PHILADELPHIA: US rapper Leslie Edward Pridgen, better known by the stage name Freeway, a moniker he appropriated from the infamous American drug dealer “Freeway” Ricky Ross, has since embracing Islam become a prominent anti-drugs campaigner. Famous across the world in rap circles, Freeway resolved to use his celebrity to combat drugs and violence, and told Okaz/Saudi Gazette from his home in Philadelphia of how he arrived at his new purpose in life. “The name Freeway helped me get famous,” he said. “I lived in an environment where armed violence was common and a lot of people used drugs, and I myself had been in prison because of drugs. But after I became a Muslim I decided to use my prominence to spread awareness among youth of the dangers of drugs and violence.” Freeway said he is currently busy with lecture tours in America and Canada at universities and other sites of youth gatherings. “On every visit I take with me Muslim musicians to attract more fans, and I show photographs and films revealing the dangers of drugs and violence.” He said he is also in discussions with the relevant authorities in Arab countries with a view to holding lectures and meetings in the Arab world. “We might do a tour of Islamic centers and universities and schools, or even go out into the street to meet the youth and spread awareness,” he said. “A lot of Muslim rap stars will come with me to the Middle East.” Despite his fame and wealth, Freeway admitted that he only attained happiness after visiting the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina last year. “The culture of the Arab Muslims really influenced me. I heard the call to prayer and saw people going to the mosques to pray, keeping to their good morals and treating people well, and it motivated me to learn more about Islam and call others to Islam. I joined the Canadian Dawah Association where they have a project for famous singers and musicians to inform about Islam and its principles of tolerance.” He said he has no intention of giving up singing, however. “Now I'm much more aware of what I say, because in Islam I'll be more responsible for every word I utter.” Freeway first came to the attention of the public with fellow rapper Jay-Z. After embracing Islam, he gave up singing for over three years to dedicate his time to learning more about Islam, a period during which he came to the Kingdom to perform Umrah, a visit he hopes to repeat this year as a Haj pilgrim.
