Like every single player in this game, Freeway also tried to pull his group out of the ghetto and bring it to commercial success in the rap game. Has he succeeded? No, obviously not. The protagonists of "Ice City" – the name refers to their neighborhood in Philadelphia – still remain unknown. There's Freeway, of course, first from the left on the cover and very recognizable for the thick raw beard, but the others? Face Money, Bars, Hydro. Released under Sure Shot, here Free dominates the album and obscures the others, helped by some good hooks (Shena Grier) and some successful productions (several attempts to copycat Alchemist and Preemo beat). As guests, Joe Budden, Oschino and Peedi Crakk are forgettable. "Lock It Down" is what should be the album's banger, party cut with a heavy foolish boom bap, crooked delivery, not good. "Grindin' Stuff" is one of the lowest points here, a weak boom bap assisted by group's turned off delivery. Chad Hamilton pulls out a pretty good beat in "Philly Niggas", in another context could have been worth something. "They Ain't Ride"'n stands out. 4/10.
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