> HFM2
G-Unit (feat. Joe) - Wanna Get To Know You (G-Unit/Interscope, 2003)
This was my favorite song for the winter of 2003/2004, and I have so many memories connected to this song (as does everyone who was riding with the Unit back then, I’m sure). Buck does alright here, but damn, Banks and 50 really care this track to another level. Back in ‘03, Buck was admittedly my favorite member of the Unit aside from 50, as his drawl made him stand out more amongst the New York crew. Over the years, my admiration of Buck has only lessened (although I still ride for both Straight Outta Ca$hville and Buck The World) while my favoritism towards Banks has only grew. 50 will always be my favorite member of the Unit, which is honestly something most people don’t admit after some point in 2005, when the Massacre was (unfairly) deemed a critical failure. However, even in 2003, Banks was showing signs of how he’d go onto be one of the best pure spitters, dropping game here with a ridiculous amount of monotone charisma (ala Method Man), making 40 years olds feel like young ladies.
Pusha, Rae, 50, Kanye, Em, and Styles P features <3
November 23rd!
G-Unit - I Smell Pussy (G-Unit/Interscope, 2003)
G-Unit borrowing the melody from R. Kelly’s TP-2.com jump-off, The Greatest Sex, made for one of the most overlooked for-the-ladies joints in The Unit’s catalogue, which also surprisingly doubled as a diss towards Murder Inc thanks to 50’s clever intro. 50’s chorus is as hypnotizing as it’s ever been (take me to ecstacy without taking extacy) and the original trio of Banks, Yayo and 5th all deliver great verses, although Banks’ flawless double-time flow is the most notable. I can’t say I love you, I don’t know what that means.
Revisiting all this G-Unit is making me terribly reminiscent. G-Unit’s music made up the majority of my teenage years, and I can’t believe I’ve avoided revisiting it for so long.
never forget.
Lloyd Banks - The Finish Line (G-Unit/EMI, 2010)
Blue Hefner drops another joint off from the upcoming Hunger For More 2, and christ, it’s beautiful. It reminds me of the introspective joints found on his V.5 mixtape released on New Years, even though his double-time flow is a little strange to hear at first. Banks has always had a reputation as one of the strongest punchline rappers in the game, but people forget all the deep, reflective joints he’s placed on his albums and mixtapes as well. The Finish Line is the latest in the line, and the PLK rides this understated, but smooth instrumental like a champion.
The PLK returns November 23rd.
Kanye West (feat. Kid Cudi, John Legend, Pusha T, Ryan Leslie & Lloyd Banks) - Christian Dior Denim Flow
Despite the fact that Kanye threatened to take away our G.O.O.D. Friday this week like a father upset at his children for finding their secret stash, we still end up getting one, although it’s a day late. Kid Cudi and John Legend supply the dueling chorus, which is good, because Legend’s voice has always been underwhelming to me on its own - surprisingly, Ryan Leslie doesn’t provide any singing here, instead dropping a verse that leads into the PLC’s. Seeing names like Tudda, Pusha, and Lloyd’s on the same track would be a big deal otherwise, but this is G.O.O.D. Friday, where dream collaborations come true even if you never really thought about hearing these guys together. Hearing a member of G-Unit on Kanye production is very refreshing - I heard that Kanye’s also producing some stuff on The Hunger For More 2, so please, let that mean that he’s contributing to Curtis’ next album as well? Banks and Pusha both deliver great verses; Kanye’s still very subdued, like he is in almost every G.O.O.D. Friday, letting the guests get the largest parts. Kid Cudi actually drops a verse here to bookend the song, and sounds good rapping - the first time he’s rapped on a G.O.O.D. Friday track I believe? I’m excited for Man On The Moon 2, as well. Basically all four rappers on here all have an album/mixtape due soon, so it’s exciting to hear all of them together.
Also, the track name is cool.
Lloyd Banks (feat. Lloyd) - Any Girl (G-Unit/EMI, 2010)
Lloyd and Lloyd (we need collaborations from Joe and Joe Budden/Mario and Mario Winans now - even better, Master P and Diddy) hook up (ayo) for the next single off Banks’ Hunger For More 2. Banks sounds dope here, and the beat is nice, but really did you need to get Mr. Bedrock? I haven’t liked a song with Lloyd on it since Lil Wayne remixed Get It Shawty back in 2007, and that’s only because that beat was on some next level minimalistic shit. The song’s kinda corny, but apparently, it’s popular; although it’s no BBORB, it’s definitely got its charm. Hopefully the rest of HFM2 is harder, which I’m sure it will be.
album drops November 23rd. Hopefully it’s at least as good as 50’s Before I Self Destruct, which is still criminally underrated.
the official remix finally drops. An unexpected guest list here. Couldn’t care less about Jada and Luda in 2010. I don’t get Dream being on rap remixes - I love dude’s music, but he’s an R&B singer and should be treated as such. Yo Gotti needs to drop Live From The Kitchen already. The new beat’s alright, pretty subtle compared to the original. Banks still kills.
I’ll keep the TiNC2 version of the song with Loso and Juelz, personally.
