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Lloyd Banks

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Not to be confused with Lloyds Bank.

Lloyd Banks
Banks in 2008
Banks in 2008
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Charles Lloyd
Also known asBlue Hefner[1]
Born (1982-04-30) April 30, 1982 (age 42)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.[2]
OriginQueens, New York City, U.S.
GenresEast Coast hip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2001–present
Labels
Formerly ofG-Unit
Websitelloydbanks.com

Christopher Charles Lloyd (born April 30, 1982),[3] better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper. He began his career as a member of East Coast hip hop group G-Unit, which he formed with childhood friends 50 Cent and Tony Yayo in 1999. After the release of their debut album Beg for Mercy (2003), Banks released his debut solo album, The Hunger for More (2004) the following year. Met with critical and commercial success, it peaked atop the Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single, "On Fire", as well as the top 20 single "Karma" (featuring Avant or Kevin Cossom). His second album, Rotten Apple (2006) peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and saw mixed reviews. Banks then left Interscope Records and signed with EMI in 2010—along with his G-Unit cohorts—to release his third album, H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger For More 2) in November that year, which saw a critical rebound and peaked at number 26 on the chart.[4][5]

Over a decade later, he independently released his fourth album, The Course of the Inevitable (2021) to critical acclaim.

Early life

Christopher Lloyd was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in the South Jamaica section of the Queens borough in New York City;[2] he is of mixed Puerto Rican and African-American descent.[6] His father spent most of Lloyd's childhood in prison,[7] leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings.[8] Lloyd attended August Martin High School[9] but dropped out at the age of 16.[7] For his stage name, he took his great, great-grandfather's name Banks, which was passed on by his uncles who also shared it.[6]

Career

Beginnings with G-Unit (1999–2004)

Main article: G-Unit

G-Unit was founded when childhood friends Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent, and Tony Yayo decided to form a group.[7] They met Young Buck when UTP group came to New York and 50 Cent heard Young Buck rapping. After 50 Cent signed his contract with Aftermath Entertainment they took Young Buck in the group and signed him. Tony Yayo, being an older and more experienced rapper, joined 50 Cent on the Nas Promo Tour, the Cash Money Tour and the Ruff Ryders Tour. As Banks remained at home waiting for 50 and Yayo to return, he started rapping around the neighborhood to further increase his buzz on the streets. He then hooked up with neighborhood producers and recorded tracks for local mixtapes, becoming renowned on the mixtape scene. While Banks was recording Mixtapes,[10] 50 Cent was soon granted his own record label by Dr. Dre and released the album Get Rich or Die Tryin'; Lloyd Banks was featured on the song "Don't Push Me", and the remixed version of "P.I.M.P". Soon after the group had established their own record label, G-Unit Records, G-Unit released their first official group album Beg for Mercy in November 2003, which went on to be certified double platinum.[11]

Shooting

On September 10, 2001, Banks was shot twice while leaving a nightclub in Southside Jamaica, Queens. He was hit in the back and stomach, and ran to the nearest hospital after suffering the injuries. He woke up the next morning to news of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and watched from his hospital bed as the Twin Towers fell to the ground.[12]

During August 2005, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, and their entourage were traveling in a van, when the vehicle was pulled over after passing through a red light in midtown Manhattan.[13] Officers said they discovered a loaded handgun and another weapon in the van. Prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss the charges after an investigation determined that neither Lloyd Banks nor Young Buck were in possession of the weapons. Felony gun charges against Lloyd Banks and Young Buck were dropped on November 8, 2006.[14]

In the early morning hours of January 9, 2010, in a Kitchener, Ontario hotel, an alleged altercation took place between Banks and a concert promoter over performance fees. Banks, and three of his associates, were later charged with forcible confinement, aggravated assault and robbery, and released on $50,000 bail.[15]

Feud with The Game

The most well known feud involving Lloyd Banks is the feud between himself and The Game, which became public after The Game left G-Unit. Banks speculates that The Game was jealous about the attention Banks received after the success of his debut album The Hunger for More as well as Banks winning a lyricist title.[16]

Solo career and The Hunger for More (2004–2005)

Main article: The Hunger for More

Lloyd Banks released his solo debut album The Hunger for More in June 2004. The first single was the summer smash hit "On Fire" which featured 50 Cent, however he was uncredited. Banks explained the reasoning behind the album's title:

When I say The Hunger for More, it could be referring to more success. It could be more money. Or Respect. More power. More understanding. All those things lead up to that hunger for more, because my more isn't everybody else's more. I feel like I made it already, because I got already what everybody on the corners of the neighborhood I grew up in is striving to get.[17]

The album was a commercial success, receiving positive reviews. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard charts with over 433,000 copies sold in the first week.[18] The album has since sold over 1.5 million copies[19] and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.[20]

During an interview, Lloyd Banks commented on his first week sales:

That's the kind of debut that veteran artists have," says Banks. "That showed me that following 50's moves and studying the way that he played the game had put me in an incredible position.

