Freeway

Distinctively gruff and pugnacious throughout his lengthy career, Freeway staked his spot in the post-millennial hip-hop landscape with an appearance beside Roc-a-Fella brethren Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek on Jay Z's "1-900-Hustler" (2000). The Philadelphian rapper capitalized on subsequently increasing momentum with one of Roc-A-Fella's most thrilling releases, the Top Ten pop hit Philadelphia Freeway (2003), which featured appropriately energizing productions from Just Blaze and the emergent Kanye West.