Customer Reviews

Philadelphia Freeway

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Ever since peeps heard Freeway debuting on Jay-Z's "1-900-HUSTLER" from The Dynasty album, people were wondering, "Who is that???" Anticipation for his album to drop grew as the years went by: his album kept getting pushed back but he was on plenty songs including "8 Miles and Running" with Jay-Z from the 8 Mile soundtrack. But there was also some criticism that came with it (his high-pitched whiny growl can be grating on the ears). So how will his debut be? Let's find out...

Philadelphia Freeway may be a generic title for his album but it does illustrate that he reps his hometown to the fullest. So does fellow Roc-a-fella labelmate and Philadelphian Beanie Sigel, who shows up on two tracks. Beans raps pretty lazily on the otherwise decent "Life" but makes up for it on the hard-hitting track, "What We Do..." (also featuring Jay-Z). The latter track is easily the best song on here while Free holds his own against the two already established artists. The beat by Just Blaze ain't bad either.

But it's VERY hard for Freeway to hold his own any other time because there are so many darn guest stars on this album. Freeway is by himself on only two songs ("Free" and "Hear the Song", which are both highlights). Maybe this is a sign of the times or better yet, maybe Roc-a-fella knew that even the biggest Freeway fans would grow tired of his voice so they threw other people on this album. All parts of the map are covered as you'll find such guest stars as Nate Dogg on "All My Life" (an update of Biggie's "Going Back to Cali"), Snoop Dogg on the ill "We Get Around", and Nelly (whose chorus outshines Free's verses on "On My Own"). But Mariah Carey's, Jay-Z's, and Free's voices are all equally annoying on "You Got Me" while Just Blaze wastes a good beat.

It's a good thing that those guest stars are there because Freeway's voice, flow, and subject matter (moving keys, being trigga-happy) stays the same throughout. You wish that he had the versatility that his other labelmates have. Oh well, at least the usual Roc producers Kanye West and Just Blaze (among others) keep things interesting: their beats, as usual, are dope enough to bump in your rides, so you don't even need to pay attention to the lyrics (like most people do that??).

It was hard to rate this album. I was about to give it two stars but it ain't that bad, yet I couldn't give it four stars because it's not that good. So I give it three for being "aiight". Freeway's voice IS irritating after ten seconds and there are too many guest stars but there are also dope beats and rhymes, so they all balance out. Bottom line: listen to the album before you buy it. If Freeway comes out with a sophomore album, it'll probably sound the same as this one unless he steps his game up a notch.

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

Since Freeway first appeared with his raspy yelling odd voice and rhyming scheme I've loved him, others hate it. One way or another this cd is very solid. Production is great, mostly handled by Just Blaze (10 songs of the 16 on here), Bink One & Kanye West each do 2, and Black Key & Ruggedness each do 1. It has 1 classic, 2 ok songs, 3-5 almost classics, and the rest are mostly great songs with a few being good. I would like to have seen his classics "Nightshift" (w/ Memphis Bleek) and "We Move Out" on here but it's still a great album. Guests are on half the songs rapping, and only 3 songs don't have a guest. Freeway spits his usual material, hustling and gangsta lyrics, with a few deeper songs and ghetto tales. A must have album for rap fans and fans of the ROC.

#1 - 9
#2 - 9.5 (f/ Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel)
#3 - 8.5 (f/ nate Dogg)
#4 - 8 (f/ Peedi Crakk)
#5 -7 (f/ Nelly)
#6 - 8 (F/ Snoop Dogg)
#7 - 9 (f/ Faith Evans)
#8 - 8.5 (f/ Beanie Sigel)
#9 - 10 (CLASSIC -- f/ Young Gunz)
#10 - 8
#11 - 9 (f/ Rell)
#12 - 9.5 (f/ Sparks)
#13 - 8
#14 - 8.5
#15 - 7 (f/ Mariah Carey & Jay-z)
#16 - 9.5 (f/ Young Chris of the Young Gunz)

Leslie Pridgen -- b. 1979 -- Philadelphia, PA
CHECK ALL MY REVIEWS

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.

This is a strong album judging strictly from the beats. The producers (Just Blaze (most tracks) and Bink!) present us with some of the best beats the game has seen in almost forever. However, what completes the greatness of a beat is the MC spitting over it. This is where the album starts to lack luster. You see, Freeway has a very unorthodox flow where he tends to not even rhyme at certain times. It takes much listening to get used to his "injured seal" style voice. Honestly, it becomes too annoying to listen to repeatedly. However, there are strong tracks. The best being "Flipside" featuring Peedi Crakk, "On My Own" featuring Nelly, "Life" featuring Beanie Sigel and of course "What We Do" featuring Jay-Z and Beans. Picking up on a theme? Freeway likes collaborations. Bottom line is Free belongs strictly a guest on albums like "The Dynasty" (A must buy for any Rap fan). Verdict: Wait for Freeway to mature in the game, then maybe he can release an album worth your twenty dollars. Don't hold your breath though, Roc-A-Fella's roster is crammed with bad artists and the loss of Jay-Z (retiring) will most definatley send them into bankruptcy. Sorry Free, it's a hard knock life.

I recommend this cd only for "What We Do" and "Alright" which i believe is THE hottest track on the cd, other than that, nothing more...

Philadephia Freeway's lyrical presence is well known, and we may all know that he is definetely a great MC with potential to climb near the top. However, this will not go down as one of the 'debute-greats.' Too many guest appearances of commercial stars such as Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Beanie, Bleek, Jay-Z, Nate Dogg and others detract from Freeway's ability to tell his story. Perhaps less guest appearances would make this debut great, but ill stick to the 3 stars i gave it.

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!

Yeah,
Actually I like Freeway,
all y'all think his voice wack but I just love his voice!
Free got a Smooth Voice and Great Flow!
To get into Freeway, love his voice is the most important!
If you can't accept his voice, buying this album is totally waste your cash!

I got it when it's in crazy sale,
just Cost me $3USD

Just Blaze produce 10 songs in here,
I'm a quite big fans of Blaze,
What We Do is HOT!!!
Filpside is a Pure Party Anthem!!!
Alright is Incredible too!
The one produce by Kanye West "Don't Cross The Line" is nice too!
but nearly All other songs I'm not into them!

All My Life got a agony sample,
On My Own is quite nice, whole thing sounds like a calm down version of "Roc The Mic" from State Property, but it's weaker!
and Unluckily, I don't like Nelly!
We Get Around....I don't like it!
Life, that song with Beanie Sigel.... Da*n!
The Beat sounds like a 80' Rock Band music.....

I'm disappointed...
many beats in here I don't like,
I expect many in Freeway Debut.....
Hope he will improve next time!

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.