New DITR Release Date Set For Nov. 27th; Pitchfork Premieres First Single Today
The Song:
Freeway, hip-hop’s original bearded luminary, is excited to unveil the first single from his upcoming album, Diamond In The Ruff, which is now set to be released on November 27th via Babygrande Records. Titled “Jungle,” Philly Free’s futuristic yet animalistic banger premiered on Pitchfork earlier this morning.
For DITR's debut single, Freeway breakdowns the risks, rewards, and rules of life in the concrete jungle, with a specific focus on pushing product. In true Freeway fashion, “Jungle” utilizes a rich and punchy percussion-heavy style of production, topped with a synthesized string, brass, and church choir sustain and complete with squealing synth arpeggiated accents, that doesn't overshadow his gritty flow, but rather provides a solid foundation for him to spit on. The hook says everything he wants you to know: “Let me show you how we do it in the jungle/ Make work tumble, move it by the bundle.”
In case you missed it yesterday, Freeway will be kicking off the first leg of his Diamond In The Ruff Tour today at The 2012 A3C Festival in Atlanta (9:45pm on the iHopHop Stage at The Masquerade), and continuing on through mid-November. The second leg of tour dates will be announced soon.
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.
