Leslie Edward Pridgen better known by his stage name
Freeway, is an American
rapperRapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
. Best known for his tenure on
Roc-A-Fella RecordsRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
and his affiliation with
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and
Beanie SigelDwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery (akin to that of
Ghostface KillahDennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
) and for the long beard he keeps due to his
MuslimIslam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
faith. His moniker is derived from the name of the infamous drug trafficker
"Freeway" Ricky RossRicky Donnell Ross , also known as "Freeway" Rick Ross, is a convicted drug trafficker best known for the "drug empire" that he presided over in Los Angeles, California, in the early-1980s...
. He was a member of the rap group Ice City, is a member of the rap group
State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
and recently signed to
Cash Money RecordsCash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
but only lasted one and a half years with the label. The record labels Freeway is now with are
Rhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
and
G-Unit PhillyG-Unit Records Philly is an independent record label that is a subsidiary of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. G-Unit artist, Tony Yayo was granted the positions of CEO and President of the label...
.
Leslie Edward Pridgen better known by his stage name
Freeway, is an American
rapperRapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
. Best known for his tenure on
Roc-A-Fella RecordsRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
and his affiliation with
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and
Beanie SigelDwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery (akin to that of
Ghostface KillahDennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
) and for the long beard he keeps due to his
MuslimIslam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
faith. His moniker is derived from the name of the infamous drug trafficker
"Freeway" Ricky RossRicky Donnell Ross , also known as "Freeway" Rick Ross, is a convicted drug trafficker best known for the "drug empire" that he presided over in Los Angeles, California, in the early-1980s...
. He was a member of the rap group Ice City, is a member of the rap group
State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
and recently signed to
Cash Money RecordsCash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
but only lasted one and a half years with the label. The record labels Freeway is now with are
Rhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
and
G-Unit PhillyG-Unit Records Philly is an independent record label that is a subsidiary of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. G-Unit artist, Tony Yayo was granted the positions of CEO and President of the label...
.
Early career
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 RecordsRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
, Sigel put in a word for Freeway, who made his first appearance on
The Dynasty: Roc La FamiliaSample credits*"Intro contains a sample of "She Said Loves Me" by Kleeer*"I Just Wanna Love U " contains elements and samples of "Give it To Me Baby" performed by Rick James, and "The World is Filled" by the Notorious B.I.G....
, on the track "1-900-Hustler" with Beanie, Jay-Z, and
Memphis BleekMalik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
. 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 BeatzKasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
and lost with a unanimous judges decision.
Philadelphia Freeway (2003)
On February 25, 2003, Freeway released his debut album,
Philadelphia FreewayPhiladelphia Freeway was the debut album from Philadelphia rapper Freeway. It was released under Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The most successful single was "What We Do" which featured Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. Another single that was released was "Flipside" which featured Peedi Crakk...
. The album was produced primarily by Roc-A-Fella-affiliated beatsmiths
Just BlazeJustin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
, Bink!, and
Kanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
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 PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
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, 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.
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 SigelDwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
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. 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. 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, with Freeway playing a major mentoring role. Their debut album,
Welcome to the Hood, was released under Sure Shot Recordings, but received little attention. Subsequently, groupmember Hydro released a mixtape dissing Freeway, distancing himself and the group from its founder.
Free At Last & Career After Roc-A-Fella (2007-2008)
In response to his crisis of faith, Freeway went on hiatus for a few years, making his
HajjThe Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
, a journey to the holy city of
MeccaMecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
, 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 LastFree at Last is the second studio album by rapper Freeway. It was released on November 20, 2007 in the United States. The album features production from J. R. Rotem, Needlz, and Cool & Dre, among others. Guest appearances include Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Jadakiss and other notable rappers.-Background:In a...
, which was released on November 20, 2007.
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and
50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
were both set to co-executive produce the album; while both were featured, the project ended up solely a Roc-A-Fella release, with 50 giving up his co-executive producer's role. 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 RossRick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
and Dre of the production team
Cool & DreCool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
. 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. 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. The album eventually sold over 100,000. In 2008, Freeway initiated what he called the Month of Madness, releasing a song a day for the month of December. The songs, featuring input from Phoe Notes,
Erick SermonErick Sermon , in Bay Shore, New York is an American rapper, musician, and producer.Sermon is best known as half of late-1980s/1990s hip hop group EPMD and for production work. He currently resides in Islandia, New York.- Career :...
,
Don CannonDonald Cannon is an American record producer and DJ. At the age of five, Donald Cannon began his musical career with his first a set of turntables, a mixer and a karaoke machine...
,
CardiakCarl McCormick, better known as Cardiak, is a music producer from Willingboro, New Jersey. He embarked on the music industry in 2008, and is best known for working with urban music artists such as Ace Hood, Joe Budden, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Freeway , DJ Khaled, Rick Ross , Trina, Red Cafe, Lil...
