Leslie Edward Pridgen (born on July 8, 1979), better known by his
stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure
on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie
Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery (akin to that
of Ghostface Killah) and for the long beard he keeps due to his
Muslim faith. His moniker is derived from the name of the infamous
drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross. He was a member
of the rap group Ice City, is a member of the rap group State Property[2]
and recently signed to Cash Money Records but only lasted one and
a half years with the label.[3][4] The only record label Freeway's
with now is Rhymesayers Entertainment and G-Unit Philly.
Born Leslie Pridgen, Freeway began his career by participating in
freestyle battles in his high school and met fellow Philadelphia
native Beanie Sigel while rapping on stage at a hometown nightclub.
Not long after being signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, Sigel put in
a word for Freeway, who made his first appearance on The Dynasty:
Roc La Familia, on the track "1-900-Hustler" with Beanie,
Jay-Z, Eric Pletcher and Memphis Bleek. After the appearance, Jay-Z
signed him to a deal; he was featured on "Think it's a Game," also
alongside Jay-Z, on Beanie's second album The Reason. In 2001, he
underwent a notorious freestyle battle with then-unsigned rapper
Cassidy, hosted by Swizz Beatz and lost with a unanimous judges decision.[citation
needed]
[edit] Philadelphia Freeway (2003)
On February 25, 2003, Freeway released his debut album, Philadelphia
Freeway. The album was produced primarily by Roc-A-Fella-affiliated
beatsmiths Just Blaze, Bink!, and Kanye West and featured a large
number of Roc-A-Fella rappers. Many of them also hailed from Philadelphia,
and were soon compiled into the group State Property led by Freeway
and Beanie Sigel. The album had two singles, the biggest hits of
Freeway's career thus far: "What We Do," Featuring Jay-Z
and Beanie Sigel, for which a video was released showcasing most
of the Roc's roster at the time,[5] and "Flipside", featuring
State Property member Peedi Crakk; both records were produced by
Just Blaze. The album also reached gold sales of over 500,000 units.[6]
[edit] State Property Problems, Ice City & 2nd Album (2004-2006)
After Jay-Z's "retirement" album and the uncertainty over
what direction the label was headed, Beanie Sigel was convicted and
jailed on a charge of attempted murder. Relations between Beanie
Sigel and State Property soured after the incarceration of Sigel,
and State Property essentially broke up, with Sigel stating he was
unsure he would work with them again.[7] Over the next few years,
members of the group—most notably Freeway and Sigel themselves—slowly
began collaborating once again, though members such as Oschino and
Peedi Crakk fell out of the loop. During this time, with his crew
and label in turmoil, Freeway had a spiritual crisis that almost
caused him to leave the rap game altogether for his Muslim faith.[8]
With uncertainty in the air, Freeway put together another Philadelphia-based
crew called Ice City, named after their neighborhood North Philly.
While active, the group consisted of Face Money, Bars and Hydro,[9]
with Freeway playing a major mentoring role. Their debut album, Welcome
to the Hood, was released under Sure Shot Recordings, but received
little attention.[6] Subsequently, groupmember Hydro released a mixtape
dissing Freeway, distancing himself and the group from its founder.[10]
[edit] Free At Last & Career After Roc-A-Fella (2007-2008)
Freeway performing in Wilmington, Delaware in July 2008.
