Free at Last
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 20, 2007
Genre
Length51:01
Label
Producer
Freeway chronology
Philadelphia Freeway
(2003)
Free at Last
(2007)
Philadelphia Freeway 2
(2009)
Singles from Free at last
  1. "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires"
    Released: July 10, 2007
  2. "Lights Get Low"
    Released: November 20, 2007

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

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

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

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[7]
AllHipHop.com[8]
Allmusic[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[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

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."This Can't Be Real" (feat. Marsha Ambrosius)3:44
2."It's Over"Jake One3:40
3."Still Got Love"Bink!3:45
4."Roc-A-Fella Billionaires" (feat. Jay-Z)Dame Grease3:41
5."When They Remember"Bink!3:43
6."Take It To The Top" (feat. 50 Cent)J. R. Rotem3:42
7."Spit That Shit"Dangerous LLC3:43
8."Reppin' The Streets"Chad "Wes" Hamilton3:59
9."Free at Last"Double-O3:38
10."Baby Don't Do It" (feat. Scarface)Chad "Wes" Hamilton3:27
11."Nuttin' On Me"Needlz2:55
12."Walk Wit Me" (feat. Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss)Don Cannon4:06
13."Lights Get Low" (feat. Rick Ross)Cool & Dre3:47
14."I Cry"DJ Noodles3:11
Total length:51:01

Singles

"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

This Can't Be Real

It's Over

  • "The Masquerade Is Over" by David Porter
  • vocals by Sean Michael from "Encore"

Still Got Love

Roc-A-Fella Billionaires

When They Remember

Reppin' The Streets

Free At Last

Baby Don't Do It

I Cry

Charts

References

  1. Kellman, Andy. "Free at Last - Freeway". Allmusic.
  2. 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.
  3. "What Happened Between Freeway and G-Unit?". DJ Vlad.
  4. Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 11/25/07 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
  5. Katie Hasty, "'Oprah' Visit Helps Groban Soar To No. 1", Billboard.com, November 28, 2007.
  6. Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 3/30/08 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
  7. About.com review
  8. AllHipHop.com review
  9. Allmusic review
  10. Entertainment Weekly review
  11. Pitchfork Media review
  12. Rolling Stone review
  13. Pop Matters review
  14. USA Today review Archived 2008-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  15. 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)
  16. "Freeway Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  17. "Freeway Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  18. "2008 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
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