Lloyd Banks is an explosive lyricist, but he has a rotten problem. No, it's not the clash of styles with his oversized pendants and it's not with the beef G-Unit has engaged in with The Game or Yukmouth. Actually, the 24-year-old's rotten problem is producing an album hotter than his platinum-selling debut, Hunger For More. That offering was a solid introduction to industry and with emotion, club bangers and sharp punchlines by his side, it was undoubtedly one of the best LPs in 2004. Then again, most people feel an artist's best work is present on their debut, so following up on The Hunger For More wasn't going to be an easy feat, especially after putting out mediocre mixtapes (sorry Whoo Kid). Fortunately for Banks, his second album, Rotten Apple, carries enough heat to avoid the sophomore jinx.
Just like its predecessor, Rotten Apple has several unique singles that could potentially set a future trend in hip-hop. Right now, Banks is riding high with 50 Cent on the Eminem-produced club banger "Hands Up" and damn, is that song catchy. Banks shows his softer side as he works with vocalist Keri Hilson on "Help" and this Boy Wonder actually sounds like he has once been genuinely struck by Cupid's Arrow. He also teams with R&B crooner Musiq Souldchild on "Addicted," where he rhymes about his obsession with the street life.
Aside from the potential breakout bangers, Banks continues getting personal over a variety of energetic beats like "Make A Move" and "You Know The Deal" featuring Rakim. On "One Night Stand," he talks about the groupie love (or in an effort to sound nice, the lovemaking with numerous polite females), but his best performance is on the funky-inspired "Gilmore's," where he effortlessly rhymes about how rap has saved his life. Pure dynamite.
But not everything on this album is peaches and cream. Out of the sixteen tracks, nine have guest spots and sadly, half of those collaborations bring the overall album down. The title track "Rotten Apple" features a terrible beat and sub par verses from 50 Cent and Prodigy. That's not the only time we hear from them though. 50 Cent tries acting cool with Banks on "The Cake," but 50 is a mere nuisance. "Get Clapped" featuring Mobb Deep isn't any better. Yea, Banks spits a hot verse, but has a wack-ass hook about diamonds in his chain and how the camera loves him. Maybe that can be tolerated, but then Mobb Deep comes along and sadly, Prodigy still can't rhyme in time (or rhyme for that matter). Havoc is still dope though.
"NY, NY" is another good example of how a song starts off great and then turns to sh--. Eminem produces a hot beat, Banks spits hot bars and then, Tony Yayo comes along and instantly destroys a beautiful thing. There is only one emcee who can make a song sound like diarrhea instantly and that is Tony Yayo. Maybe next time, Banks will wisen up and stop putting his friends on, especially when their albums don't sell well (seriously, the music on Blood Money and Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon were worse than a Phil Collins compilation). Lance Bass could probably write something better. Just entertain the thought, Lloyd... just entertain the thought.
The Rotten Apple has a few bad seeds, but Banks' lyricism and production team saves the day for this Boy Wonder.
Features Slim (of 112): Hi Haters What else do you want from Slim? His prolific group 112 has sold over 20 million records worldwide, and with a bevy ... full story
Editorials & Columns Scouting Report: Bambu You can refer to Bambu with various terms: rebel, revolutionist, Filipino, thug, artist. From the outside looking in, ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Far Cry 2 Gone are Jack Carver, his Hawaiian shirt, and the trigens from the first installment of "Far Cry," but in comes spine ... full story
Video Bambu: Like Us (Music Video) We recently featured Filipino rapper, Bambu, in our Scouting Report column, and now, he's just dropped a new video. ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
