When Lloyd Banks released Huger For More in 2004, everyone knew the bar was set high for his second solo album. Banks exceeded these high expectations and showed he doesn’t need G-Unit to make the great tracks in his new album Rotten Apple.

The 16 track creation is not like most hip hop heard on the radio. The beats are slowed down and the lyrics have deeper meaning than club favorites “Laffy Taffy” and “Lean wit it Rock wit it”. Banks has matured enormously since 2004 and it shows in this album.

Dropping out of high school before his 16th birthday, Lloyd began performing his rhymes on street corners, where he gained local fame and appeared on several mixtapes. Llyoyd Banks brings this New York street experience and mentality into thiw new album.

The album starts off with the self-tiled track Rotten Apple. The beat is good by itself, and the flow of Banks lyrics work beautifully. Not to mention, he gets a little help from fellow G-Unit member 50-Cent. A listener could not ask for a better opening track.

My personal favorite is the Eminem produced “Hands Up”. The lyrics are in perfect sync with the best beat on the track. For example, “I cruise through the strip 22’s on the whip new rule: gonna hit thousand dollar outfit never snooze never slip Follow rules or get whip.” “Make a Move” also has a very fast beat and the best chorus on the CD. The song is a blue print of what G-Unit rap is.

However, track 12 “Change” has no flow. The words just seem to be forced out of Banks mouth. Make sure it hit the skip button on this one.

Rotten Apple is definitely an album worth listening to more then once. It’s a great example of what true gangster rap is all about. Some say there is nothing new or fresh on the album and Banks “played it safe.” Meaning he did the same old thing from 2004.

That may be true, but why change something that works? Banks delivers big with this new album, and for any fan of gritty gangster rap, I encourage you to pick up and copy of this one.