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".
Southside
Lloyd Banks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they will never see the...
be-A-N-K dolla sign S-K in the back of the truck
Nigga what?
I'm remarkable
Roll through the hood wit an arsenal
Lookin for a bitch to put the sausage to
The reason they won't sponsor you
All my niggas jump the gun
You sneeze and they stompin you
Back, neck, knees, and ya arms is threw
Ya album was a bad brick
Homeboy, I been hot since freddy krueger's last hit
I'm incredible, the one thing I won't ever do
Is slip up, and tell you that these bitch niggas ahead of you
Real niggas, be on point game tight (game tight)
Bag a new bitch and fuck her the same night (same night)
I could take care of these niggas on my own
Patiently waitin for Yayo to come home
Get the fuck out my way, I'm in the zone
Mutha fuck a fist fight I hold the chrome
Bitch southside til the day I die
Now you mutha fuckas know where I'm from
Niggas are jealous of the things I buy
So I gotta move around wit my gun
If you don't smoke the kinda weed I smoke
Don't bring ya bullshit around me
I'm the number one nigga comin out this year
So be satisfied wit 2 or 3
Yeah!
Ya heard right nigga
Can't none of y'all niggas fuck wit the kid
I don't give a fuck, you get mad? feel bad?
Call my name pussy... I ain't goin nowhere!
G-UNIT!!!
The opening lines of Lloyd Banks’s song Southside serve as an introduction to the artist’s rugged background as he raps about the gaze of others where he’s from. He notes that people may look at him with scrutiny or envy, but will never truly understand his “dollars signs” and the life he lives with his crew (G-Unit). Banks then puts on a display of his confidence by highlighting his own talents and accomplishments, stating that he’s in a league of his own and that his rivals simply don’t compare. He mentions that he’s always on the lookout for the next woman to sleep with while simultaneously taking on the role of a leader within his rap circle. Banks also portrays the danger that comes along with being from the “Southside” of town and just how prepared he is to protect himself and what he has.
Overall, Banks’s lyrics depict his gritty experiences and the struggle of coming from the Southside in a way that is honest and uncensored. He directly addresses those who might not understand his lifestyle, but also asserts his dominance and power in the rap game. The song is a testament to his ability to stand on his own and to the strength of his crew, G-Unit.
Line by Line Meaning
Stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they will never see the...
Lloyd Banks describes how people look at him, but they will never realize what it's like to be him.
be-A-N-K dolla sign S-K in the back of the truck
Lloyd Banks is putting the focus on his name, BANKS and his brand, G-Unit.
Nigga what?
He is further emphasizing the meaninglessness of his critics with a swear word.
I'm remarkable
Lloyd Banks believes that he is incredibly talented.
Roll through the hood wit an arsenal
Lloyd Banks is comfortable in rough neighborhoods and has weapons with him.
Lookin for a bitch to put the sausage to
He wants to find a woman to sleep with.
You niggas fallin off, I'm startin to feel like I'm responsible
Lloyd Banks thinks that his competition is losing relevance, and he wants to take credit for why.
The reason they won't sponsor you
The reason other rappers are not sponsored like he is, is simple. He is better than them.
All my niggas jump the gun
Lloyd Banks' crew is very aggressive and volatile.
You sneeze and they stompin you
People can get very hurt or killed over minor misunderstandings.
Back, neck, knees, and ya arms is threw
Getting in a fight with Lloyd Banks' crew will result in major injuries.
Ya album was a bad brick
Your latest album was disappointing and failed to sell.
Homeboy, I been hot since freddy krueger's last hit
Lloyd Banks has been popular and successful for a long time, as he compares his career milestones to popular culture moments.
I'm incredible, the one thing I won't ever do
He believes in his abilities to be amazing, but he will never give credit to competitors that aren't as good.
Is slip up, and tell you that these bitch niggas ahead of you
He will never accidentally tell another rapper that they are better than him.
Real niggas, be on point game tight (game tight)
Lloyd Banks gives advice to those who are in the rap game, telling them to always be careful and cautious.
Bag a new bitch and fuck her the same night (same night)
He brags about how easy it is for him to meet women and have sex with them quickly.
I could take care of these niggas on my own
He is confident that he can win battles on his own without his crew's help.
Patiently waitin for Yayo to come home
Tony Yayo, who was part of his G-Unit crew, was serving time in jail, and Lloyd Banks is anxiously waiting for him to be released.
Get the fuck out my way, I'm in the zone
He is very focused on his music career and nothing will distract him.
Mutha fuck a fist fight I hold the chrome
He will not engage in a fist fight and will use a gun to defend himself if someone tries to fight him.
Bitch southside til the day I die
Lloyd Banks proudly represents his hometown and will never leave it.
Now you mutha fuckas know where I'm from
He wants people to know that he is from the Southside (Jamaica, Queens), and he is not afraid of anyone who tries to challenge him.
Niggas are jealous of the things I buy
His success and money make other people envious of him.
So I gotta move around wit my gun
He has to carry weapons to protect himself from potential attackers.
If you don't smoke the kinda weed I smoke
He is particular about the kind of marijuana he smokes, so don't offer him anything other than his preference.
Don't bring ya bullshit around me
He wants people to stay away from him with their drama and negativity.
I'm the number one nigga comin out this year
In his mind, he is the most successful rapper of the year.
So be satisfied wit 2 or 3
He wishes that his competition would be content with finishing in second or third place.
Can't none of y'all niggas fuck wit the kid
He is very confident in his rapping abilities, and no one can match his skills.
I don't give a fuck, you get mad? feel bad?
He is very straightforward and doesn't care if people don't like him or feel offended.
Call my name pussy... I ain't goin nowhere!
He is determined to stay in the music industry, no matter who is criticizing him.
G-UNIT!!!
He ends his song with the signature chant dedicated to his music crew, G-Unit.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: THABISO NKHEREANYE, TRACI HALE, WIRLIE MORRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind