A recent trip to Mecca led devout Muslim hip-hopper Freeway to declare his own music haraam (Arabic for unlawful) because it distracted him from praying. But he seems comfortable defying faith enough for the release of Free at Last, the Roc-a-Fella MC’s first album in four years. The tracks are classic throwbacks, full of seventies-soul samples backing the bearded one’s gruff vocals. The combination makes for that rare, wince-free mainstream rap release to which you’ll gladly submit.
Free At Last
Freeway
Roc-A-Fella
Out Nov. 20
$13.98