Two other singles were also released from The Hunger For More, "I'm So Fly" and "Karma", the latter was a hit reaching number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 9 on the R&B charts and number 6 on the rap charts.

At the time of the album's release, Lloyd Banks was managed by Sha Money XL and Teamwork Music.

Rotten Apple (2006–2008)

Main article: Rotten Apple (album)
Banks performing in 2006

The Big Withdrawal was originally intended to be Lloyd Banks' second album. The album was leaked to the internet after Banks had a ménage à trois encounter with two women and left the CD album behind.[21] The leaked version of the album contained 23 tracks.[22]

During an interview, Lloyd Banks commented on the issue, he said:

It's truth to that rumor. That comes from me doing too much. I was just lost in my ways, fucked two women at one time. It's the little things you don't pay attention to. I had the CD in an actual DJ Whoo Kid mixtape cover. It was just a blank CD with just tracks. I got over 70, 80 tracks, so you can't get them all on one CD. So I might have had 14 tracks of the last two weeks or something like that. Next thing I know, [I] can't find the CD. I'm assuming it had to be from one of those situations when you got too much going on around you. Maybe I'mma just stick to one girl from now on. That's the only explanation that makes sense. Sticky fingers.[21]

Due to the leak, Lloyd Banks began work on Rotten Apple. "Rotten Apple" is a play on New York City's nickname "The Big Apple". It was released on October 10, 2006. The album debuted at #3, selling 143,000 copies in its first week. Rotten Apple was not considered as a commercial success because his debut album sold a significantly higher number of copies in its first week. He has released three singles from Rotten Apple: "Hands Up", "The Cake", and "Help".[23]

Departure from Interscope (2009)

Banks was dropped from Interscope Records in 2009.[24] [25] He is still signed to G-Unit Records, which will release his new album.[25] Banks released a mixtape on his 27th birthday, which fell on April 30, 2009; it included the track "Officer Down" that dissed Rick Ross. Banks also released a mixtape in 2009 called V5.[26][27]

In 2010, a year later, Interscope Records reached back out to try to re-sign Lloyd Banks. Banks did not go for it and put his third album out under G-Unit Records.[28]

The Hunger for More 2 and signing with EMI (2010–2013)

Main article: The Hunger for More 2

In late January 2010, it was announced that Banks would release a new song, "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley" featuring Juelz Santana, from his upcoming third studio album.[29] "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley" charted at #49 on the Billboard Hot 100.[30] In early June, Banks released the second single off the album, "Any Girl" featuring R&B singer Lloyd. Later on November 2, 2010, he released the third single Start It Up featuring Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie and Fabolous. Lloyd released the fourth single off the album, "I Don't Deserve You", featuring R&B singer Jeremih.

Banks release info via his Twitter announcing that the title for his third album has tentatively been called 'The Hunger for More 2' and will attempt to take him back to his best work. However, the G-Unit label later stated that the title is not set in concrete and still may be altered. The title of the album was confirmed by 50 Cent as The Hunger for More 2 in an interview with MTV News.[31] According to Banks, Interscope is trying to get him back due to the success of the single "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley",[32] but failed when Lloyd Banks revealed that he had signed a deal with EMI.

After being dropped by Interscope Records in 2009, Lloyd Banks announced on Friday, August 13, 2010, on MTV News that EMI Label Services has signed a deal with 50 Cent's label, G-Unit Records, in which EMI will distribute and promote releases on the G-Unit roster in North America including Lloyd Banks third album H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2).[33] On October 18, 2011, Banks was featured on the remix of Queen's Rapper Trav's single "Ride The Wave" alongside Juelz Santana.[34]

Banks' had this to say about the deal,

It's refreshing to see the EMI staff excited about my project, they have the passion and energy I haven't seen in while.

