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The Hunger for More

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The Hunger for More is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Lloyd Banks. Originally scheduled for a May 25, 2004 release,[1] the album was ultimately dropped on June 29, 2004 through G-Unit Records and Interscope Records.

The Hunger for More
Studio album by
Lloyd Banks
ReleasedJune 29, 2004 (2004-06-29)
Studio
  • Sony Studios (New York, NY)
  • Spydadome (New York)
  • The Power House at Metropolis Studios (London)
  • The Big House (Farmington, CT)
  • The Hit Factory Criteria (Miami, FL)
  • Right Track Studios (New York, NY)
  • 54 Sound (Detroit, MI)
  • Teamwork Studios (New York, NY)
GenreHip hop
Length55:25
Label
Producer
Lloyd Banks chronology
The Hunger for More
(2004) 		Rotten Apple
(2006)
Alternative cover
Special edition cover
Singles from The Hunger for More
  1. "On Fire"
    Released: April 27, 2004
  2. "I'm So Fly"
    Released: July 13, 2004
  3. "Karma"
    Released: October 19, 2004

Recording sessions took place at Sony Studios, Spydadome, Right Track Studios and Teamwork Studios in New York, The Power House at Metropolis Studios in London, The Big House in Farmington, The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, and 54 Sound in Detroit.

Production was handled by Eminem, Sha Money XL, Baby Grand, Black Jeruz, Chad Beat, Greg "Jinx" Doby, Havoc, Hi-Tek, Kwamé, Ron Browz, Scram Jones, Thayod Ausar, The Diaz Brothers and Timbaland, with co-producer Danja and additional producer Luis Resto. It features guest appearances from fellow G-Unit members 50 Cent, The Game, Tony Yayo and Young Buck, as well as Nate Dogg, Eminem and Snoop Dogg.

The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, at number two on the Canadian Albums Chart and peaked at number 15 on the UK Albums Chart. It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and Music Canada and Gold by the British Phonographic Industry.

It was supported with three charted singles: "On Fire", "I'm So Fly" and "Karma". Its lead single received a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance nomination at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

Background

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Concept

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During an interview Lloyd Banks explained the reason behind naming the album. He said:

When I say The Hunger for More, it could be referring to more success. It could be more money. Or Respect. More power. More understanding. All those things lead up to that hunger for more, because my more isn't everybody else's more. I feel like I made it already, because I got already what everybody on the corners of the neighbourhood I grew up in is striving to get.[2]

Recordings

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We had a studio on the tour bus. I wrote on the road, going through different situations, constantly touring. 50 was out there, Snoop Dogg was out there, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, a lot of people and I'm tryin' to find my lane at the same time as goin' through all the ins and outs.[3]

I recorded about 50 tracks and I had 50 choose the tracks for the album. “Chips it down” meaning that when the finances are not there, you realize that you need money for everything, and you know that money can change everything. It is talking about the move from having nothing to having all the money and the cars and jewelry.[4] When I'm doin' records for my album, I'm givin' you the same thing I'm givin' you on the mixtapes, but I'm also givin' material that I don't care about getting an (oooh or wow) at the crowd. I do it to basically to tell you stuff you need to know. You understand. If I said you need to know this is what to expect from my neighborhood its kinda like a message at the same time you see good news travel slower than bad news. Yanno so if you grow up in the suburbs or you out of the country or whatever maybe my personal experiences will make you appreciate your neighborhood better. So it's certain things that when I make a record or my album where I'm tellin' you I don't care about your *oooohs and ahhhhs* I just feel like you need to know this.[4]

During the first week of The Hunger For More's release, a distribution house in Manhattan was robbed of approximately eight boxes of the CDs (200 copies). A New York record store had nearly 100 copies of the CD stolen from its racks by a single perpetrator on the album's first day in stores, though they were later recovered.[5]

Songs

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In support of the album, G-Unit/Interscope Records released three singles with accompanying music videos.

Its lead single, "On Fire", was released prior to the album, on April 27, 2004. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and number 2 on the Hot Rap Songs in the US. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 13, 2005, but lost to Jay-Z's "99 Problems". On May 19, 2005, the song was certified Gold by the RIAA. The song can be heard in the fifth episode of the third season of TV series The Wire entitled "Straight and True" and in 2005 film Fantastic Four.

The second single off the album, "I'm So Fly", was released on July 13, 2004. It did not make it to the US Billboard Hot 100, however, it peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles, number 32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 21 on the Hot Rap Songs. Music videos for the first two singles were directed by Jessy Terrero.

The album's third and final single, "Karma", was released on October 19, 2004. It reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 9 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 6 on the Hot Rap Songs in the US. The music video, directed by Little X, and radio versions of the song features R&B singer Avant instead of Kevin Cossom, who provided additional vocals on its album version.

