It's Christmas-time In Illadelphia: Freeway - Black Santa EP (State Property & The Knicks)

Freeway pretty much pulled out all the stops for his latest mixtape, Black Santa EP: rapped verses from Iman Shumpert/Rasheed Wallace (The Knicks) and champion boxer Adrien "The Problem" Broner, a clever Kenny Loggins sample, spear-heading the State Property reunion, and releasing a DOPE holiday-themed mixtape just in time for Christmas. I've always thought that Freeway was a talented, criminally under-rated emcee and over the years, he's been affiliated with powerhouse labels like Roc-a-Fella, Cash Money, Rhymesayers, and G.O.O.D. Music. Freeway's critically acclaimed debut, Philadelphia Freeway (2003) was [executive] produced by Jay-Z, Just Blaze, and Kanye... as well as star-studded guest features from Snoop, Mariah Carey, Peedi Crakk, Nelly, and Nate Dogg.


Black Santa EP features some note-worthy production work from the likes of Jake One, Statik Selektah, DJ SNS, and Jumbo Beats; But one particular track, "Roc Re-loaded" (Reunion) showcases a State Property reunion with Peedi Crakk (The Roots), Young Chris, Memphis Bleek, and Neef Buck. Tracks #1-2, "Black Santa" and "This Is It" sample Christmas jingles and Kenny Loggins/Michael McDonald's 1979 hit single of the same name. Freeway's long-awaited fourth album, Diamond In The Ruff is now available through Babygrande Records, a label which he signed a deal with back in August. Merry Christmas to all... "and a Festivus for the rest of us!"