Posted April 21, 2008 -- It’s been three years since Lloyd Banks released a solo project and the Queens rapper is getting antsy. If you notice, his behavior is more subtle than his band mates, 50 Cent and Tony Yayo, but the potential to become a live wire is evident. BET.com caught up with the G-Unit lyricist to discuss his lengthy hiatus, his new project tentatively titled, Gang Green, and what rappers are still on his radar.
Prepared to return to the spotlight, Banks' priority this time around is creative control. "On this project, they can expect a lot of energy. I just felt like on the last album, the label at that time was trying to put me out there in another lane. I wrote an album that was supposed to be feature heavy, and it didn’t happen like that. This album is for my core demographic," he says. "I rather give them what they wanna hear especially at a time like this when it’s going back to what you actually say.”
Though many fans of Banks had no idea of his father’s passing, he believes what his boss has told him, that a speedy recovery is always needed. “I wasn’t in the right state of mind to be thinking about the consequences from it at that time. 50 was the only one telling me that I had to work my way out of that since bills don’t pay themselves," Banks admits. “Our aura alone puts us out there to be invincible anyway and people are really too concerned with it until it’s put out there. I probably would have dealt with it a little bit different, but it’s an experience I definitely didn’t plan for.”
Visibly absent from 50 and Cam'Ron’s lyrical squabble last year, Banks is finally contemplating jumping in the middle of the fire. “Cam’Ron, Fat Joe, everybody who said something. It’s a lot of people that’s not worth it... People look at it like you falling off or you too Hollywood when they don’t know what’s going on during the time you didn’t respond," says Banks, before going on to tease his rivals. "But I can guarantee you, they won’t be heavy on the words this year because they know we’re out there active,” he snapped.
Still, Banks invites the drama.“And if you say something to me, I’m going to be on you tomorrow or whatever website gets it first, you’re going to hear about it and I’m going to embarrass you hands down. It doesn’t matter who it is; whether you consider them to be the best or the worst.”
Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo & 50 Cent will be releasing their sophomore group effort Terminate on Sight on June 24 via G-Unit/Interscope Records.