Resurgence with G-Unit (2014–2018)

During a performance at BB King's in New York City on August 2, 2015, Banks addressed his long-awaited Cold Corner 3 mixtape and expressed disappointment at the current state of hip-hop. He explained that the project would be released commercially, and available for pre-order. However, if he's not satisfied with the pre-order numbers, it will not be released.[35]

Departure from G-Unit and 50 Cent feud (2018–present)

Banks performing in Australia in 2019

Lloyd banks left G-Unit Records in June 2018, as announced in an Instagram post by 50 Cent. Despite public perception largely being that the relationship between 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks was amicable, as 50 Cent had recently[when?] told fans to check out Banks' new mixtape,[36] 50 Cent later spoke about the different members of G-Unit in an interview with Big Boy and said "Banks, he just... I don't even know. He couldn't even tell you like at any point when you speak to him where the problem is. I put him like where I put Marquise, like they just have something internal going on with them that gives them some sort of resentment towards me, and I just don't even care about what's going on".[37] Trav, a former associate of G-Unit, then went on Instagram live and spoke on the matter, saying: "Banks [sic] father died, bro, and Banks was sad, bro. All Banks wanted to do was him to pull up like, 'yo, bro. I'm sorry for your condolences.' Because the nigga 50 don't come from no family, he tried to play like this fake role. Like man, you ain't even know your father".[38] 50 Cent went on to call Lloyd Banks "lazy" in his book Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter[39] which Lloyd Banks would seemingly respond to in his song Stranger Things. Lloyd Banks hasn't spoke on the matter publicly however he has sent words that seem to be aimed at 50 Cent on numerous songs including Cold Summer Freestyle and Stranger Things. In-between Lloyd Banks departure from G-Unit and June 2021, he remained relatively quiet other than introducing a clothing line and touring places such as Australia, Lloyd banks wasn't doing interviews or releasing any new projects other than some freestyles. In fact, Lloyd Banks hadn't released a new project since his mixtape Halloween Havoc 3 in 2016. He would also go on to twitter to tweet things such as "Let's be real..ain't nobody checking for Banks anymore" leaving fans wondering if Lloyd Banks was done with music. However fans would be surprised as in April 2021 he would release a post on Instagram that teased possible new music which continued on May 25, when a video was released with a brief spoken-word monologue from poet Rashan Brown and a tracklist and cover art were revealed the same day. The album was released on June 4, 2021, as his 4th album and first album in 11 years named The Course of the Inevitable which sold 12,000 copies in its first week. The album received very positive reviews and Lloyd Banks seemed happy with the reception as he spoke about more upcoming music at a concert he held in Sony Hall.

Awards

In 2004, Banks was awarded 2004's Mixtape artist of the Year at the Mixtape Awards. Lloyd Banks commented on this award in an interview with AOL Sessions:

When I won the mixtape artist of the year 2004, after that I didn't want to get away from it because that right there is where I got my satisfaction, from the fans giving me that award. It wasn't like an award show when you got some big fat guys in suits on the podium that never even heard my album giving me a rating or judging what I deserve... that's actually my most proudest trophy right now.[40]

In 2005, "On Fire" was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Rap Solo Performance. In 2006, "Touch It [Remix]" was nominated for Hip-Hop Video of the Year, and won for Best Collaboration at the BET Awards. The award was shared by Banks and his collaborators, Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Papoose, and DMX. In 2010 with the excitement surrounding the release of H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2) and his return to Hip-Hop's spotlight Hip-Hop news website HipHopDX wrote that Banks had the "Comeback of the Year".[41]

Discography

Main article: Lloyd Banks discography
Studio albums
Collaborative albums

Filmography

Film Role Year Notes
Before I Self Destruct School Teacher 2009 uncredited
Morning Glory Himself 2010
Sleepless Gunman 2017

Television

Year Film Role Notes
2003–04 The Howard Stern Show Himself 2 Episodes
2004–05 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself 3 Episodes
2006 Flavor of Love Himself Famous Friends and Strangeness
2007 MTV Cribs Himself
2008 50 Cent: The Money and the Power Himself
2010 The Mo'Nique Show Himself Episode 172
2010 Chelsea Lately Himself Season 4: Episode 159
Video Games
Year Title Role Notes
2005 50 Cent: Bulletproof Himself Voice role and likeness
2009 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand Himself Voice role and likeness

