Since 50 Cent's G-Unit Records fulfilled its obligations to Interscope, they have been free agents ... and rumors have put them as going indie, since their fanbase is solid.

The Unit's Lloyd Banks recently weighed in on the speculation, saying that while going independent makes more sense to them, they still have a few options on the table before he sets an exact date for his forthcoming third solo LP.

Especially, since he's been able to generate a buzz through the self-released single "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley."

In a recent interview with AllHipHop, Banks explained.

"This is my year. That's the other thing. When you are working independent, you can decide when ... sometimes when you are working for a label, they put you on that time clock. Sometimes, things can get forced," Banks explained. "We'll see in the very near future, it's a very smart option [for G-Unit to go independent.] Based on the response that I've gotten from 'Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,' the artist is more powerful than you think...

"When I did the, 'Officer Down' -- the response to Rick Ross -- it was already 700, 800 thousand free download before we even made the deal with iTunes. Before they approached me and I still sold 60 or 70 thousand."

Banks goes on to explain that artists, sometimes after reaching a certain stature, are better off going indie because of the perks financially.

"A lot of artists are sitting there when you first get signed to major label and they massage you like you can't live without them," he said. "It's a beautiful feeling to be independent and to be able to make money directly though iTunes or ringtones."

Banks' as-yet-titled next album is expect to drop sometime in the summer.

Stay tuned...