Freeway | |
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&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Freewayj.png) Freeway in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leslie Edward Pridgen |
| Born | August 6, 1978 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1999–present |
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| Member of | |
Leslie Edward Pridgen (born August 6, 1978), better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he first gained recognition after appearing on Jay-Z's fifth album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia in 2000. The following year, he became a member of the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective State Property, which were signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. After releasing their debut album, Pridgen signed to Roc-A-Fella as a solo artist and began work on his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway (2003). Upon release, the album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical response. He released a follow-up, Free at Last (2007) to moderate reception before him and fellow State Property cohorts were dropped from the label.[1][2]
In 2009, Pridgen was briefly signed to Cash Money Records, although his next three albums: Philadelphia Freeway 2 (2009), Diamond in the Ruff (2012), and Free Will (2016) were released independently.[3] He returned to work with Jay-Z in 2018, signing to his successor label Roc Nation to release his sixth album, Think Free in June of that year.[4]
- ^ "What Happened to Freeway?". MTV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023.
- ^ Centeno, Tony (February 7, 2018). "Freeway Heads Back Into The Streets Of Philly In "Devils & Angels" (Video)". Vibe. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ "Weezy Pushed Again, Freeway Signs To Cash Money | Lil Wayne". Rap Basement. June 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ^ Ivey, Justin (July 3, 2018). "Review: Freeway's "Think Free" Harks Back To The Roc's Glory Days". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved July 27, 2018.