It's been about 11 years since Lloyd Banks began releasing a string of platinum singles for his debut album The Hunger For More. The Queens-born MC took the game over with those cuts: "On Fire," "I'm So Fly," and "Karma." Banks didn't slow down for about a decade, marking an unforgettable run that has to be given tribute with a Throwback Thursday.
Working with the likes of Kanye West, Juelz Santana, Timbaland, and of course 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks was able to put on an impressive run. He's been a little quiet as of late, especially in comparison to that initial burst of releases. We might not have seen a proper album since 2010's H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2), but we've just received Halloween Havoc 2 last weekend, and apparently he's set to release The Cold Corner 3 next year. Until then, we reflect on the past.
"On Fire"
Atop of the Empire State Building, Lloyd Banks throws a party with his boys, who gut their cigarillos onto the security guard's shoulder. The club-ready anthem was Banks' first single, and sparked a huge run of commercial success.
"I'm So Fly"
Timbaland might have been the era's go-to producer, and it's for beats like this one. The track boasts that classic G-Unit sound, as Banks boasts about his jewelry and overall level of coolness.
"Karma" featuring Avant
There was a solid run of rap tracks about being googly-eyed for a lady friend around 2003. Here's Lloyd Banks take on the classic crossover love song.
"Hands Up" featuring 50 Cent
When the first single for Rotten Apple dropped, it featured the boss-man 50 Cent on the hook. "Hands Up" was made for the club, and garnered a gold certification from the RIAA.
50 Cent - "P.I.M.P." featuring Snoop Dogg and G-Unit
So it may not be his single, per se, but it was one hell of a single. Could we leave this one out of a Throwback Thursday list? Hell no!
"Cake" featuring 50 Cent
So many of the tracks on this list are club-ready bangers, but this Rotten Apple cut was a little more on the 90s revival side of things. The piano-driven instrumental proved to be perfect for a G-Unit single alongside 50 Cent.
"Help" featuring Keri Hilson
Another R&B/hip hop crossover from Lloyd Banks, this time alongside Keri Hilson. It was one of Hilson's first big singles, helping to spawn a career that has produced platinum records of its own.
Eminem - "You Don't Know" featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Cashis
Eminem Presents: The Re-Up might not be his most memorable release, but that's not to say it didn't have its moments. "You Don't Know," which featured our subject and 50, was a high point of the compilation.
"Beamer Benz Or Bentley" featuring Juelz Santana
"Beamer Benz Or Bentley" is definitely one of Banks' biggest tracks, and it's because it's practically perfect. The 2010 banger inspired tons of freestyles and probably fueled at least a handful of relationships on the dance-floor.
"Start It Up" featuring Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie & Fabolous
Of course Kanye was going to show up in this list. Even if he had a little album-battle with 50 back in the day, he linked up with G-Unit for a huge cut off H.F.M. (Hunger for More 2).