In 2009, the song "Warrior, Pt. 2" was used in So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series) season 6.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic66/100[6]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllHipHop     [7]
AllMusic     [8]
Blender     [9]
E! OnlineB-[10]
HipHopDX4/5[11]
Los Angeles Times    [12]
Now     [13]
RapReviews8/10[14]
Rolling Stone     [15]
Vibe3.5/5[16]

The Hunger for More was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 66 based on ten reviews.[6]

Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews claimed: "while it's not better than 50's national debut or G-Unit's album, it's certainly no worse".[14] AllMusic's David Jeffries called it "another solid release from the crew", and also compared it with G-Unit's previous releases, saying it is "a couple steps down from 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' and a step above G-Unit's Beg for Mercy".[8] Rondell Conway of Vibe stated: "while he excels in clever jousting, Banks lacks range and storytelling ability".[16] E! Online reviewer found "the one thing Banks lacks is Fiddy's natural charisma--he's also about eight bulletholes short in the "life-experience department".[10] Dean Kuipers of Los Angeles Times wrote: "though not one of the songs on the album stands out in terms of head-popping new production -- there's not a hit that will transcend the hip-hop hard-core -- each cut is utterly bulletproof, and Banks' lyrics provide a few new twists".[12]

In mixed reviews, Chairman Mao of Blender resumed: "while Banks's wicked wordplay is impressive, his one-liners get him only so far".[9] Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone concluded: "Banks... raps each verse as if his entire career depends on it".[15]

Commercial performance

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In the United States, the album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and the Top Rap Albums charts, with 434,000 copies sold in its first week of its release.[17] It remained at number-one in the second week, selling close to 164,000 copies.[18] "That's the kind of debut that veteran artists have", says Banks. "That showed me that following 50's moves and studying the way that he played the game had put me in an incredible position". On September 9, 2004, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for 1 million units sold in the US alone.

The album also debuted at number 2 on the Canadian Albums Chart. In October 2004, the album received a Platinum certification by the Canadian Recording Industry Association for sales of 100,000 copies in Canada.[19]

In the United Kingdom, the album peaked at number 15 on the UK Albums Chart, number 7 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart and number 19 on the Scottish Albums Chart. The album reached its Gold status by the British Phonographic Industry on June 17, 2016.

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ain't No Click" (featuring Tony Yayo)
Havoc4:25
2."I'm So Fly"
4:00
3."Warrior"
Thayod Ausar2:47
4."On Fire"
3:07
5."I Get High" (featuring 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg)
Hi-Tek4:09
6."Playboy"
Ron Browz4:32
7."Work Magic" (featuring Young Buck)
Scram Jones4:27
8."If You So Gangsta"
3:31
9."Warrior, Pt. 2" (featuring Eminem, 50 Cent and Nate Dogg)
Eminem3:37
10."Karma"
Greg "Jinx" Doby4:38
11."When the Chips Are Down" (featuring The Game)
  • Black Jeruz
  • Sha Money XL
3:39
12."Til the End"
  • Lloyd
  • Mathers
Eminem5:09
13."Die One Day"
Baby Grand3:14
14."South Side Story"
The Diaz Brothers4:10
Total length:55:25
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Just Another Day"
  • Lloyd
  • Anthony Gilmour
  • Anthony Hester
Tone Capone3:31
16."Take a Good Look"
  • Lloyd
  • Justin Keith Henderson
  • Clervoix
  • J-Hen
  • Sha Money XL (co.)
2:54
Sample credits
Notes
  • Track 12 contains background vocals from Nate Dogg
  • The album was also released in a special edition, which featured a bonus track and different packaging (including a CD booklet on dollar bill-style paper). It also included a 25-minute DVD with the video for "My Buddy", a clip for "Smile" and "A Day in the Life of Lloyd Banks".[2]

