-sequels/freeway-philadelphia-freeway |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=Complex |date=September 18, 2013}} The first single, "Finally Free", was released on iTunes on April 14, 2009.{{cite web |title=Finally Free - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/qa/album/finally-free-single/311601195 |website=iTunes |date=April 14, 2009 |access-date=July 31, 2018}} Freeway also made an original song "Car Jack" for the 2009 game Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned.{{cite web |title=Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned EP Special Edition |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/grand-theft-auto-iv-the-lost-damned-ep-special-edition/1376789670 |website=iTunes |date=January 1, 2011 |access-date=July 31, 2018}} On March 19, 2009, he performed at SXSW.{{cite web |title=Freeway |url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2013/events/event_MS24164 |website=schedule.sxsw.com |access-date=July 31, 2018}} Freeway released his mixtape "The Beat Made Me Do It" on November 13, 2009, which featured production by veteran producer Jake One with assistance by Don Cannon to officially announce his 2010 Rhymesayers debut album The Stimulus Package.{{cite web |title=Freeway |url=https://rhymesayers.com/artists/freeway |website=rhymesayers.com |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215825/https://rhymesayers.com/artists/freeway |url-status=dead }} Rhymesayers and Freeway leaked the first official track and video, "Know What I Mean" off of The Stimulus Package on December 1, 2009.{{cite news |last1=Richter |first1=Adam |title=New releases by Freeway & Jake One, Lelica and Dios get reviewed together for no good reason |url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2010/02/new_releases_by_freeway_jake_o.html |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=Lehigh Valley Live |date=February 26, 2010}}

In June 2009, Freeway had confirmed a deal with Cash Money Records, and the start of his own label, Free Money. Following this, he put out a few mixtape tracks speaking of the deal, including "Touchdown" and "All Night Long".

Freeway, speaking on that label deal and his relationship with Jay-Z:

"I been fucking with Cash Money," he said in an interview. "You know, me and Wayne did a joint for the last album, but we couldn't get the shit cleared in time and all that. We just throwing around some ideas. And I'm launching a label, Free Money, so what better home for it...My man Ceelo, he worked with Baby, so he really basically connected us like that. But, right now everything is still in preliminary...It's still Roc-A-Fella for life. That's something that's not going to leave me...Everything still preliminary. Jay give me his blessing with whatever I want to do. Jay want to see niggas making moves."[http://www.sohh.com/2009/06/freeway_confirms_cayjyfftthsh_mon.html]{{dead link|date=February 2011}}

In a video interview with KarmaloopTV in 2010, Freeway announced a new clothing line in the works titled "Freestyle".{{cite web |url=http://hiphop-n-more.com/2010/08/freeway-announces-new-album-diamond-in-the-rough/ |title=Freeway Announces New Album 'Diamond In The Ruff' | HipHop-N-More |publisher=Hiphop-n-more.com |date=August 21, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2011}} In addition to the new clothing line, Free also announced an album called Diamond In The Ruff which featured production from Jake One, Bink!, Needlz and Just Blaze. Freeway explained in the interview that the album should have come after Philadelphia Freeway.{{cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12029/title.dx-news-bits-freeway-newtroit-records-kanye-west |title=DX News Bits: Freeway, Newtroit Records, Kanye West | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHopDX |date=August 23, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829060921/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12029/title.dx-news-bits-freeway-newtroit-records-kanye-west |archive-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Diamond In the Ruff was released November 27, 2012, and featured collaborations with Rick Ross and Black Thought. Freeway recorded an EP with Statik Selektah, called the Statik-Free EP, which was completed in 24 hours and released on iTunes on January 11, 2011.{{cite web |last=Gary |first=Kevin S. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13592/title.freeway-statik-selektah-one-day-made-ep-statikfree-hits-itunes |title=Freeway & Statik Selektah One-Day-Made EP "StatikFree" Hits iTunes | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHopDX |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114095304/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13592/title.freeway-statik-selektah-one-day-made-ep-statikfree-hits-itunes |archive-date=January 14, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Freeway also released a collaboration in 2014 with DJ mashup artist Girl Talk, an EP called Broken Ankles, which included stylistic attributes that would normally be included in transitions between Girl Talk segments.{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Stacey |title=Girl Talk and Freeway Explain 'Broken Ankles' and Being Brutal |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/girl-talk-and-freeway-explain-broken-ankles-and-being-brutal-170860/ |access-date=July 30, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 18, 2014}}

