It's a 50 Cent world, and we're just living in it. Lloyd Banks's solo debut is one in an upcoming series of G Unit-affiliated releases coming to a hood near you. With his understated raspy flows and gift for penning clever... more » punch lines, Banks has long been considered the crew's nicest lyricist. He might also be the most braggadocious. On choice cut "Warrior," the narcissism begins: "I'm smooth as the Isleys, sometimes I surprise me." Then there's the self-explanatory "I?m So Fly," produced by Timbaland, and "If You So Gangsta," where he informs his fellow hood dwellers why they can't compete with the "rap Lebron." As with all G Unit productions, the beats are first-rate. Remarkable backing tracks supplied by underrated producers Hi-Tek and Baby Grand ("I Get High," "Die One Day") act as a much needed counterweight to Banks's clichéd thug-guns-girls-jewelry banter. A better reason to cop this album is to hear Banks's introspective take on the flipside of thug living. R&B-tinged ballad "Karma" demos his ability to serenade the hotties in more, um, gentlemanly fashion. When he raps "if it wasn't for 50, I probably wouldn't be around," he might be right. But the rap world's no worse off with this capable debut in our midst. --Dalton Higgins« less
It's a 50 Cent world, and we're just living in it. Lloyd Banks's solo debut is one in an upcoming series of G Unit-affiliated releases coming to a hood near you. With his understated raspy flows and gift for penning clever punch lines, Banks has long been considered the crew's nicest lyricist. He might also be the most braggadocious. On choice cut "Warrior," the narcissism begins: "I'm smooth as the Isleys, sometimes I surprise me." Then there's the self-explanatory "I?m So Fly," produced by Timbaland, and "If You So Gangsta," where he informs his fellow hood dwellers why they can't compete with the "rap Lebron." As with all G Unit productions, the beats are first-rate. Remarkable backing tracks supplied by underrated producers Hi-Tek and Baby Grand ("I Get High," "Die One Day") act as a much needed counterweight to Banks's clichéd thug-guns-girls-jewelry banter. A better reason to cop this album is to hear Banks's introspective take on the flipside of thug living. R&B-tinged ballad "Karma" demos his ability to serenade the hotties in more, um, gentlemanly fashion. When he raps "if it wasn't for 50, I probably wouldn't be around," he might be right. But the rap world's no worse off with this capable debut in our midst. --Dalton Higgins
CD Reviews
Hunger for More...Leaving some wanting just that...
Omar Cunningham | Fayetteville, NC USA | 06/29/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First off i'm the biggest Lloyd Bank$ fan out there. Got Banks on my phone, a Airbrush shirt my girl got me for christmas, and and enough mixtapes to start a greatest of banks collection. Been bumping his solo hits for over a year now from Porno Star all the way to Backwards, and thats why I was expecting so much more..But don't get me wrong the CD is great but between the kid's past work and the fact that the album leaked and I couldnt help but listenin to 10 out of 15 of the track I was hoping there would be more...Its not better than Get Rich or Die Tryin but thats not banks fault, 50 had better production and beats plus it had more tracks... Now for the breakdownTop 5 Tracks (no order) - Ain't No Click, Warrior, Fire, Warrior 2, I'm So Fly..uhh maybe Top 7 - Work Magic, and Just Another Day ( Bonus Track )-Karma is almost like Smile Pt. 2 for the ladies, but not as good if you ask me.-Til The End (Produced by Eminem) reminds me of his "True Loyalty" which is a song between Niggas that stick together-Actually I like all the tracks lyrically and hook wise, just the beats could have been better.. But make sure you cop that Special Edition cause the bonus track (Just another Day) is hot, and so is the Animated "My Buddy" Video...that mess is sick!You did your thing Bank$, can't wait till the next one... Dont keep us waiting"
I love this cd
Guerilla-unit | 06/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is pretty good.1. Ain't No Click (f/ Tony Yayo)4/5
2. Playboy2/5
3. Warrior4/5
4. On Fire4.5/5
5. I Get High (f/ 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg)3/5
6. I'm So Fly6/5(My fav)
7. Work Magic (f/ Young Buck)4/5
8. If You So Gangsta5/5
9. Warrior Part 2 (f/ Eminem, 50 Cent, & Nate Dogg)5/5
10. Karma5/5
11. When The Chips Are Down (f/ The Game)5/5
12. Til The End5/5
13. Die One Day4/5
14. South Side Story5/5
B - Just Another Day4/5
B - Take A Good Look5/5"
The best artist out right now
Cade Bromley | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | 12/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, Lloyd Banks is one of the best artists' out right now. He is Mix Tape Champion, his albumn has sold over 5 million, and he is one of the nicest at layin down punchlines. In order for you to appreciate this cd, you have to understand the hip hop world. This is NOT just another main-stream cd, it's blend of what Banks has been doing in the mix tape world for years. If you don't keep up with the mix tape world then this cd will be hard to understand. This cd is one of the hottest in recent years because of the lyrics, the hooks,and the versatility. Banks is one of the few artists today that can flow about money in one song, women the next song, and life in the hood on the next song-all while maintaining a true and real flow to each song. This cd is a very, very, small piece of Lloyd Banks' work. In order to appreciate Banks and what he brings to the game, you HAVE to listen to him on the mixtapes. This cd is fire if you know how to listen to it."
More To Come From Lloyd Banks.
Guerilla-unit | 09/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Being a huge Lloyd Banks fan i thought he could of done better on some of his beats in his songs and come up with better songs..but his lyrics are amazing, so thats why THE KID didnt get 5/5..Overall this Cd was a 4 stars fo sure..And for people who think hes garbage..hes only 21..and he is the best lyricist in rap TODAY...Only bad song on the cd was Karma, I have no clue what he was thinking with this song..Take it out and its a Bangin cd..Best songs were Playboy..Warrior..Im So Fly..Warrior Part 2..When the Chips Are Down..Southside Story..
"
Lloyd Banks - The Hunger for More
Tha Realest | Greensburg, PA USA | 10/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After 50 Cent took the rap game in his grasp by releasing his first major label debut album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," next came his group, G-Unit. Consisting of 50, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck. Their album, "Beg for Mercy" blew up big time selling over 3 million copies and got the rest of the rappers names out to the mainstream audience. So next in line was for Lloyd Banks to drop his first solo album titled, "The Hunger for More." It was released in June of 2004.
1. Ain't No Click (Featuring Tony Yayo) - 4.5/5
2. Playboy - 4.5/5
3. Warrior - 4.5/5
4. On Fire - 4.5/5
5. I Get High (Featuring 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg) - 3.5/5
11. When the Chips Are Down (Featuring The Game) - 4.5/5
12. Til the End - 4.5/5
13. Die One Day - 4/5
14. South Side Story - 4.5/5
15. Just Another Day [Bonus Track] - 4.5/5
Overall:
64/75
4 Stars
Lloyd Banks definitely drops the heat on this album. His hooks are great and his lyrics and punchlines are clever as hell. There were a couple weak tracks on here but none that were straight up wack. Check this out if your a fan of G-Unit or mainstream hip hop. I'll be looking forward to his next release for sure."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1