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".
Survival
Lloyd Banks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you really a rider, yeah?
You don't take shit from no one, no
And got your mind on your muthafuckin' dough, let's go
I'll be a South Side nigga till I rot
Even though I got the yacht in the million dollar bot
Superman armor on the 69 drop
I blowed a buck in the corner just to get the feel
So my head light smooth when I move the steering wheel
I ain't clubbing from nothing, its top dollar to chill
I pop bottles for real with pop artists that kill
I move to mill, my backyard is a field
I ain't tough for the tube, I'll smack y'all for real
Go head hate on me now, you'll miss a nigga later
I'm hood like butter holes and pissy elevators
I went from playing the same block to Bangkok
So I can get money between raindrops
And my piece so heavy I pop a chain a week
And get so much pussy I can't sleep
Poppa was a rollin' stone
Never came back home now I'm on my own
So I had to learn a few things 'bout survival
Like the ice pick done off the bottom
If you scared don't come around here
Guns ammunition don't run out here
As soon you get the paper to try it
A nigga try me, he won't see tomorrow
I ain't even got a license yet and got 7 cars, yep
TV the same size as Kevin Garnett
A brand new buzz, Mac 10 and a chopper
White fan base 'cause Eminem is my partner
I'm a Ferrari and Jag copper, you a glass shopper
I blow marijuana the color of grass hopper
I ain't a regular nigga, all the promoters pay 100 more
To bring your boy to Singapore
My dress code got the best hoes jumping on 'em
Elvis's and Red Monkey with the monkey on 'em
Shelves'll leave a niggaz food stamps blue
Like a full tube of acid in your shampoo
We don't tolerate the cock blocking out the bricks
We got fif's with the cop stoppers in the clips
Watch your mouth bitch there's rocks popping out the wrists
And my outfits, a eye stopper for the chicks
Poppa was a rollin' stone
Never came back home now I'm on my own
So I had to learn a few things 'bout survival
Like the ice pick done off the bottom
If you scared don't come 'round here
Guns ammunition don't run out here
As soon you get the paper to try it
A nigga try me, he won't see tomorrow
A nigga throw his hands up at me, I send a dummy harmed
And had money wrong shoot him in his underarm
Then pick up a shell, that'll be his lucky charm
I got a chunky arm, I'm a fucking Don
I burn big everyday, nothing but the bong
I don't cuddle, as soon as I get the nut I'm gone
I'm in a class all by myself
I'll whoop your ass all by myself
I got white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, platinum
Young hoes, old hoes, yellow ones and black ones
I've been patiently waiting to get on my shit again
So this is for the corner they cornered a nigga in
I wish you would try jump me, I'll wave the gat by you
And burn your eyelashes off like a crack lighter
Nigga you stupid riding by trying to blast me
'Cause my window got the glass from a taxi
Poppa was a rollin' stone
Never came back home now I'm on my own
So I had to learn a few things 'bout survival
Like the ice pick done off the bottom
If you scared don't come 'round here
Guns ammunition don't run out here
As soon you get the paper to try it
A nigga try me, he won't see tomorrow
The song 'Survival' by Lloyd Banks is a message to wannabe gangsters who claim to be tough but are not up for the rough life that comes with it. The song's hook "So you say you a gangsta, right? Are you really a rider, yeah?" questions the credibility of these so-called gangsters, challenging them to prove their worth through their actions. Lloyd Banks then talks about his own life growing up on the South Side, where he has remained loyal despite his success. He speaks about the lavish lifestyle he now lives but asserts that he is still a real hood nigga and will smack anyone who disrespects him. The song then ends with a warning to anyone who tries to cross him: "A nigga throw his hands up at me, I send a dummy harmed And had money wrong shoot him in his underarm, Then pick up a shell, that'll be his lucky charm, I got a chunky arm, I'm a f------ Don."
The song's lyrics are filled with metaphors and comparisons, demonstrating Banks' clever wordplay. He also talks about the value he places on money and his extravagant lifestyle. Despite all this, he insists that he is still from the hood and knows how to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
So you say you a gangsta, right?
You claim to be a gangster, is that true?
Are you really a rider, yeah?
Do you actually have the courage to ride for your gang?
