Leslie Edward Pridgen (born March 24, 1975), better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery (akin to that of Ghostface Killah)That was originated from Cashmere Aka Black Ross From West Philly and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith. His moniker is not derived from the name of the infamous drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross. He was a member of the rap group Ice City, is a member of the rap group State PropertyFreeway Rolling Stone Article | Real.com and recently signed to Cash Money Recordswww.rapbasement.com/lil-wayne/060309-lil-waynes-new-rebirth-album-is-pushed-to-august-and-rapper-freeway-signs-to-cash-money.html.

Early career

Signing to Roc-A-Fella

Born Leslie Pridgen, Freeway began his career by participating in freestyle battles in his high school and met fellow Philadelphia native Beanie Sigel while rapping on stage at a hometown nightclub. Not long after being signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, Sigel put in a word for Freeway, who made his first appearance on The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, on the track "1-900-Hustler" with Beanie, Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek. After the appearance, Jay-Z signed him to a deal; he was featured on "Think it's a Game," also alongside Jay-Z, on Beanie's second album The Reason.

In 2001, he underwent a notorious freestyle battle with then-unsigned rapper Cassidy, hosted by Swizz Beatz and lost with a unanimous judges descision.