Think Free is a homecoming for Freeway.
After making his Hip Hop mark as part of the 2000s Roc-A-Fella Records dynasty, Philly Freezer has reunited with JAY-Z at Roc Nation. With Freeway representing the Roc once again, it’s fitting that his new album takes listeners back to good ol’ days and feels like a throwback.
Although Think Free doesn’t boast the heavyweight lineup of producers from his debut (2003’s Philadelphia Freeway), the style harkens back to the State Property member’s breakthrough release. An array of soulful samples and hard-knocking street bangers make Freeway’s latest work feel like more of a proper sequel to his debut than the actual Philadelphia Freeway 2.
Instead of Just Blaze and Kanye West, Freeway can thank beatmakers such as DJ Skizz and S. Frank for providing the vintage flavor. Skizz is the real MVP of the album, providing the production for a three-track section midway into the LP that elicit the strongest performances.
The piano-anchored “Legacy” features one of the album’s best hooks and some touching reflections on Freeway’s slain friend The Jacka. The boom bap of “All Falls Down” is the backdrop for the veteran MC’s reflections on his kidney issues, revealing how the health scare has revealed fake friends in his periscope. And “Life On The Line” closes out the musical trinity in a strong fashion, with the honest rhymer putting his own spin on Common’s classic “I Used To Love H.E.R.” concept.
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The soul samples are truly a comfort zone for Freeway, allowing him to flex his rhyming prowess from the get-go on the unabating “Intro.” The deviations from this formula are a mixed bag, though they work early on for some high-quality collaborations.
Scholito’s minimalistic approach on “Blood Pressure” lets Freeway and Lil Wayne’s slick bars be the focal point. The triumphant horns of “The Nation” also strike the right chord for Philly Freezer’s jabs (“don’t make me Freemix your instrumental) and Jadakiss’ haymakers (“you violate me, I bring the Tommy back”).
Straying away from his strengths is when Freeway experiences the misfires, however. The most egregious is “Swagger On Mayo,” which sees him trying to fit the square peg of Lil Uzi Vert in a round hole of more conventional rapping. Instead of playing to Uzi’s strengths, the record tries to make him play Freeway’s game and fails in doing so.
“All The Way Live” is another downturn, attempting to conjure up a striking East Coast anthem in 2018 but only managing to create a generic joint in doing so. Its blandness is all the more glaring due to the sequencing, surrounding it with the vibrant “Cocaine White” featuring Fat Joe and “Real One,” which includes some towering vocals by BJ The Chicago Kid.
While the album does have its obvious miscues, they don’t hamper the multiple high points on Think Free. Philly Freezer’s reunion with the Roc is a success, resulting in his best work since 2010’s The Stimulus Package with Jake One. It’s difficult picturing him ever topping Philadelphia Freeway, but more projects like Think Free would rank in the top half of his discography.
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3.9 seriously? I thought it sounded seriously outdated… every 2 songs “we the new rothchilds”
Flow was sloppy, lyrics were dry- I was very disappointed
I disagree. He has had better albums since 2010. I liked DITR and Free Will more than this.
This. Totally true. Both those albums had better production. Maybe the one with Jacka too. “Life on the Line” was classic freeway though but the rest sounded bad
Yo I was at Club in Atlanta GA. Mario Bro. We were standing line so we decided to jump in the VIP line so we got to the front of the Club Philly Rapper Freeway was standing right their like security so after paying the VIP fee soon as we get in the Club we get put out for what reason but it was surreal seeing Freeway standings there I hopeing State Property Music & Clothing make a comeback after Philly won the Superbowl along with a Roc-Fella reunion tour to help boost the Hip Hop economy .
Life on line might be the best song he’s ever done
I don’t even think His debut was his best album honestly. it was pretty good with classic cuts but I feel Free At Last was his most consistent. All In All, he has a pretty good discography and this album adds to it. This album is pretty good once you get over what you think he should stick to and just enjoy the album
Woof…. You guys need to fix your reviews. Solid 3/5 but Freeway has rapped better and the beats sounds out of date. And even if it was 10 years ago the bears are just off.
This album got me nostalgic. Not freeways best album but glad he’s back, healthy and working. Free!
Think Free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All the Way Live is dope????
It is
It’s best part: … “Legacy” > “All Falls Down” > “Life on the Line” >”Cocaine White” … gives the feeling of the best of the end of the 90’s. It is a very solid album and mentioned part of it is 4.5. 3.9(9) is somehow fine but sounds a bit cheap. I would say 4.0!
This was a bar down from Free Will. I didn’t like it, it felt like he was trying to hard to be commercially relevant. 3.9 is a reach!
Fair
I definitely enjoyed hearing free again, I have a feeling this was just a warm up. Still a solid project
Project is consistent song after song. Freeway still has the fire
i enjoyed this album for what it was. It’s not a commercial album but it is solid. The type of joint you can kick back and ride out to. He stays true to his style and it holds up to the current standard of hip hop without selling out to the current state of hip hop