References

  1. ^ "Blue Hefner Mixtape by Lloyd Banks Hosted by Kochece". Datpiff.com. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Allhiphop.com (December 1, 2003). "Lloyd Banks: Batter Up Part 2". Allhiphop.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021. "Lloyd Banks: I was born in Baltimore. I was born on the run, I grew up in Queens. The only reason why I was born in Baltimore was because my pops was on the run at the time. He took my moms with him to Baltimore, I stayed there for about a year or two then came back to Queens".
  3. ^ "Lloyd Banks Biography". AskMen.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  4. ^ "G-Unit Records and EMI Label Services Ink Distribution and Marketing Deal". EMIMusic.com. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  5. ^ "Lloyd Banks Loves the Underdog! Exclusive Interview and NYC Listening Party Pics!". RadioPlanet.tv. October 15, 2010. Archived from the original on October 18, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Lloyd Banks: Hunger for More". Sixshot. June 21, 2004. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c Monger, James Christopher (2006). "Lloyd Banks > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  8. ^ Fruchter, Alexander. "Still Hungry". Soundslam. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  9. ^ "August Martin High School". New York City Department of Education. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  10. ^ Lloyd Banks Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Askmen. Accessed July 29, 2009.
  11. ^ Lamy, Jonathan (December 18, 2003). "2003 Ends With a Bang!". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  12. ^ David Drake (January 28, 2013). "Lloyd Banks". Complex.
  13. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 9, 2005). "Young Buck, Lloyd Banks Arrested For Gun Possession". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 12, 2005. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  14. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, Reese Witherspoon & More". MTV News. November 8, 2006. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  15. ^ Infantry, Ashante (January 14, 2010). "Concert Organizer Chris Hines Describes Beating". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  16. ^ "Lloyd Banks Speculating On Game" Archived March 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Vibe, June 2006. Accessed July 29, 2007.
  17. ^ Jonathan Cohen (May 19, 2004). Lloyd Banks Feeds The 'Hunger'. Billboard. Accessed October 22, 2007.
  18. ^ "Lloyd Banks' Hunger Debuts At #1; Brandy Settles For #3". MTV News. July 7, 2004. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  19. ^ "Lloyd Banks Preps 'Hunger for More' After Going Gold". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  20. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". Riaa.com. September 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Carl Chery (December 25, 2007). Best Of '06: Lloyd Banks Loses New Album During Threesome, Addresses Cassidy Beef Archived June 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. SOHH. Accessed July 29, 2007.
  22. ^ Ryan (September 24). Lloyd Banks' "The Big Withdraw leaks. RapSearch. Accessed August 25, 2007.
  23. ^ Lloyd Banks-Rotten Apple. Accessed July 29, 2007.
  24. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 8, 2009). "Lloyd Banks Says It 'Feels So Good' To Be Independent". Mixtape Daily. MTV News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  25. ^ a b Kuperstein, Slava (June 9, 2009). "Lloyd Banks: Hungry Like A Wolf". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on June 13, 2009.
  26. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 1, 2009). "Lil Wayne Introduces Nicki Minaj". Mixtape Daily. MTV News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  27. ^ Reid, Shaheem (April 30, 2009). "Lloyd Banks Responds To Rick Ross' Eminem Dis". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  28. ^ Langhorne, Cyrus (April 18, 2010). "Lloyd Banks Wants Interscope Records' Apology, "They Calling Right Now"". Sohh.Com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  29. ^ "Lloyd Banks Says 'Look Forward To Me Dropping New Records'". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2010.
  30. ^ "Digital Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  31. ^ Kuperstein, Slava (April 9, 2010). "50 Cent Talks Next Album, New G-Unit Members | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on April 14, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  32. ^ Kuperstein, Slava (April 19, 2010). "Lloyd Banks Talks Possible Return To Interscope | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  33. ^ "Lloyd Banks Signs New Deal With EMI | HipHop-N-More". Hiphop-n-more.com. August 13, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  34. ^ "Ride the Wave (feat. Lloyd Banks & Juelz Santana) – Single by Trav on Apple Music". music.apple.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  35. ^ "Lloyd Banks Prepping "Cold Corner 3", Expresses Frustration With Hip-Hop". BallerStatus.com. August 3, 2015.
  36. ^ "50 Cent Announces Lloyd Banks' Exit From G-Unit Records". HipHopDX. June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  37. ^ 50 cent speaks on beef with Lloyd banks! "He's in the same space as my son ", April 13, 2020, archived from the original on November 18, 2021, retrieved August 7, 2021
  38. ^ Trav EXPOSES 50 Cent, Why He Robbed Slowbucks, Beef w/ Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo, Jimmy Henchman, March 27, 2020, archived from the original on November 18, 2021, retrieved August 7, 2021
  39. ^ Remy (June 12, 2021). "50 Cent calls Lloyd Banks 'lazy' in his book, Banks responds on a new song "Stranger Things"". SOUTHPAWERS. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  40. ^ Lloyd Banks AOL Session-Comments on Mixtape Award In Q&A. AOL. Accessed July 29, 2007.
  41. ^ "The 2010 HipHopDX Year End Awards | Discussing Lil' Wayne, Drake & Many More Hip Hop Artists". HipHop DX. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
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