start it up 🔊 Lloyd Banks joins Rap Radar
new 'Inevitable' music plus mixtape memories
Our fourth episode is actually our first one. This was July 15, at New York City’s Sony Hall, right before soundcheck for his sold-out show. I had flown in from L.A. Can’t say I wasn’t slightly nervous — the last time B. Dot and I had conducted an official Rap Radar Podcast was March 2020. It was a great talk with Royce Da 5’9”.
Banks, aka the Punch Line King, is actually the perfect artist to help us relaunch Rap Radar. Because if you know my history at XXL, you know we had G-Unit — and Banks, in particular — on many many covers. At Sony Hall though, after twenty years of doin’ business, it was the first time Lloyd and I ever had a conversation. We literally had never met in person. Or spoken on the phone.
[Banks photos: Calligrafist]
It was a razor-sharp discussion. B. Dot and I were super impressed by Banks’ knowledge of hip-hop history. He praised Big Daddy Kane and Heavy D and made it clear that his Lazy Lloyd tat was inspired by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Layzie Bone. But my favorite part of our sit-down was witnessing the pride Banks has in his 2002 career launch: the first three G-Unit mixtapes. Classics — 50 Cent Is The Future; No Mercy, No Fear (which features Banks’ iconic “Victory (Freestyle)”; and God’s Plan ⬇️
But don’t get it twisted, Banks ain’t peaked yet. The reason we could take two months to release this pod and have it still impact is because Banks’ new The Course of The Inevitable 2 stays in rotation. My favorite song from the project? “Dead Roses”.
Rap Radar Guest Updates
Quavo and Takeoff shook up social recently with the announcement of their album title and cover. The overall project pays homage to Wu-Tang’s Raekwon and Ghostface, and to OutKast. Big shoes to fill, but Unc and Phew are up for the challenge.
Still super thankful for Jamie Foxx! That damn impression of the former guy helped our second episode cross a million views. When I was up in Philly recently to see Tyler, The Creator and Bad Bunny at Made In America, I jumped on with Rory and Mal to break down exactly why the moment was so special.
And congratulations to another Rap Radar Podcast guest, DJ Khaled: God Did debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart. Big time, for real.
So who’s up next? Let’s keep that under wraps for now — but I will say it’s someone we haven’t previously revealed.
Do remember: Rap Radar Podcast is available now on all platforms. Please subscribe, follow and download our eps at:
⬆️ super important.
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massive appreciation:
Hovain, Lloyd Banks’ manager, is our guy from day one. He’s the ultimate plug in our industry, knows everyone, knows strategy, and he’s a connector. Hovain was the one who first introduced me to Westside Gunn and the Griselda movement. Mr. Hylton did it again!
And: salute the good folks at Revolt. B. Dot and I will be at the Summit all weekend. And on September 25, we’re in conversation with ATL’s hometown legend and influencer, Gucci Mane.
back again soon,
Elliott Wilson
G-Unit forever old school my nigga!!!