Game makes an appearance on ‘When The Chips Are Down’ with a memorable chorus “The paint is peeling, when the chips are down, you gotta lose all feeling, your head goes round and round.” ‘Til The End’ is a vivid, bone chilling story of life in the hood where “You know it's possible that you won't make it back in your bed,” the slow, keyboard-heavy Eminem beat creates a haunting mood that accentuates the themes Banks talks about. While the first ten tracks (culminating with the awful, poppy ‘Karma’) seem more geared toward mainstream radio, it’s the last four tracks where Banks truly shines. Even with all the big names contributing on The Hunger for More, Banks manages to hold his own and doesn’t get outshined by these heavy hitters. Following in the same vein as ‘On Fire’ is the bouncy Timbaland produced ‘I’m So Fly’ with clever punch lines like “They boyfriend’s a scrub like Brillo 'cause Banks is cooler than the other side of the pillow.” Of course having an all-star cast of artists pitching in on your debut album doesn’t hurt like on ‘Warrior Part 2’ with verses by Eminem and 50 Cent as well as an outstanding chorus by the late, great Nate Dogg. While not having 50 Cent’s charisma or catchy hooks, Lloyd Banks is a very capable lyricist and his first single, the Eminem produced ‘On Fire’ may not be 50’s ‘In da Club’ but it’s really not that far behind.
50 made it seem easy with his mega selling debut so he is the executive producer on The Hunger for More and the rest of G-Unit, as well as Eminem contribute to Banks’ debut. Both these albums try to follow the formula used by 50: hardcore, thuggish rhymes with bouncy club beats and radio friendly songs. First was G-Unit’s very average Beg for Mercy, shortly after, Lloyd Banks’ The Hunger for More followed. With the success of 50 Cent, it was only a matter of time before his buddies released albums. Review Summary: Lloyd Banks follows the mold of “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” to perfection
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