You don't take shit from no one, no
You refuse to let anyone disrespect you or push you around
And got your mind on your muthafuckin' dough, let's go
You prioritize your money above all else and are ready to get it, let's go
I'll be a South Side nigga till I rot
I will always represent my gang/neighborhood until I die
Even though I got the yacht in the million dollar bot
Despite having a luxurious lifestyle, I still stay true to my roots
Superman armor on the 69 drop
I have the best protection on my car to keep me safe
Out of every 70 rappers 69 flop
Most rappers are not successful, I am one of the rare ones who made it
I blowed a buck in the corner just to get the feel
I spent a small amount of money in the streets to feel connected to my roots
So my head light smooth when I move the steering wheel
I am focused and smooth when I drive
I ain't clubbing from nothing, its top dollar to chill
I don't go out to clubs for free, I pay top dollar to chill in VIP
I pop bottles for real with pop artists that kill
I drink expensive alcohol with famous musicians who are successful
I move to mill, my backyard is a field
I am wealthy and my backyard is like a farm
I ain't tough for the tube, I'll smack y'all for real
I am not just acting tough on TV, I will actually hit someone for disrespecting me
Go head hate on me now, you'll miss a nigga later
If you hate on me now, you will regret losing a valuable person later
I'm hood like butter holes and pissy elevators
I have a rough and gritty upbringing and still embrace my roots
I went from playing the same block to Bangkok
I have gone from being a local to an international celebrity
So I can get money between raindrops
I am so focused on making money that I will make it happen even in difficult circumstances
And my piece so heavy I pop a chain a week
My jewelry is so expensive that I can afford to lose a chain every week
And get so much pussy I can't sleep
I have so many sexual partners that I have trouble sleeping
Poppa was a rollin' stone
My father was never around
Never came back home now I'm on my own
He abandoned me and now I have to fend for myself
So I had to learn a few things 'bout survival
I had to learn how to survive on my own without the help of my father
Like the ice pick done off the bottom
I learned how to use unconventional weapons for protection
If you scared don't come around here
If you are not brave, do not come to my area
Guns ammunition don't run out here
There is always access to guns and ammunition here
As soon you get the paper to try it
If you are stupid enough to try to test me
A nigga try me, he won't see tomorrow
Someone who disrespects me or tries to hurt me will not live to see another day
I ain't even got a license yet and got 7 cars, yep
I am so rich that I have multiple cars but don't even have a driver's license
TV the same size as Kevin Garnett
I have a huge TV like a famous basketball player
A brand new buzz, Mac 10 and a chopper
I have new guns that are powerful and effective
White fan base 'cause Eminem is my partner
I have white fans because I am associated with Eminem, a famous white rapper
I'm a Ferrari and Jag copper, you a glass shopper
I drive expensive cars and you can only afford cheaper ones
I blow marijuana the color of grass hopper
I smoke high quality marijuana that is green like a grasshopper
I ain't a regular nigga, all the promoters pay 100 more
I am an exceptional artist, and promoters pay more to book me
To bring your boy to Singapore
I am in demand and get booked for international shows, such as in Singapore
My dress code got the best hoes jumping on 'em
My fashion style is so attractive that I get lots of attention from women
Elvis's and Red Monkey with the monkey on 'em
I wear expensive designer clothes such as Elvis's and Red Monkey jeans with the monkey logo
Shelves'll leave a niggaz food stamps blue
I have so much money that it would make someone on food stamps jealous
Like a full tube of acid in your shampoo
My wealth is so overwhelming it would be like putting a whole tube of acid in your shampoo
We don't tolerate the cock blocking out the bricks
We do not allow anyone to prevent us from making money in our neighborhood
We got fif's with the cop stoppers in the clips
We have guns with bullets that can stop the police in their tracks
Watch your mouth bitch there's rocks popping out the wrists
Be careful what you say because my jewelry will blind you with its shine
And my outfits, a eye stopper for the chicks
My clothes are so attractive that women cannot help but look at me
A nigga throw his hands up at me, I send a dummy harmed
If someone tries to fight me, I will harm them or someone else in their place
And had money wrong shoot him in his underarm
I have enough money to pay someone to kill someone else
Then pick up a shell, that'll be his lucky charm
I will kill someone and then keep the shell as a souvenir
I got a chunky arm, I'm a fucking Don
I have a large, muscular arm and am a boss in my gang
I burn big everyday, nothing but the bong
I smoke a lot of marijuana using a bong
I don't cuddle, as soon as I get the nut I'm gone
I am not affectionate with women, I leave as soon as I have sex
I'm in a class all by myself
I am unique and unmatched by anyone else
I'll whoop your ass all by myself
I am capable of beating someone up without help
I've been patiently waiting to get on my shit again
I have been waiting for a chance to be successful again
So this is for the corner they cornered a nigga in
This song is for the neighborhood where I grew up and was oppressed
I wish you would try jump me, I'll wave the gat by you
If someone tries to rob or attack me, I will pull out my gun and shoot them
And burn your eyelashes off like a crack lighter
I will cause someone harm with my gun, such as burning their eyelashes off
Nigga you stupid riding by trying to blast me
Someone who tries to shoot at me while driving past is foolish
'Cause my window got the glass from a taxi
My car's window is bulletproof because it was replaced with glass from a taxi
If you scared don't come 'round here
If you are afraid, do not come to my neighborhood
Guns ammunition don't run out here
There is always access to guns and ammunition here
As soon you get the paper to try it
If you are stupid enough to try to test me
A nigga try me, he won't see tomorrow
Someone who disrespects me or tries to hurt me will not live to see another day
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CHARLES LLOYD, RALPH J. JR. RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LeonardoPLK
What a throwback, from Rotten Apple to COTI 3, both masterpieces. The goat 🔥🔥🔥
@jurejevsenak8927
COTI 3 is not even close to Rotten Apple. This guy needs to put out more commercial material under the right label.
@LeonardoPLK
@@jurejevsenak8927 If you care about commercial sound you listening to the wrong artist.
@THEDONSTR8Fightah76
Prodigy better
@davidstanley9543
I remember buying Rotten Apple when it dropped. Love that album.
@traviscarter1023
@@THEDONSTR8Fightah76 I mean that not saying anything. Prodigy is already the big homie.
@jrolla1858
One of the most underrated rappers of all time, The Hunger For More was an instant classic and he always dropped that heat.
@psicopatiaMusic
instantclassic is COTI 1, 2 e 3 too 🔥🔥🔥 Lloyd Banks Forever
@AmororoGbajumo
Hell ye
@Sn00pY856
This is from rotten apple which didn’t do good at all in 2006. Sometimes yall mfs just be saying shit to sound cool.