Free at Last (Freeway album)
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| Free at Last | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 20, 2007 | |||
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| Length | 51:01 | |||
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| Singles from Free at last | ||||
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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.
Background[edit]
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.
Production[edit]
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]
Commercial performance[edit]
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]
Critical reception[edit]
| 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).
Track listing[edit]
| 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 | ||
Singles[edit]
"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]
Sample credits[edit]
This Can't Be Real
- "Did You Hear What They Said?" by Gil Scott-Heron
It's Over
- "The Masquerade Is Over" by David Porter
- vocals by Sean Michael from "Encore"
Still Got Love
- "Keep On Keeping On" by Curtis Mayfield
Roc-A-Fella Billionaires
- "Hey Big Spender" by Shirley Bassey
When They Remember
- "The Way We Were" by Gladys Knight & the Pips
Reppin' The Streets
- "Ill Be the Other Woman" by Soul Children
Free At Last
- "I Want To Write You a Love Song" by David Oliver
Baby Don't Do It
- "Overture of Foxy Brown" by Willie Hutch
I Cry
- "I Cry" by Millie Jackson
Charts[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
References[edit]
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Free at Last - Freeway". Allmusic.
- ^ Thought, Lyrical (17 November 2007). "[News] Freeway Talks About His New Album 'Free At Last'". Def Sounds. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2007.
- ^ "What Happened Between Freeway and G-Unit?". DJ Vlad.
- ^ Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 11/25/07 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
- ^ Katie Hasty, "'Oprah' Visit Helps Groban Soar To No. 1", Billboard.com, November 28, 2007.
- ^ Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/30/08 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
- ^ About.com review
- ^ AllHipHop.com review
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ Pitchfork Media review
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Pop Matters review
- ^ USA Today review Archived 2008-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Free at Last (Liner notes). Freeway. Def Jam Recordings. 2007. B0004853-02.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Freeway Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Freeway Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "2008 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.