In response to his crisis of faith, Freeway went on hiatus for a
few years, making his Hajj, a journey to the holy city of Mecca,
required by every Muslim at least once in his or her lifetime if
they are able. Upon his return, Freeway recorded his second album
Free at Last, which was released on November 20, 2007.[11] Jay-Z
and 50 Cent were both set to co-executive produce the album;[12]
while both were featured, the project ended up solely a Roc-A-Fella
release, with 50 giving up his co-executive producer's role.[13]
The first single was "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires", featuring
Jay-Z, which leaked to the internet; the second single, and first
official single, was "Lights Get Low" featuring Rick Ross
and Dre of the production team Cool & Dre. As the album featured
no production from either Kanye West or Just Blaze, who together
produced the lion's share of his debut, Freeway lashed out at them
in his lyrics, generating rumors that he and his former producers
had unresolved differences.[14] After the album's release, Freeway
went on record to clarify his comments, saying he had no real animosity
towards them and that he had only been speaking his mind.[15] The
album eventually sold over 100,000.[16] In 2008, Freeway initiated
what he called the Month of Madness, releasing a song a day for the
month of December.[17] The songs, featuring input from Phoe Notes,
Erick Sermon, Don Cannon, Cardiak, Jake One, Oddisee and others,
were later compiled into a mixtape.[18] 2009 brought an announcement
that he would be working on his third album amidst his regrets over
hearing Jay-Z had stepped down as Def Jam president.[19] Shortly,
the rapper announced his release from Def Jam and that his next album
would be entitled The Stimulus Package, produced by Jake One[20]
and released by Rhymesayers Entertainment. The Stimulus Package will
be released February 16, 2010.
[edit] Philadelphia Freeway 2, Signing Rhymesayers Entertainment & Cash
Money(2009)
A project entitled Philadelphia Freeway 2 hit stores in 2009. The
first single, "Finally Free," was released on iTunes on
April 14, 2009. Philadelphia Freeway 2 was released under the independent
label Real Talk Ent.[21] on May 19, 2009. On March 19, 2009 while
performing at the Rhymesayers Entertainment Label Showcase at SXSW,
Freeway officially announced his signing with Rhymesayers and collaboration
on his new album with veteran producer Jake One. Freeway released
his mixtape "The Beat Made Me Do It" on November 13, 2009
which featured production by Jake One with assistance by Don Cannon
to officially announce his 2010 Rhymesayers debut album "The
Stimulus Package". On December 1, 2009 Rhymesayers and Freeway
leaked the first official track and video, "Know What I Mean" off
of "The Stimulus Package". In June 2009, Freeway confirmed
a deal with Cash Money Records, and the start of his own label, Free
Money. Since this time he has put out a few Mixtape tracks speaking
of the new deal, including "Touchdown" & "All
Night Long". Freeway, speaking on his new label deal and relationship
with Jay-Z.
"I been fucking with Cash Money," he said in an interview. "You
know, me and Wayne did a joint for the last album, but we couldn't
get the shit cleared in time and all that. We just throwing around
some ideas. And I'm launching a label, Free Money, so what better
home for it...My man Ceelo, he worked with Baby, so he really basically
connected us like that. But, right now everything is still in preliminary...It's
still Roc-A-Fella for life. That's something that's not going to
leave me...Everything still preliminary. Jay give me his blessing
with whatever I want to do. Jay want to see niggas making moves."
[22]
[edit] Diamond in the Ruff (2010-present)
On a video with KarmaloopTV Freeway announced a new clothing line
in the works entitled "Freestyle".[23] In adittion to the
new clothing line Free also announced an upcoming album called "Diamond
in the Rough" which will feature a single produced by Jake One
called "Beautiful Music" other producers on the album are
Just Blaze, Freeway explained in the interview that the album should
have come after Philadelphia Freeway.[24] Freeway's according to
interview that "Diamond in the Rough" will be in Stores
30 November and features production from Just Blaze, and collaborations
with Rick Ross and Black Thought. For the moment, two song are avaivable
: "Beautiful Music" and "Escalators" produced
by Jake One.[25] Also in 2010 freeway signed a deal with G-Unit Records's
extent label G-Unit Philly run by rapper Tony Yayo.
Freeway recorded an EP with Statik Selektah which was completed
in 24 hours. It was called the Statik-Free EP and was released on
iTunes January 11, 2011. [26]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Freeway discography
[edit] Official studio albums
* Philadelphia Freeway (2003)
* Free At Last (2007)
* Philadelphia Freeway 2 (2009)
[edit] Official collaboration albums
* State Property OST (with State Property) (2002)
* The Chain Gang Vol. 2 (with State Property) (2003)
* The Stimulus Package (with Jake One) (2010)
* The Roc Boys (with Beanie Sigel) (2010)
* Statik-Free EP (with Statik Selektah) (2011)
[edit] Compilations
* This Is My Life (2009)
* Streetz Is Mine (2009)