In 2015, Freeway was diagnosed with kidney failure, and as a result, wrote about dealing with the experience on his 2016 album, Free Will, which he released independently.{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Joe |title=Freeway Celebrates His Health With New Song "All the Way Live" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/04/freeway-all-the-way-live |access-date=July 27, 2018 |work=Complex |date=April 27, 2018}} He began what became a three-year wait for a kidney transplant, and currently serves as the official ambassador for the Kidney Foundation.{{cite news |last1=Allah |first1=Sha Be |title=PHILLY FREEWAY NEEDS IMMEDIATE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT |url=http://thesource.com/2018/05/07/philly-freeway-needs-immediate-kidney-transplant/ |access-date=July 27, 2018 |work=The Source |date=May 7, 2018}} On Free Will, frequent Nas collaborator L.E.S. produced "Kane & Abel," and Girl Talk produced "Addiction," "Always Love You" and "First Things First." G-Unit's Young Buck has a feature spot on "We Thuggin."{{cite news |last1=Gibbons |first1=Chris |title=FREEWAY HOLDS HIS OWN ON 'FREE WILL' |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2016/05/freeway-holds-his-own-on-free-will/ |access-date=July 27, 2018 |work=XXL Magazine |date=May 4, 2016}}

After years away, Freeway returned to working with Jay-Z at his entertainment company called Roc Nation in 2018. Under this umbrella, Freeway's sixth solo album, Think Free, was released that year on June 22, and its 13 songs include appearances from Lil Wayne, Lil Uzi Vert, Jadakiss, BJ The Chicago Kid, Fat Joe, Faith Evans and more. The first singles released were "All Falls Down," "All the Way Live" and "Blood Pressure," with the latter featuring Lil Wayne.{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Darry |title=Freeway Delivers Sixth Studio Album 'Think Free' |url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/06/freeway-think-free/ |access-date=July 30, 2018 |work=Vibe Magazine |date=June 22, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215754/https://www.vibe.com/2018/06/freeway-think-free/ |url-status=dead }}

Prior to the release of Think Free, Freeway announced he was filming the Think Free documentary, a video account offering a behind-the-scene look at his music, family life, and health following the diagnosis of kidney failure.{{cite news |last1=Ketchum III |first1=William E |title=Freeway premieres 'Think Free' doc about kidney disease, announces Roc Nation LP |url=https://revolt.tv/stories/2018/04/25/freeway-premieres-free-doc-kidney-disease-announces-roc-nation-lp-0700c602cc |access-date=July 30, 2018 |work=Revolt TV |date=April 25, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215558/https://revolt.tv/stories/2018/04/25/freeway-premieres-free-doc-kidney-disease-announces-roc-nation-lp-0700c602cc |url-status=dead }} The documentary, which was originally scheduled to accompany the Think Free album, has yet to be released. The rapper underwent a kidney transplant in February 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.fox29.com/news/from-kidney-failure-to-transplant-philly-rapper-freeway-advocates-for-kidney-disease-awareness|title=From kidney failure to transplant: Philly rapper Freeway advocates for kidney disease awareness|website=Fox29|date=March 1, 2020}}

{{main|Freeway discography}}

Studio albums

• Philadelphia Freeway (2003)
• Free at Last (2007)
• Philadelphia Freeway 2 (2009)
• Diamond in the Ruff (2012)
• Free Will (2016)
• Think Free (2018)

Collaborative albums

• State Property OST (with State Property) (2002)
• The Chain Gang Vol. 2 (with State Property) (2003)
• The Stimulus Package (with Jake One) (2010)
• The Roc Boys (with Beanie Sigel) (2010)
• Highway Robbery (with The Jacka) (2014)
• The Stimulus Package 2 (with Jake One) (2024)

• Def Jam Fight for NY (2004) as himself{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426436/?ref_=nv_sr_1|title=Def Jam: Fight for NY IMDB Page|work=IMDb|access-date=February 23, 2017}}
• Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (2006) as himself{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/def-jam-fight-for-ny-the-takeover/3030-22083/characters/|title=Def Jam: Fight for NY: The Takeover|work=Giant Bomb|access-date=February 23, 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{IMDb name |id=1085396 |name=Freeway}}
• [http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=freeway4 HipHopGame Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417050827/http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=freeway4 |date=April 17, 2009 }}
• [http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2010-02-13T11_31_16-08_00 Uncensored Freeway Radio Interview 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715101234/http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2010-02-13T11_31_16-08_00 |date=July 15, 2011 }}

{{Freeway}}

{{State Property}}

{{Cash Money Records}}

{{Roc-A-Fella Records}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeway}}

Category:1978 births

Category:Living people

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:20th-century American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists

Category:African-American Muslims

Category:Muslims from Pennsylvania

Category:Rappers from Philadelphia

Category:Roc Nation artists