Banks was born in New Carrollton, Maryland and raised in Queens, New York. His mother named Rosa LLoyd of Puerto Rican descent and has a Haitian-American father. His father spent most of Lloyd's childhood in prison, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings. Lloyd attended August Martin High School but dropped out at age 16. For his stage name, he took his great, great-grandfather's name Banks, which was passed on by his uncles who also shared it.
G-Unit was founded when childhood friends Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent, and Tony Yayo decided to make a group with each other. 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 rappin around the neighborhood to further increase his buzz on the streets. He then hooked up with neighborhood producers and made tracks for local mixtapes. Lloyd Banks has a renowned reputation on the mixtape scene. While Banks was making Mixtapes,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.
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. 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 was in possession of the weapons. Felony gun charges against Lloyd Banks and Young Buck were dropped on November 8, 2006.
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.
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. "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley" charted at #49 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lloyd 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 H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2) in a interview with MTV News. According to Banks, Interscope is trying to get him back due to the success of the single "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley".
On Fire
Lloyd Banks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are now rocking with the best
Lloyd Banks
G-Unit
We on fire
Up in here, it's burning hot
We on fire
Shorty take it off if it get to hot, up in this spot
We on fire
Tear the roof off this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
Nigga what you say
We get loose in this motherfucker, light the roof on fire fire
Fire
Now I ain't putting nothing out, I smoke when I wanna
Twenty six inch chrome spokes on the Hummer
This heat gon last for the whole summer
Running your bitch faster then the Road Runner
Rocks on my wrist, rolls gold under
Glocks on my hip, those throw thunder
I'm buying diamond by the pier
But when you stop, the only thing still spinning is your ear
Yeah, I'm riding with that all black snub
Raiders cap back, all black gloves
I'm eightys man, but the boy smack thugs
These record sales equal more back rubs
Not to mention I bought a pack of clubs
His impacts about as raw as crack was
Now all these new artists getting raw deals
I'm only twenty one, sitting on mills
We on fire
Up in here, it's burning hot
We on fire
Shorty take it off if it get to hot, up in this spot
We on fire
Tear the roof off this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
Nigga what you say
We get loose in this motherfucker, light the roof on fire fire
Fire
If you know anything about me, then you know I'm a baller
If I ain't hit the first night, I ain't gon call her
I'm trying to play, you trying to have my daughter
But I can't blame her for what her momma taught her
And I don't care bout what the next nigga bought her
Cause I ain't putting no baguettes in her ??
I got a diamond about as clear as water
And I got bread, but I ain't spend quarters
So cut the games ma, lets go in the back
Matter fact, turn your ass round, back a nigga down
And I ain't bias when I'm riding through the town
Like em small, like em tall, like em black, like em brown
She gotta be able to cum when I need her
Tight ass pants, little wife beater
Regular chick or R&B diva
Bitch say something, I ain't a mind reader
We on fire
Up in here, it's burning hot
We on fire
Shorty take it off if it get to hot, up in this spot
We on fire
Tear the roof off this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
Nigga what you say
We get loose in this motherfucker, light the roof on fire fire
Fire
Lloyd Banks's "On Fire" is a bold and witty rap anthem that flourishes upon the rapper's massive talent, lyrical capability, and swagger. The song effortlessly flows from verse to verse, building upon its hype and energy, giving it an explosive effect that leaves its listeners wanting more. The song deals with themes around money, fame, sex, and power. Lloyd Banks empowers himself and his crew, declaring that they are the best and fearlessly announcing their power, which is burning hot like fire. Banks boasts about his luxurious lifestyle, how he rides the streets in his Hummer with twenty-six-inch chrome spokes, buys diamonds, and clubs, and has women eating out of the palm of his hand.
In addition, the song highlights Lloyd's penchant for women and his prowess in the bedroom. He talks about his standards, his preferences on women, and how they must be able to please him. He is an alpha male who doesn't take any shit from anyone and women throw themselves at his feet. Banks delivers his lyrics with confidence and gusto, establishing himself as a dominant force to be reckoned with. The song is a celebration of wealth, power, fame, and sex, all of which are the cornerstones of rap music.
Line by Line Meaning
New York City
The song is dedicated to the city of New York.