,
Jake OneJacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
, Oddisee and others, were later compiled into a mixtape. 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. Shortly, the rapper announced his release from Def Jam and that his next album would be entitled
The Stimulus Package, produced by Jake One and released by
Rhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
.
The Stimulus Package will be released February 16, 2010.
Philadelphia Freeway 2, Signing Rhymesayers Entertainment & Cash Money(2009)
A project entitled
Philadelphia Freeway 2Philadelphia Freeway 2 is the third studio album from rapper Freeway.Finally Free is the first single from the album.-Background:Philadelphia Freeway 2 was thought to be released on Roc-A-Fella, but was released on Real Talk Ent. Freeway is no longer an artist on Roc-A-Fella...
hit stores in 2009. The first single, "Finally Free," was released on iTunes on April 14, 2009.
Philadelphia Freeway 2Philadelphia Freeway 2 is the third studio album from rapper Freeway.Finally Free is the first single from the album.-Background:Philadelphia Freeway 2 was thought to be released on Roc-A-Fella, but was released on Real Talk Ent. Freeway is no longer an artist on Roc-A-Fella...
was released under the independent label Real Talk Ent. on May 19, 2009.
On March 19, 2009 while performing at the
Rhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
Label Showcase at SXSW, Freeway officially announced his signing with Rhymesayers and collaboration on his new album with veteran producer
Jake OneJacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
. 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 RecordsCash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
, 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 WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
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."
Diamond In the Ruff (2010-present)
On a video with KarmaloopTV Freeway announced a new clothing line in the works entitled "Freestyle". In addition to the new clothing line Free also announced an upcoming album called "Diamond In the Ruff" which will feature a single produced by
Jake OneJacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
called "Beautiful Music" other producers on the album are
Just BlazeJustin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
, Freeway explained in the interview that the album should have come after
Philadelphia FreewayPhiladelphia Freeway was the debut album from Philadelphia rapper Freeway. It was released under Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The most successful single was "What We Do" which featured Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. Another single that was released was "Flipside" which featured Peedi Crakk...
. 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 available : "Beautiful Music" and "Escalators" produced by
Jake OneJacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
. Also in 2010 freeway signed a deal with
G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
's extent label
G-Unit PhillyG-Unit Records Philly is an independent record label that is a subsidiary of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. G-Unit artist, Tony Yayo was granted the positions of CEO and President of the label...
run by rapper
Tony YayoMarvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
.
Freeway recorded an EP with
Statik SelektahPatrick Baril better known as Statik Selektah, is an East Coast-based DJ, Producer and CEO of Showoff Records.-Biography:...
which was completed in 24 hours. It was called the Statik-Free EP and was released on
iTunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
January 11, 2011.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2003: Philadelphia Freeway
Philadelphia Freeway was the debut album from Philadelphia rapper Freeway. It was released under Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The most successful single was "What We Do" which featured Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. Another single that was released was "Flipside" which featured Peedi Crakk...
- 2007: Free At Last
Free at Last is the second studio album by rapper Freeway. It was released on November 20, 2007 in the United States. The album features production from J. R. Rotem, Needlz, and Cool & Dre, among others. Guest appearances include Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Jadakiss and other notable rappers.-Background:In a...
- 2009: Philadelphia Freeway 2
Philadelphia Freeway 2 is the third studio album from rapper Freeway.Finally Free is the first single from the album.-Background:Philadelphia Freeway 2 was thought to be released on Roc-A-Fella, but was released on Real Talk Ent. Freeway is no longer an artist on Roc-A-Fella...
- TBA: Diamond In the Ruff
Collaboration albums
- 2002: State Property OST
State Property is the soundtrack to the 2002 film, State Property, and the debut album by the rap group, State Property. The album was a success, making it to 14 on the Billboard 200, 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and 2 on the Top Soundtracks, and spawned one single "Roc the Mic", which was a...
(with State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
)
- 2003: The Chain Gang Vol. 2
The Chain Gang Vol. 2 is the second album by rap group State Property. It was released in 2003. Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for the 2003 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award.The album sold 296,000 units...
(with State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
)
- 2010: The Stimulus Package
The Stimulus Package is a collaboration album from rapper Freeway and producer Jake One. It is Freeway's fourth studio album and Jake One's second album. It was released on independent hip-hop label Rhymesayers. The album debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, selling over 9,000 units in its...
(with Jake OneJacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
)
- 2010: The Roc Boys
The Roc Boys is a collaboration album by State Property members Beanie Sigel and Freeway.-Guest Appearances:Many of the appearances come from Young Chris and other State Property members...
(with Beanie SigelDwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
)
EP albums
- 2011: Statik-Free EP (with Statik Selektah
Patrick Baril better known as Statik Selektah, is an East Coast-based DJ, Producer and CEO of Showoff Records.-Biography:...
)
Compilation albums
- 2009: This Is My Life
- 2009: Streetz Is Mine
External links