Personnel

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  • Christopher "Lloyd Banks" Lloyd – vocals
  • Marvin "Tony Yayo" Bernard – vocals (track 1)
  • Yves "DJ Whoo Kid" Mondesir – additional vocals (track 2)
  • Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson – vocals (tracks: 5, 9), executive producer
  • Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus – vocals (track 5)
  • David "Young Buck" Brown – vocals (track 7)
  • Rhonda "Lady May" Robinson – additional vocals (track 8)
  • Marshall "Eminem" Mathers – vocals (track 9), producer (tracks: 9, 12), co-producer (track 4), mixing (tracks: 4, 9, 12)
  • Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale – vocals (tracks: 9, 12)
  • Kevin "KC" Cossom – additional vocals (track 10)
  • Jayceon "The Game" Taylor – vocals (track 11)
  • Kejuan "Havoc" Muchita – producer (track 1)
  • Rondell "Ron Browz" Turner – producer (track 2)
  • Eric "Thayod" Banks – producer (track 3)
  • Kwamé "K1 Mil" Holland – producer (track 4)
  • Luis Resto – additional producer (track 4)
  • Tony "Hi-Tek" Cottrell – producer (track 5)
  • Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley – producer (track 6)
  • Nathaniel "Danja" Hills – co-producer (track 6)
  • Marc "Scram Jones" Shemer – producer (track 7)
  • Chad Burnette – producer (track 8)
  • Michael "Sha Money XL" Clervoix – producer (tracks: 8, 11), recording (tracks: 11, 12, 14), co-executive producer
  • Greg "Jinx" Doby – producer (track 10)
  • Robert "Black Jeruz" Smith – producer (track 11)
  • Robert A. "Baby Grand" Adair – producer (track 13)
  • Hugo Diaz – producer (track 14)
  • Luis Diaz – producer (track 14)
  • Anthony "Tone Capone" Gilmour – producer (track 15)
  • Pat Viala – recording (tracks: 1, 2), mixing (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15)
  • Andy "Red Spyda" Thelusma – recording (track 3)
  • Steve Baughman – mixing (tracks: 3, 5)
  • Adrian Hall – recording (track 4)
  • Steve King – mixing (tracks: 4, 9, 12), recording (track 9)
  • Ky Miller – recording (tracks: 5, 6, 9)
  • Jimmy Douglass – recording & mixing (track 6)
  • Marcella Araica – mixing assistant (track 6)
  • Carlisle Young – recording (tracks: 7, 10), mixing (track 14)
  • Paul Gregory – recording (tracks: 13, 15)
  • Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering
  • Sacha Waldman – photography
  • Marcus Heisser – A&R
  • Otwane Roberts – A&R
  • Sheena Curry – A&R

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[38] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[40] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "G-UNIT'S LLOYD BANKS, YOUNG BUCK RECORDING SOLO ALBUMS". MTV. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Jonathan Cohen (May 19, 2004). Lloyd Banks Feeds The 'Hunger'. Billboard. Accessed October 22, 2007.
  3. ^ Lunny, Hugo (October 2006). "MVRemix Urban Interviews Lloyd Banks | G-Unit | US and Canadian Underground Hip Hop and Soul - exclusive interviews, reviews, articles". www.mvremix.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  4. ^ a b [1] Archived December 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Lloyd Banks, Michelle Branch, Hoobastank, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Usher & More". MTV. July 1, 2004. Archived from the original on July 7, 2004. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for The Hunger For More - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "The Hunger For More". AllHipHop. July 1, 2004. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Jeffries, David. "The Hunger for More - Lloyd Banks | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Blender :: The Guide". Blender. June–July 2004. p. 134. Archived from the original on October 19, 2006. Retrieved October 19, 2006 – via Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ a b "E! Online - Music - Lloyd Banks "Hunger for More"". E! Online. 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2005 – via Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ Ryce, Jeff (June 26, 2004). "Lloyd Banks - The Hunger For More". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Hilburn, Robert; Kuipers, Dean; Lewis, Randy (July 18, 2004). "Buzzes and bumbles abound". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  13. ^ Flanagan, Nick (July 8, 2004). "Lloyd Banks - NOW Magazine". NOW Toronto. Vol. 23, no. 45. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (June 29, 2004). "Lloyd Banks :: The Hunger for More – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (August 5, 2004). "Reviews | New CDs". Rolling Stone. No. 954. p. 113. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  16. ^ a b Conway, Rondell (July 22, 2004). "Revolutions". VIBE. p. 136. Archived from the original on March 7, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  17. ^ "G-Unit's Banks Cashes In On Billboard 200". Billboard. July 7, 2004. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  18. ^ "Banks Secures Another Week At No. 1". Billboard. July 14, 2004. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum - June 2004". Music Canada. October 18, 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  20. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 24.
  21. ^ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 2nd August 2004" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (753): 16. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023 – via Pandora Archive.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Lloyd Banks – The Hunger For More" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  23. ^ "Lloyd Banks Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  24. ^ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. July 29, 2004. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  25. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lloyd Banks – The Hunger For More" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  26. ^ "Lescharts.com – Lloyd Banks – The Hunger For More". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  27. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lloyd Banks – The Hunger For More" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  28. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Lloyd Banks". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  30. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lloyd Banks – The Hunger For More". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  31. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  32. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  33. ^ "Lloyd Banks Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  34. ^ "Lloyd Banks Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  35. ^ "Lloyd Banks Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  36. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  37. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  38. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Lloyd Banks". Music Canada. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  39. ^ "British album certifications – Lloyd Banks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 20, 2024. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Lloyd Banks in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  40. ^ "American album certifications – Lloyd Banks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

See also

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