| Free at Last | ||||
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| Released | November 20, 2007 | |||
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| Length | 51:01 | |||
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| Freeway chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Free at last | ||||
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Free at Last is the second studio album by Philadelphia 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 Ambrosius, 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 and peaked 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]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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" (featuring Kidz In The Hall) |
| 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
| Year-end charts
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