Freeway

A reformed drug dealer out of Philadelphia, Freeway debuted on the track "1-900-Hustler," from Jay-Z's compilation-style album The Dynasty. His Roc-A-Fella connection came through Beanie Sigel, who had befriended Freeway when the two free-styled together at a Philly club. Since then, he's appeared on a grip of NYC mix tapes, DJ albums from Funkmaster Flex and DJ Clue, and Beanie's second LP The Reason. Characterized by his unusual, somewhat squeaky voice, Freeway leapt into the spotlight in 2002, thanks to his turn on State Property's hugely popular posse-cut single "Roc The Mic," (the remix of which was featured on Nelly's multi-platinum sophomore record,Nellyville). Freeway's growing legion of fans eagerly awaited his solo LP Philadelphia Freeway.