MP3/Video: Freeway – "True" Ft. Wale + FADER TV Interview
11.27.2012
Diamond In The Ruff Out Now; New Single Produced By Jake One & DJ Khalil
The Song/Video:
Freeway is excited to announce the release of his newest album, Diamond In the Ruff, out now via Babygrande Records. The highly anticipated album features appearances from Wale, Marsha Ambrosius, Vivian Green, Neef, and more as well as production by Just Blaze, Jake One, Bink!, Needlz, and others.
To accompany today's album release, Freeway is releasing the album's latest single, "True." The song, premiered by FADER, which features Maybach Music Group rapper Wale, and is produced by Jake One and DJ Khalil, is built around the two producers' lush instrumentation and crisp drums, falling easily behind the chorus' crooned vocals, "Behind every strong man is a woman." Free and Wale stick to the script, trading bars throughout about the objects of their desire. "Wendy's drive-through/ She got me open nights," raps Freeway. "Know how to work the mic/ Plus she ride, too."
On a recent trip to New York, Freeway stopped by FADER, and, in-between taking time to showoff The Things He Carries, he sat down for a video interview with FADER TV. In the interview, Freeway spoke about his break from music, his faith, his typical day, and being a good role model for his kids. On naming his new album, he says "The reason I chose the title Diamond In The Rough is because I feel my career is similar to a diamond - what a diamond has to go through to get the final clarity - that's how my career has been," says Freeway. "I started my way from the bottom and worked my way to where I am now."
Tracklist for Diamond In The Ruff:
1. Right Back (featuring Marsha Ambrosius)
2. Greatness (featuring Vivian Green)
3. The Thirst
4. Wonder Tape (featuring Suzann Christine)
5. No Doubt
6. Dream Big (featuring Musiq Soulchild)
7. Early
8. Ghetto Streets
9. Numbers (featuring Neef Buck)
10. True (featuring Wale)
11. Sweet Temptations (featuring Nikki Jean)
12. All The Hoods (featuring Miss Daja Thomas & Alonda Rich)
13. Hottest Akhi
14. Jungle
15. Money Is My Medicine
16. Lil Mama
Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with Freeway.
The Background:
For over a decade, Freeway has been Philadelphia's mouthpiece in chronicling the city's balance of blue-collar work ethics and vigilant street-corner credos within one of the world's most diverse and storied backdrops. The local favorite was mentored under the careful and critical eye of Beanie Sigel,ultimately winning the praise and endorsement of Jay-Z -- and a record deal with Roc-A-Fella Records. After standout features on Beanie Sigel’s “Think It’s A Game” and Jay-Z’s “1-900-HUSTLER” posse cut, Free was a critical role-player within State Property’s debut album, namely on Philadelphia classic “Roc Da Mic.” Freeway followed shortly after with the 2003 release of his now-classic debut album, Philadelphia Freeway, featuring involvement from Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Mariah Carey yielded the timeless outcry, “What We Do” with Free’s mentors Jay and Beans. After Free's label home, Roc-A-Fella, split up, Free released his second solo album, Free At Last, and followed that album with Stimulus Package, released via Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2010, an album produced entirely by Jake One, created from a relationship forged during the making of Free At Last. After three years of being a dedicated father, working within his community, and touring, Freeway prepares his fourth studio album, Diamond In The Ruff. Reunited with the sounds of Just Blaze, Bink!, as well as a heavy hand from Jake One, Diamond In The Ruff will be released November 27th via Babygrande Records.
