Free at Last | ||||
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Released | November 20, 2007 | |||
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Length | 51:01 | |||
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Singles from Free at last | ||||
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Free at Last is the second studio album by rapper Freeway. It was released on November 20, 2007 by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings in the United States. The album enlists guest performances from Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Marsha Ambrosious, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, and Jadakiss.
In a November 2007 interview, Freeway explained why he took such a lengthy hiatus. [2] He had this to say:
I just been grinding you know the whole Roc break up really took a toll on me and kind of even held my career up a little bit, but I been working and I'm ready to get back out. It was a couple of things. The whole family structure wasn't in place like it was. There was a time when I could just go to Bassline [studios] and knock it out but it wasn't like that this time.
Free at Last features production from Bink!, J. R. Rotem, Needlz, and Cool & Dre, amongst others. Guest appearances include Marsha Ambrosius, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Scarface, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, and Rick Ross. According to Freeway, the album was executive-produced by 50 Cent—who also purchased publishing on the album—leading several publications to falsely conclude he was signed to G-Unit Records. [3]
Free at Last debuted at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 36,000 units during its first week. [4] [5] As of April 2, 2008, the album has sold 100,206 copies in the United States. [6]
"Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" is the lead single. The song, produced by Dame Grease, features a guest appearance from Roc-A-Fella label-boss and fellow American rapper Jay-Z. Grease's production contains a sample of a version of "Big Spender", originally written for the 1966 musical Sweet Charity , by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, as performed by Chita Rivera and Paula Kelly. [7]
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Source | Rating |
About.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AllHipHop.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B− [11] |
Pitchfork Media | (7.7/10) [12] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
PopMatters | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
USA Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Free at Last was called "The Album of the Month" by the German hip hop magazine Juice, aiming 5 of 6 "Crowns". In the 01-02 / 2008 Issue (# 104).
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "This Can't Be Real" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius) | Carvin & Ivan | 3:44 | |
2. | "It's Over" |
| Jake One | 3:40 |
3. | "Still Got Love" |
| Bink! | 3:45 |
4. | "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" (featuring Jay-Z) | Dame Grease | 3:41 | |
5. | "When They Remember" |
| Bink! | 3:43 |
6. | "Take It To The Top" (featuring 50 Cent) |
|
| 3:42 |
7. | "Spit That Shit" |
|
| 3:43 |
8. | "Reppin' The Streets" |
| Chad "Wes" Hamilton | 3:59 |
9. | "Free at Last" |
| Double-O | 3:38 |
10. | "Baby Don't Do It" (featuring Scarface) |
|
| 3:27 |
11. | "Nuttin' On Me" |
| Needlz | 2:55 |
12. | "Walk Wit Me" (featuring Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss) |
| Don Cannon | 4:06 |
13. | "Lights Get Low" (featuring Rick Ross) | Cool & Dre | 3:47 | |
14. | "I Cry" |
| DJ Noodles | 3:11 |
Total length: | 51:01 |
Sample credits
Weekly charts
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Leslie Edward Pridgen, better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he first gained recognition after appearing on Jay-Z's fifth album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia in 2000. The following year, he became a member of the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective State Property, which were signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. After releasing their debut album, Pridgen signed to Roc-A-Fella as a solo artist and began work on his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway (2003). Upon release, the album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical response. He released a follow-up, Free at Last (2007) to moderate reception before him and fellow State Property cohorts were dropped from the label.
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