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Freeway - Live Free or Die HardAlbum Review by:
Jason Fleurant
Monday, July 16, 2007
We haven’t heard from Philly’s high pitched MC for a minute. Last thing he dropped was the DJ Whoo Kid’s “G-Unit Radio 19” mixtape in which he starred in. Which was supposed to be the segway to his long awaited often delayed sophomore album “Free At Last”. Rumors been circulating that the Muslim MC has switch crews and joined the infamous G-Unit which isn’t the case. In fact what it is, is that Jay-Z and 50 Cent are co-executive producing the second round. Yet all that doesn’t matter at the moment cause Free is back. Taking advantage of the new Die Hard movie being out, he’s linked up with DJ Cannon to present us with a new mixtape “Live Free Or Die Hard”. And to jack Steven A. Smith “quite frankly” Free doesn’t disappoint.
Many will agree over the years Freeway’s voice has been an acquired taste to the listener. Extremely distinctive, nonetheless some fans have found it to be annoying. So taking heed from 50 Cent, Free has been giving it a deeper sound as he spits his psalms from his guts. On the mix’s opener Free teases the listeners waiting for the beat to drop on UGK’s “International Players” instrumental. Saying “risking my soul, risking religion” alluding to the fact that doing anything that takes up time from praising Allah is a no, no before he launches in full blast “best flower in the business/ ya’ll can shine when I’m finish/ I’m just prayin’, hopin’/ God forgive us/”. Free is accompanied by witty Jae Ellis who nice flow mixed with clever wordplay make him a standout. One such example as he says “Hippies how we flash the Peace (piece)”.
Freeway’s burning up radio stations with his LP’s Jay-Z assisted single “Big Spender”. Dame Grease freaks the sample with a roaring bass as Free and Hov go punch for punch literally flexing the Roc-A-Fella swagger. You notice that Jay must still be annoyed with the whole Jim Jones thing as he still throws shot his ways saying “Ballin’/ ya’ll still crawlin’/ children/ call him/ when you walkin’/ I’ll be wheelin’”. Just let it go already! While having the big homie on the single helps Free takes the time to address his doubters and detractors when he flips Fabolous hit “Make Me Better”. With an aggressive flow of anger Free rips through the track expressing that while having Shawn and Curtis (yes I did just want to refer to him as Curtis)on his side is an “added bonus”. It’s himself that’s the reason for Free’s dopeness.
Song’s like Freezer So Cold, Rocafella Family (done over the Grammy Family beat), and Life Of A Philly Gangsta produced by Chad West give Free an opportunity do to what he loves, just spit Freely (no pun intended). Of course every jumpoff’s got to have that highlight track that you just keep pressing rewind on. And that comes in the appearance of “You Don’t Know”. The mellow sample is just crazy, and Free is easily at his most comfortable “I’m up in the best class/ ya’ll can’t last/ Rumble In The Jungle/ I’m Ali/ in Zaire/ Mike Jackson, the Man In The Mirror/ Ya’ll queers/ cause your man in the mirror , won’t blast/ Ya’ll busted out of gas”. However it’s the full on assault by ghostwriter extraordinaire Mad Skillz that’s the focal point. From his opening lines of “I’m a be B.I.G like Pac/ with a Notorious theme/ All Eyes On Me/ til it was All A Dream” to his very last. Skillz magnificent wordplay matched wit the unyielding flow is a blessing to the ears. Freeway delivers a hot appetizer , but we are all just waiting for the main meal. Hopefully we won’t have to keep waiting too long.
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