Philadelphia Freeway

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Based on Freeway’s introduction to the rap world (a verse on "1-900-Hustler" from Jay-Z’s The Dynasty, where he provides a tutorial on how to deal drugs effectively), it’s a challenge not to think that he’s just another in a long line of "devout" MCs who debauch with the best of them. But few of the others rap with the same sense of urgency or have such a distinctively mesmerizing yet whiny vocal drone. On "Free," Freeway reminds us why we endured a full year of delays before this debut hit the streets, flipping schizophrenic flows over a pounding Just Blaze beat and an even catchier female vocal sample. You may love his off-kilter flow or you may hate it (think Ol’ Dirty Bastard), but you can't deny that Freeway has rhyme skills, especially on burners like "What We Do," his shady street-life redemption opus featuring thug adviser Beanie Sigel. His storytelling capabilities arguably rival that of his mentor Jay-Z on "Life," an open letter to a neighborhood homey who’s doing a lifetime bid. However, this Philly MC’s fixation on tales of dope peddling, prison, or street life may make it a bit too hustle-centric for some. --Dalton Higgins