In the early ‘00s, bearded Philly MC Freeway broke out on his own with the soulful smash "What We Do", rapping as if it were his last day on earth—pure emotional urgency designed for maximum impact. An early appearance on JAY Z's "1-900-Hustler" found him batting cleanup, dropping street-survival jewels that sounded fresh from the pavement—like he'd barely caught his breath before grabbing the mic. The stop-start rhythm of "Roc the Mic" gives him a chance to ease up off the gas, its club-focussed sound an opportunity to trade boisterous boasts with frequent partner-in-rhyme Beanie Sigel.