“First things first, watch what you say out ya mouth
when you talkin on the phone to huuuustlerrrrrrssss”
That right there was my, and probably most pre-Black album Jay-Z fan’s(yep we saw the bandwagon pull up) introduction to the man we now know as Freeway. Truth be told my first instinct upon hearing him was that he sucked. Sounded like an annoying, crying snagglepuss kinda guy. 1900-Hustler as a song however was too hot to deny, primarily due to Just Blaze killing it on the beat. Thus the song stayed on repeat and I found myself gradually warming to this guy with the whiney delivery.
Fast forward a couple years to 2003 and you would find me with pretty much 2 albums on constant rotate the whole year. 50 - Get rich or die trying (Classic, fuck off if you think otherwise) and Freeway – Philadelphia Freeway. Joe Budden’s debut was also big for me but where Joe had managed a few standout gems on his, Freeway and Curtis had seemingly nailed what it is to make dope ALBUMS from start to finish. Much credit again went to Just Blaze who handled most of the production on the album and being that I was such a stan for the ‘ROC’ sound at that time, it was a no brainer that I’d be bangin it just off that fact. However Freeway still did the damn thing on the album, and did it with a fresh style all his own. Mostly due to the voice and flow, partly due to him being a paradox in himself. A muslim with an Abraham Lincoln beard who often raps about drug dealing. Sounds crazy on paper, but it WORKED.
Fast forward another couple years and here we are. Curtis’s superstardom is well documented, Joe Budden has released 88 mixtapes, has near Canibus-like adulation from internet fans and has had his album pushed back more times than… anything. However we have rarely seen hide nor hair of Freeway’s beard in almost 4 years. There was his appearance on College Dropout in 04 and that song with 50 that surfaced mid last year. But still… it has been a long time comin for the man who coined the term ‘earrrrrrrly’. I was bout as excited as I get to hear a new track from Free, specially one featurin Jay. So lets hope the Rocafella/State Prop dramas are in the past and that the album is on the way.
Freeway feat Jay-Z - Big Spender
June 15th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Free’s the man but that beat is ugly like his frame
June 15th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I was hoping you’d blog about this. Got this this morning. It’s vicious. Freeway has to have one of the most entertaining voices. Dude could commentate paint drying and I’d listen.
Jay’s verse is actually OK. I thought it kind of put to rest the talk of him falling off something chronic, but then I thought this might been recorded ages ago. Either way I’ve been punishing my workmates by playing it over again.
Needs a remix though, that beat is pretty mud.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
meanest props bro!
June 17th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Freeway and Skills have done a track called U Don’t Know (i think it’s called that).
It is the shit.. and one of my fav tracks right now. Free absolutely nails it. Make sure you check it.
June 17th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Welcome Turksta, will check for it, gobble gobble gobble
October 30th, 2007 at 12:31 am
Dont sweat it Kid. Thanks for the shout