Free Agent (Deluxe Edition)

One of the best new MCs to emerge in the post-millennium era, Brooklyn native Joell Ortiz started generating a huge buzz around 2004, earning props from both *The Source*\'s Unsigned Hype and *XXL*\'s Chairman\'s Choice, thanks to a breakout mixtape. With his rugged flow, intricate lyricism, projects-bred street sensibility, and smooth wittiness, major labels started hollering, eventually leading to a deal with Dr. Dre\'s Aftermath Entertainment. Though they eventually parted ways, he kept busy with a steady stream of excellent indie albums, most notably 2007\'s *The Brick: Bodega Chronicles* and 2009\'s *Slaughterhouse* debut (with Crooked I, Joe Budden, and Royce Da 5\'9\"). *Free Agent* finds him working with some of hip-hop\'s best producers, including Premier, Just Blaze, Large Professor, and Nottz, delivering his potent verses over excellent NYC-centric beats. Everything on here is great, especially the LOX collabo \"Put Some Money On It,\" the single \"Sing Like Bilal,\" and horn-infused romantic joint \"Call Me (She Said).\"