Free at Last | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 20, 2007 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 51:01 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Freeway chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Free at last | ||||
|
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 recent interview, Freeway stated 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 journalists to conclude he was signed to G-Unit Records, which was not true. [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]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
About.com | [7] |
AllHipHop.com | [8] |
Allmusic | [9] |
Entertainment Weekly | B− [10] |
Pitchfork Media | (7.7/10) [11] |
Rolling Stone | [12] |
PopMatters | [13] |
USA Today | [14] |
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 | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "This Can't Be Real" (feat. Marsha Ambrosius) | 3:44 | |
2. | "It's Over" | Jake One | 3:40 |
3. | "Still Got Love" | Bink! | 3:45 |
4. | "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" (feat. Jay-Z) | Dame Grease | 3:41 |
5. | "When They Remember" | Bink! | 3:43 |
6. | "Take It To The Top" (feat. 50 Cent) | J. R. Rotem | 3:42 |
7. | "Spit That Shit" | Dangerous LLC | 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" (feat. Scarface) | Chad "Wes" Hamilton | 3:27 |
11. | "Nuttin' On Me" | Needlz | 2:55 |
12. | "Walk Wit Me" (feat. Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss) | Don Cannon | 4:06 |
13. | "Lights Get Low" (feat. Rick Ross) | Cool & Dre | 3:47 |
14. | "I Cry" | DJ Noodles | 3:11 |
Total length: | 51:01 |
"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. [15]
This Can't Be Real
It's Over
Still Got Love
Roc-A-Fella Billionaires
When They Remember
Reppin' The Streets
Free At Last
Baby Don't Do It
I Cry
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Leslie Edward Pridgen, better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper 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 would sign to Roc-A-Fella as a solo artist and subsequently begin work on his solo debut, Philadelphia Freeway (2003). Upon release, the album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical response. He would release a follow-up, Free at Last (2007) to moderate reception before him and fellow State Property cohorts were dropped from the label.
Jason Terrance Phillips, known professionally as Jadakiss, is an American rapper from Yonkers, New York. He began his career in the 1990s as a member of the rap trio The Lox, managed by Ruff Ryders and signed with Bad Boy. After leaving the label in 1999, they signed a joint venture deal between Interscope Records and Ruff Ryders. He is currently signed to Def Jam, Roc Nation, and D-Block.
Roc-A-Fella Records was an American hip hop record label and music management company founded by record executives and entrepreneurs Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in 1994. The former issued his debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996) as the label's first release, in a joint venture with Priority Records. The label has since signed and released albums for acts including Kanye West, Cam'ron, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Juelz Santana, Freeway, Jadakiss, Teairra Marí, State Property, and The Diplomats before its dissolution in 2013.
M.O.P. is an American hip hop duo composed of East Coast rappers Billy Danze and Lil' Fame. The song "Ante Up", was released on their Warriorz album in 2000. The group has frequently collaborated with DJ Premier. Fame sometimes produces under the moniker Fizzy Womack and has produced a significant number of tracks on all M.O.P. releases since 1996's Firing Squad, as well as work for other artists including Kool G Rap, Teflon and Wu-Tang Clan.
Dwight Equan Grant, better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He first became known for his association with Jay-Z, as he became a flagship artist for his now-defunct label imprint, Roc-A-Fella Records. Through the label, Grant released his debut studio album, The Truth in February 2000 to critical and commercial success.
The Dynasty: Roc-La-Familia is the fifth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, featuring prominent appearances from signees of Roc-A-Fella Records. It was released on October 31, 2000, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Its lead single, "I Just Wanna Love U ", produced by the Neptunes, became one of Jay-Z's most successful singles peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, with 557,789 copies sold in its first week. The album is certified double platinum by the RIAA. The album received positive reviews from critics, and became the 20th highest-selling R&B/Hip-Hop album of the 2000–2010 decade according to Billboard.
Pedro Louis Zayas, known as Peedi Crakk and Peedi Peedi, is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent. He is a member of State Property and is currently signed to Amalgam Digital and G-Unit Philly.
The B. Coming is the third studio album by American rapper Beanie Sigel. Originally scheduled for an October 2004 release, the album was ultimately released on March 29, 2005 through Dame Dash Music Group and Def Jam Recordings.
