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Philadelphia Daily NewsWhat made you decide on the name "The Stimulus Package" for this album?I feel as though our whole operation is hip-hop recovery. We want to bring back the real hip-hop to the forefront. That's why we call it "The Stimulus Package." We're stimulating hip-hop.
How did you originally hook up with Jake One?I did some work with
Jake One on my last project, "Free At Last," and I also did some work with him on his last album, "White Van Music." The chemistry was there. And after those albums, he continued to send me music and I kept knocking songs out, so we were like, "let's do an album together," and we made it happen.
In the past you worked with a number of different producers on each project. How was it working with just one?It was cool. It was exciting. He did a good job with the production and everything turned out crazy.
What was it like working with Rhymesayers in contrast to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam?It's more intimate. I feel as though Rhymesayers worked closer with me on the project and were more hands-on with things. Def Jam is different from that.
On the album, you shouted out to the Roc-A-Fella and your State Property family frequently, and had tracks featuring Sparks, Young Chris and Beanie Siegel as well. Is this the sign of another State Property album in the future?I mean, hopefully we can get it done. Right now there's no plans, but hopefully with projects like this, there will be a push forward for us to do another State Property project.
How did some of the other collaborations come together?I just reached out to them and they showed the love. I bumped into
Birdman in Miami, him and my man
Cee Lo. I told them I needed them on the album and [they were] like, let's do it. I reached out to
Raekwon because I had actually done some work on a project of his, and then he did that with me. Everybody from
State Property, you know that's family, so it's all love.
What was your favorite song on the album?I like the whole thing, man. It's a body of work that needs to be together. The way it flows together, everything fits perfect.
On "Throw Your Hands Up" you pay homage to a number of influential hip-hop artists. Who would you say has been the most influential in your career?I used to like
Naughty (
By Nature). I used to like
Trech a lot. I used to love
Dres from
Black Sheep. Just their flows, the different flows you know? They really inspired me.
Tell us about your tour plans?We've got a couple of things in the works. First we're gonna start with album release parties. We've got [them] in Philly, Boston and New York. Then we're going to take it from there.
What can fans expect from Freeway in 2010 and beyond?I don't even know right now. Right now I can't see past "Stimulus Package." We're just trying to make that successful. Then we're going to figure out what's the next move ... I'm definitely still working. I'm already 50 songs in toward the next project, so whatever that is, I'm going to be ready.
Read the full article here:
Philadelphia Daily News - Music: North Philly's Freeway is back in the fast lane