You are now rocking with the best
The song is performed by the best artists, Lloyd Banks and G-Unit, and the listener is joining in on the experience.
We on fire
The crew is on fire, meaning they're on a roll and doing great.
Up in here, it's burning hot
The atmosphere in the club is hot and electric.
Shorty take it off if it get to hot, up in this spot
Ladies, if it's too hot, it's okay to take off your clothes.
Tear the roof off this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
The crew wants to get wild and rowdy, and they want to take the energy up to the next level.
Nigga what you say
The crew is daring anyone to try and stop them from having a good time.
Now I ain't putting nothing out, I smoke when I wanna
Lloyd Banks doesn't quit or slow down for anyone or anything.
Twenty six inch chrome spokes on the Hummer
Lloyd Banks can afford luxurious things like chrome 26-inch rims on his car.
This heat gon last for the whole summer
Lloyd Banks is going to continue to dominate the rap game throughout the summer months.
Running your bitch faster then the Road Runner
Lloyd Banks has the power to take women away from other men, like the Looney Tunes character Road Runner.
Rocks on my wrist, rolls gold under
Lloyd Banks' jewelry is high quality and expensive.
Glocks on my hip, those throw thunder
Lloyd's guns are dangerous and powerful.
I'm buying diamond by the pier
Lloyd Banks is able to afford fancy jewelry.
But when you stop, the only thing still spinning is your ear
When Lloyd Banks' jewelry spins, it's a sign that he is very wealthy. When your ear is spinning, it means you've been hit hard.
Yeah, I'm riding with that all black snub
Lloyd Banks is carrying a gun that is all black and easily concealed.
Raiders cap back, all black gloves
Lloyd Banks is wearing a specific style with a Raiders baseball cap and black gloves.
I'm eightys man, but the boy smack thugs
Even though he's in his 80s (he is referring to the 1980s), he can still beat up troublemakers.
These record sales equal more back rubs
Lloyd Banks' success in music brings him both wealth and power.
Not to mention I bought a pack of clubs
Lloyd Banks has enough money to buy expensive golf clubs.
His impacts about as raw as crack was
Lloyd Banks' music has a big impact on the hip hop scene.
Now all these new artists getting raw deals
New rappers are signing bad contracts because they're not as successful as Lloyd Banks.
I'm only twenty one, sitting on mills
Despite his young age, Lloyd Banks is already rich and successful.
If you know anything about me, then you know I'm a baller
Lloyd Banks is someone who lives a luxurious lifestyle.
If I ain't hit the first night, I ain't gon call her
Lloyd Banks is not going to settle for a woman he can't get with the first night.
I'm trying to play, you trying to have my daughter
Lloyd Banks is just trying to have fun, but some women want more.
But I can't blame her for what her momma taught her
Ladies who are pushy may have learned it from their mothers.
And I don't care bout what the next nigga bought her
Lloyd Banks is not interested in how much other men have spent on the same woman.
Cause I ain't putting no baguettes in her ??
Baguette diamonds are out of the question because Lloyd Banks believes they're not worth the money.
I got a diamond about as clear as water
Lloyd Banks has a high quality diamond.
And I got bread, but I ain't spend quarters
Lloyd Banks won't waste his money on small things.
So cut the games ma, lets go in the back
Lloyd Banks is ready to move past small talk and get intimate with a woman.
Matter fact, turn your ass round, back a nigga down
Lloyd Banks wants a woman to show her interest in him.
And I ain't bias when I'm riding through the town
Lloyd Banks is not picky when it comes to what kind of woman he is with.
Like em small, like em tall, like em black, like em brown
Lloyd Banks is open to women of all shapes, sizes and races.
She gotta be able to cum when I need her
Lloyd Banks wants a sex partner who is as into it as he is.
Tight ass pants, little wife beater
Lloyd Banks prefers women who wear tight clothes like yoga pants and small tank tops.
Regular chick or R&B diva
Lloyd Banks isn't picky about the social status or profession of the woman he's with.
Bitch say something, I ain't a mind reader
Lloyd Banks wants women to be clear with their intentions and desires.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kwame B. Holland, Curtis James Jackson, Christopher Charles Lloyd, Marshall Bruce Mathers, Harry Palmer, Luis Edgardo Resto, Andrew Loveday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind