Philly rapper Freeway treated for kidney failure, Wu-Tang's Raekwon steps in as #FreeFest headliner
North Philadelphia native and hip-hop veteran Freeway was hospitalized Wednesday after being diagnosed with kidney failure, reports say.
North Philadelphia native and hip-hop veteran Freeway was hospitalized Wednesday after being diagnosed with kidney failure, reports say.
An anonymous source tells Revolt.TV that a physician diagnosed Freeway, 37, after a routine checkup, with the rapper being rushed to a Philly-area hospital following that for an emergency dialysis treatment.
Manager Amir Abbassy, meanwhile, tells BallerStatus.com that Freeway's "first treatment was successful and he's awake and smiling." Freeway, real name Leslie Edward Pridgen, is also expected to receive another round of treatment today.
Road manager Patrick 'Pnut' Hickson reiterated Abbassy statement to us, saying that Freeway is "in very good spirits" and was "talking [and] laughing" after his first treatment.
Abbassy also has posted messages of encouragement and prayers since news of Freeway's condition broke late Thursday:
Freeway's highly anticipated Free Fest is currently scheduled to take place Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Electric Factory, featuring DJ showcases, food vendors, and freestyle battles, as well as a performance from the man himself. Concert organizer Boom 107.9, however, says that Freeway's performance has been postponed due to his health. The remainder of the festival, however, will reportedly go on.
Freeway has since posted a photo of himself in the hospital on Instagram, indicating that as "soon as I'm 100% #FREEFEST is back on"
Boom 107.9 announced Friday afternoon that Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon will now headline the music festival.