534 is the fourth studio album by rapper Memphis Bleek. It was released by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings on May 17, 2005. The album was executive produced Bleek's mentor and childhood friend Jay-Z, who also recorded the song "Dear Summer" for the album. Other guests include Young Gunz, M.O.P., and Rihanna, whose appearance on the song "The One" was the major label debut.
Christopher Francis Ries, known professionally as Young Chris, is an American rapper. He rose to fame as one-half of the Philadelphia-based hip hop duo Young Gunz alongside rapper Neef Buck, which themselves were also apart of Philadelphia hip hop group State Property; both acts that were signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s.
American Gangster is the tenth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was conceived as a concept album—inspired by the 2007 film of the same name—and was released on November 6 of that year through Roc-A-Fella Records. The album features production from Diddy & the Hitmen, Just Blaze, and the Neptunes, among others. It also includes guest appearances by Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, and Nas. The album's production is built around 1970s soul and funk, with instruments featured on the album played by professional musicians including, horns, string arrangements, drummers, and unconventional percussion created with bottles. The album's theme is based around the gangster lifestyle, the American Dream, and Jay-Z's memories of growing up in Brooklyn, New York's Marcy.
"Roc Boys ..." is the second single from Jay-Z's tenth studio album, American Gangster. The song is produced by Skyz Muzik, Diddy and two of his producers known as LV and Sean C from his production team, The Hitmen. It features additional vocals by Beyoncé, Kanye West and Cassie. The song samples "Make the Road by Walking" by The Menahan Street Band. On December 11, 2007, Rolling Stone named it the best song of 2007.
The Last Kiss is the third studio album by American rapper Jadakiss. The album was released on April 7, 2009, on D-Block, Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam, after numerous delays. The album features guest appearances from Faith Evans, Swizz Beatz, Bobby V, Pharrell Williams, OJ da Juiceman, Sheek Louch, Mary J. Blige, Styles P, Ghostface Killah, Ne-Yo, Raekwon, Young Jeezy, D-Block, U.S.D.A., Lil Wayne, & Avery Storm. Production on the album is handled by The Alchemist, Buckwild, Swizz Beatz, Neo da Matrix, The Neptunes, Baby Grand, Eric Hudson, Needlz, Sean C & LV.
Leonard Carl Grant, better known by his stage name Uncle Murda, is an American rapper from East New York, Brooklyn. He signed to 50 Cent's G-Unit Records in 2016, having been previously signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records in 2007. He is known for his annual retrospective "Rap Up" song series, which lyrically documents major events in hip hop, beginning in 2014.
This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2009.
"Get By" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Talib Kweli. It was released on March 11, 2003 as the third single from his debut studio album Quality (2002). The hip hop song, produced by Kanye West, samples "Sinnerman" as performed by Nina Simone and features background vocals from Abby Dobson, Chinua Hawk, Kendra Ross, Vernetta Bobien, and William "Na2" Taylor. The song peaked at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Kweli's most successful solo hit.
Tyrone Gregory Fyffe, also known as Sugarless, is an American record producer from Queens, New York City. During his career he produced tracks for MC Lyte, Foxy Brown, Slick Rick, Ja Rule, Canibus, Jayo Felony, Queen Pen, Cam'ron, 54th Platoon and Royce da 5'9", remixed songs for LL Cool J, The Party, Royal Flush, Robin Thicke and Nas, and collaborated with Teddy Riley, Erick Sermon, Irv Gotti and Dr. Dre.
Philadelphia Freeway 2 is the third studio album from rapper Freeway. Finally Free is the first single from the album.
Paid in Full is the soundtrack album to the 2002 film, Paid in Full. It was released on October 25, 2002, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The soundtrack was released on two compact discs. The first disc was a collection of old school hip hop and R&B songs, while the second was a collection of new songs recorded by Roc-A-Fella. The album peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200, number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 2 on the Top Soundtracks chart.
Top 5 Dead or Alive is the fourth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Jadakiss. The album was released on November 20, 2015, by D-Block Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from Akon, Future, Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Nas, Nipsey Hussle, Styles P, Puff Daddy, Sheek Louch, Swizz Beatz, Young Adz and Young Buck.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)