Promoting his upcoming fifth studio project, Free Will, Freeway has become very open about his extremely turbulent 2015. The former Roc-A-Fella artist was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery last year after being diagnosed with kidney failure. Since then, the Philly emcee has been on the right track and living a healthier lifestyle. He’s also been putting in double the work in the booth, which was noticeable earlier this year with the Fear of a Free Planet mixtape.
The first single from Free Will, “Hot As Ice,” is further proof of his damn-near superhuman lyrical ability. However, Freeway has also spent the past several months involved in more notable efforts from supporting Bernie Sanders to working with Justice League NYC.
Speaking with DX, Freeway gives his reason for supporting the Vermont Senators’ Democratic primary run, explains the meaning behind his Free Will album and discusses the sequel to his Jake One collaborative project The Stimulus Package.
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Lending Support To Bernie Sanders
“I definitely want him to win. The reason why I want him to win is because he addresses issues that directly affect people that I see. He’s addressing real issues like healthcare and you know why I feel so strongly about that in regards to my health situation. Healthcare is definitely important to me. He addresses racial injustice and I’ve been doing a lot with The New York Justice League. I just did a march with them in D.C. I marched with them in Baltimore and went to Freddie Gray’s hood talking to his people. I did some town hall meetings out there. I had two cousins who were killed by police in Philadelphia. Racial injustice was definitely a talking point as well as education with what he’s trying to do for HBCUs and education at the lowest price possible is great. We need that man.”
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Freeway Explains The Importance Of Healthcare
“I was in the same situation as [Lil Boosie]. Before I had healthcare and kidney failure, in 2012, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes and I was paying it all out of my pocket. I was paying $500 to $600 dollars a month. Not to mention doctors appointments and stuff like that, so it’s important to have health insurance.”
Watching Beanie Sigel Recover From Shooting
“It was hard watching Beanie go through that because that’s my brother and I love him. I was there during the whole thing. As soon as I found out he was shot, I went to the hospital and lent my support. I was there trying to encourage him so he could get better. We’re Muslims, so if anything happens to any of your Muslims brothers, you’re supposed to be there regardless. That’s what I did to the best of my abilities. He knows that I love him because of my belief in Allah and not just this rap shit.
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Thoughts On Donald Trump & Islamophobia
“I think anybody who slanders Islam or says anything negative about Islam doesn’t have a good understanding of Islam. In any group, it’s going to be something negative that comes out of it. Even with Christians, they have the KKK. You have hate groups in any organization. You can’t judge a whole group of people based on a small number of people who are radical. Islam is a peaceful religion. I’ve been in it since I was young. I’ve travelled the world, been to Saudi Arabia two times and have great relationships with some of the princes. Last time I was in Saudi Arabia, I was a guest of the king. They’re a beautiful people. I’ll give you a personal example. Ask anyone about me in regards to my mannerisms and how I treat people. All those are characteristics of a good Muslim. That’s the reason why I’m like that. It hasn’t nothing else to do with it besides Islam. The best thing I can do is be that example which is what every Muslim should do.”
Getting Back To Music
“It wasn’t hard getting back to music. My new album [is] Free Will. [I released the] Fear of a Free Planet mixtape in January where I touched basis on everything going on with my health. I was probably in the hospital for about week and as soon as I got out, I was sitting around in the crib. I would put on a beat and start zoning out. It didn’t really affect my creative process. If anything, it made me go harder. Just me surviving this and pulling through this is motivation for me. It’s like a second chance at life. I’m taking nothing for granted and taking every opportunity to be better than who I am right now.”
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“I Feel Lyrically Untouchable Right Now”
“As a lyricist, I feel on top of my game now. Every time I come out of the studio, I come out with something crazy. I have a new production team. Me, S Frank and Scholitos started a company called The New Rothschilds. We have just been zoning. I have so much material done besides Free Will that we’re just stacked up. We just keep going in and coming up with great material. I feel lyrically untouchable right now.
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“The reason why I named this album Free Will is that we are the only one of God’s creation that has free will. We got the choice to do right or do wrong, sit around and be lazy or go get and worship God or not worship God. We got the choice. That’s why on the day of judgement, we’re the only ones who get judged by God. That’s where I was at when I went into the album. I was embracing my free will to be a great artist when I created that. The album definitely reflects that. I guarantee you nobody is going to skip a song. They’re going to play it from end-to-end.”
The Stimulus Package Sequel With Jake One
“We’re definitely going in to start something probably sometime this year. We’re going to start cooking up something for y’all. We already got a couple of records done. We just got to zone out and make it happen. The headspace I was in when I made The Stimulus Package was not me trying to find myself, but trying to establish myself as an artist who can do this without the major backing. The Roc-A-Fella thing was over and I was trying any little thing to stay relevant by feeding fans with material. Me and Jake One worked together on a joint from Free At Last and I liked the sound. Jake One started sending me more beats like, ‘Let’s do an album together’ and it ended up being fire. I recorded a majority of it in Philly. Then I went out to Seattle for a week and wrapped everything up. The rest was history. Shout out to Rhymesayers. That was a great label to deal with and I still have a great relationship with them. They really care about their projects.”
